Founding Nu Chapter The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
In the fall of 1929 Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was interested in organizing a Delta Kappa Gamma chapter in San Marcos. She met with Dr. C. E. Evans, President of Southwest Texas Teachers College, Dr. L. J. Berry, superintendent of the San Marcos Public schools, Miss Wilma Allen, Hays county School superintendent, Mr. J. E. Franklin, President of the San Marcos Baptist Academy, and other leaders in the field of education. The purpose of the meeting was to compile a list of outstanding women teachers in the area. These would be invited to join the newly formed Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
The selected teachers received mysterious letters with strange symbols in January, 1930. These were invitations to a meeting that was to be held in the mezzanine of the Spring Lake Hotel (on the grounds of what is now the Aqurena complex). Dr. Blanton was there and explained the purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society and of plans for a chapter in San Marcos. She invited those who were interested to Austin on March 29, 1930 for initiation and organization of Nu Chapter. Those who attended the Austin meeting are the Charter members of Nu Chapter.
In May, 1930 the first local meeting was held in living room of the San Marcos Baptist Academy. At this time most meetings were held in member’s homes or in one of the schools if a large crowd was expected.
Annual dues in these early years were $3.00 with a $1.00 scholarship fee. A life membership could be purchased for $30.00. The first local initiation was held in the Home Economics Department of Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Among those initiated was Ethyl Reed who became an honorary charter member. In May, 1948, Blanco County was added to Nu Chapter’s area of membership.
Kitty Clyde Leonard became the first of many members from Blanco County.
In the years since the establishment, Nu Chapter continues to follow the purposes set by our founders in 1929:
We provide an environment that fosters a spiritual fellowship among women educators.
We promote educational endeavors of women educators;
We support scholarships at the local and International levels; encourage personal and professional growth;
We initiate and endorse legislation that promotes interests of women educators;
We keep our members informed about current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they can participate effectively in the current world society.
However, some of the traditions are no longer in use. For example, we no longer wear long dresses for ceremonials. Also, the secrecy around nominations for membership no longer exists. However, Nu Chapter still uses a unique item in initiation ceremonies. It is a brass bowl that was made for the chapter by member, Minnie Stanford, a teacher of art of Coronal Institute (where the current Lamar facility of San Macos Consolidated School District is located).
Major anniversary celebrations were held in 1980 for the 50th and 2005 for the 75th.
Hopefully, our young initiates will be holding a major celebration for Nu’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
In the fall of 1929 Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was interested in organizing a Delta Kappa Gamma chapter in San Marcos. She met with Dr. C. E. Evans, President of Southwest Texas Teachers College, Dr. L. J. Berry, superintendent of the San Marcos Public schools, Miss Wilma Allen, Hays county School superintendent, Mr. J. E. Franklin, President of the San Marcos Baptist Academy, and other leaders in the field of education. The purpose of the meeting was to compile a list of outstanding women teachers in the area. These would be invited to join the newly formed Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
The selected teachers received mysterious letters with strange symbols in January, 1930. These were invitations to a meeting that was to be held in the mezzanine of the Spring Lake Hotel (on the grounds of what is now the Aqurena complex). Dr. Blanton was there and explained the purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society and of plans for a chapter in San Marcos. She invited those who were interested to Austin on March 29, 1930 for initiation and organization of Nu Chapter. Those who attended the Austin meeting are the Charter members of Nu Chapter.
In May, 1930 the first local meeting was held in living room of the San Marcos Baptist Academy. At this time most meetings were held in member’s homes or in one of the schools if a large crowd was expected.
Annual dues in these early years were $3.00 with a $1.00 scholarship fee. A life membership could be purchased for $30.00. The first local initiation was held in the Home Economics Department of Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Among those initiated was Ethyl Reed who became an honorary charter member. In May, 1948, Blanco County was added to Nu Chapter’s area of membership.
Kitty Clyde Leonard became the first of many members from Blanco County.
In the years since the establishment, Nu Chapter continues to follow the purposes set by our founders in 1929:
We provide an environment that fosters a spiritual fellowship among women educators.
We promote educational endeavors of women educators;
We support scholarships at the local and International levels; encourage personal and professional growth;
We initiate and endorse legislation that promotes interests of women educators;
We keep our members informed about current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they can participate effectively in the current world society.
However, some of the traditions are no longer in use. For example, we no longer wear long dresses for ceremonials. Also, the secrecy around nominations for membership no longer exists. However, Nu Chapter still uses a unique item in initiation ceremonies. It is a brass bowl that was made for the chapter by member, Minnie Stanford, a teacher of art of Coronal Institute (where the current Lamar facility of San Macos Consolidated School District is located).
Major anniversary celebrations were held in 1980 for the 50th and 2005 for the 75th.
Hopefully, our young initiates will be holding a major celebration for Nu’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
Founding Nu Chapter, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International
In the fall of 1929 Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was interested in organizing a Delta kappa Gamma chapter in San Marcos. She met with Dr. C. E. Evans, President of Southwest Texas Teachers College, Dr. L. J. Berry, superintendent of the San Marcos Public schools, Miss Wilma Allen, Hays county School superintendent, Mr. J. E. Franklin, President of the San Marcos Baptist Academy, and other leaders in the field of education. The purpose of the meeting was to compile a list of outstanding women teachers in the area. These would be invited to join the newly formed Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
The selected teachers received mysterious letters with strange symbols in January, 1930. These were invitations to a meeting that was to be held in the mezzanine of the Spring Lake Hotel (on the grounds of what is now the Aqurena complex). Dr. Blanton was there and explained the purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society and of plans for a chapter in San Marcos. She invited those who were interested to Austin on March 29, 1930 for initiation and organization of Nu Chapter. Those who attended the Austin meeting are the Charter members of Nu Chapter.
In May, 1930 the first local meeting was held in living room of the San Marcos Baptist Academy. At this time most meetings were held in member’s homes or in one of the schools if a large crowd was expected. Annual dues in these early years were $3.00 with a $1.00 scholarship fee. A life membership could be purchased for $30.00. The first local initiation was held in the Home Economics Department of Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Among those initiated was Ethyl Reed who became an honorary charter member. In May, 1948, Blanco County was added to Nu Chapter’s area of membership. Kitty Clyde Leonard became the first of many members from Blanco County.
In the years since the establishment, Nu Chapter continues to follow the purposes set by our founders in 1929:
We provide an environment that fosters a spiritual fellowship among women educators
We promote educational endeavors of women educators;
We support scholarships at the local and International levels; encourage personal and professional growth;
We initiate and endorse legislation that promotes interests of women educators;
We keep our members informed about current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they can participate effectively in the current world society.
However, some of the traditions are no longer in use. For example, we no longer wear long dresses for ceremonials. Also, the secrecy around nominations for membership no longer exists. However, Nu Chapter still uses a unique item in initiation ceremonies. It is a brass bowl that was made for the chapter by member, Minnie Stanford, a teacher of art of Coronal Institute (where the current Lamar facility of San Macos Consolidated School District is located).
Major anniversary celebrations were held in 1980 for the 50th and 2005 for the 75th. Hopefully, our young initiates will be holding a major celebration for Nu’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
This document was compiled by Evelyn Barrett with information taken from Ethyl Reed’s presentation at the 50th anniversary celebration in March, 1980, and in consultation with Ruth Spear, Nu Chapter’s 50+
year member.
In the fall of 1929 Dr. Annie Webb Blanton was interested in organizing a Delta kappa Gamma chapter in San Marcos. She met with Dr. C. E. Evans, President of Southwest Texas Teachers College, Dr. L. J. Berry, superintendent of the San Marcos Public schools, Miss Wilma Allen, Hays county School superintendent, Mr. J. E. Franklin, President of the San Marcos Baptist Academy, and other leaders in the field of education. The purpose of the meeting was to compile a list of outstanding women teachers in the area. These would be invited to join the newly formed Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
The selected teachers received mysterious letters with strange symbols in January, 1930. These were invitations to a meeting that was to be held in the mezzanine of the Spring Lake Hotel (on the grounds of what is now the Aqurena complex). Dr. Blanton was there and explained the purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society and of plans for a chapter in San Marcos. She invited those who were interested to Austin on March 29, 1930 for initiation and organization of Nu Chapter. Those who attended the Austin meeting are the Charter members of Nu Chapter.
In May, 1930 the first local meeting was held in living room of the San Marcos Baptist Academy. At this time most meetings were held in member’s homes or in one of the schools if a large crowd was expected. Annual dues in these early years were $3.00 with a $1.00 scholarship fee. A life membership could be purchased for $30.00. The first local initiation was held in the Home Economics Department of Southwest Texas State Teachers College. Among those initiated was Ethyl Reed who became an honorary charter member. In May, 1948, Blanco County was added to Nu Chapter’s area of membership. Kitty Clyde Leonard became the first of many members from Blanco County.
In the years since the establishment, Nu Chapter continues to follow the purposes set by our founders in 1929:
We provide an environment that fosters a spiritual fellowship among women educators
We promote educational endeavors of women educators;
We support scholarships at the local and International levels; encourage personal and professional growth;
We initiate and endorse legislation that promotes interests of women educators;
We keep our members informed about current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they can participate effectively in the current world society.
However, some of the traditions are no longer in use. For example, we no longer wear long dresses for ceremonials. Also, the secrecy around nominations for membership no longer exists. However, Nu Chapter still uses a unique item in initiation ceremonies. It is a brass bowl that was made for the chapter by member, Minnie Stanford, a teacher of art of Coronal Institute (where the current Lamar facility of San Macos Consolidated School District is located).
Major anniversary celebrations were held in 1980 for the 50th and 2005 for the 75th. Hopefully, our young initiates will be holding a major celebration for Nu’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
This document was compiled by Evelyn Barrett with information taken from Ethyl Reed’s presentation at the 50th anniversary celebration in March, 1980, and in consultation with Ruth Spear, Nu Chapter’s 50+
year member.
Updated 10/30/2023