Descriptive Summary

Organizational History

Twelve Texas women who represented a cross section of work in education founded the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society in 1929. Seven basic purposes govern the activities of chapters and state organizations as well as the work of members, officers, and committees at each level: To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship; To honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education; To advance the professional interest and position of women in education; To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interest of education and of women educators; To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to women educators from other countries; To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action; To inform the membership of current economic, social, political, and educational issues to the end that they may become intelligent, functioning members of a world society.

Alpha Pi State, the state level of Delta Kappa Gamma, was founded in South Dakota in 1940. Sixteen state founders and 25 state charter members were initiated into Delta Kappa Gamma at that time and charged with the task of returning to their communities to set up local chapters of the organization. The Alpha Chapter was chartered April 11, 1942, in Rapid City. In September 1958, the South Dakota Alpha Pi State Executive determined that the Alpha Chapter should be divided into two chapters due to its size. It was unanimously decided at a January 17, 1959, meeting of the Alpha Chapter that they would indeed split the chapter into two. The new chapter would include Lawrence, Butte, Mead, Perkins, and Harding counties. The new Iota chapter installation was held April 25, 1959. There were 39 charter members, and the first meeting was held Sept. 26, 1959. The first officers for the Iota chapter were Arline Autio, president; Elsie Wood, first vice-president; Frances Baum, second vice-president; Doris Phillips, recording secretary; Irene Twoford, corresponding secretary; and Mina Jerde, treasurer. As of 2007, the Iota Chapter is still thriving with 148 members and five regular meetings each year.

Scope and Contents

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Alpha Pi State, Chapter rules, Guidelines, Minutes, Treasurer's Cash Book, Transmittals to Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Membership Status Report, Annual Report of the Chapter Treasurer, Miscellaneous Treasurer's Records, Local Reports to Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, History of Iota Chapter, Memorials and/or necrologies, Guess Who's Etc, Chapter Chatter, Collects, Memorabilia, Miscellaneous, Scrapbook, Obituary, Handbook, Program Manual, Constitution, Convention Reports, Bylaws.

Preferred Citation

Delta Kappa Gamma, IOTA Chapter Papers, Leland D. Case Western Historical Studies

Processing Information

Dora Jones

Inventory

Box 1: Delta Kappa Gamma Society International- Ceremonials, Rituals 1950 Purposes 197?, Golden Anniversary 1929-1979. Alpha Pi State- History 1940-1990, Programs 1973-1993, Convention 1983, 1990, State Reports 1991, Chapter Rules 1986 & 1991, Guidelines for Iota Achievement Award, Guidelines for Grant-in-Aid Award, Guidelines for Iota Scholarship, Minutes 1959-1971/72. Box 2: Minutes 1972/73-1991/92, Treasurer's Cash Book 1959/60-1975/76. Box 3: Transmittals to Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 1964/65-1985/86, Membership Status Reports 1982-89, Annual Report of the Chapter Treasurer 1959/60-1986/87, Miscellaneous Treasurer's Records 1964/65-1985, Local Reports to Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 1985-1987, History of Iota Chapter 1959-1992, Memorials and/or necrologies 1970-1993, Guess Who's Etc, 1985-1990, Chapter Chatter 1980-1994, Collects. Box 4: Memorabilia, Miscellaneous yearbook pages. Box 5: Scrapbook 1990-1992, Obituary 1996, Leadership for Education Tribute to Opal King 1996, Memorial Cards 1996, 1998. Box 6: Handbook 1987, 1995, Guidelines 1994, 1996, 1998, 1994-1998 Program Manual, International Stating Rules 1994, Constitution, Chapter Rules 1991, Convention Program 1996, Financial Reports 1996, Biennium Reports 1994-1996, Bylaws. Directories; 1996-1997-1998, 1998-1999-2000, 2000-2001-2002.