Beta Nu Chapter Members attend DKG 95th Texas State Organization Convention
Dare to Dream! SOAR!
The Sky is not the limit. It is the beginning!
Texas women educators (almost 900 of them!) met in Denton to celebrate the Founders’ 95th Anniversary of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International at the Texas State Organization 95th Convention. The DKG Texas State Organization 95th Convention 2025 was held at the Embassy Suites Convention Halls in Denton, TX, on June 23-27, 2025. Beta Nu Chapter (Marlin) members, President Shirley Wilson, Parliamentarian Phyllis Macmillan, and Secretary Letitia Estep were present.
Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) is an organization of key women educators across the globe. DKG was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1929. Currently, DKG is in 17 countries and all 50 states. The mission is to “Promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.”Beta Nu Chapter was organized on November 2, 1935, in Marlin, Texas, by Founder and Alpha state Executive Secretary, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton.
The Texas Organization, also known as Alpha State, was the first state organization founded on May 11, 1929. Texas has slightly over 9,000 members and approximately 270 chapters across the State. Members of the State of Texas Organization are automatically members of the Texas Foundation: Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF).
The purpose of DKG Society International is: 1.
To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship. 2. To Honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education. 3. To Advance the professional interest and position of women in education. 4. To initiate, endorse, and support desirable legislation or other suitable endeavors in the interests of education and of women educators. 5. To endow scholarships to aid outstanding women educators in pursuing graduate study and to grant fellowships to non-member women educators.. 6. To stimulate the personal and professional growth of members and to encourage their participation in appropriate programs of action. 7. To inform the members of current economic, social, political, and educational issues so that they may participate effectively in a world society The purpose of the Foundation is to be the funding arm for three special components of Texas’ organization: Scholarships, Leadership, and Projects. Scholarships are awarded to members seeking advanced degrees or additional certification as well as to women pursuing a degree in education with the purpose of becoming a teacher. Leadership’s purpose is to expand leadership training for members by funding a Leadership Seminar held in odd-numbered years and to provide speakers and presentations held annually at the Texas State Organization Convention. Projects are awarded to chapters and individual members to help them pursue a project that addresses a need in their local schools and/or communities while maintaining the mission of the Foundation: “To provide funding for activities that support professional and personal growth of women educators in Texas and to promote educational excellence for Texas students.”
This year, the collective service project was collecting funds for the DKG IEF Emergency Fund, an initiative that has been a lifeline for many members since its inception in 1948.
This fund provides crucial assistance to members who have suffered major losses due to natural disasters, offering a grant of $500 to help with immediate needs during difficult times.
The DKG Society International Representative was Candace (Candi) Martin, First Vice President, Arkansas. She applauded, “The futures that have been influenced by these educators cannot be overstated.”
Awards were presented.
Awards included Five-Star Chapter Newsletters and Member in Print (Published in a Professional Journal, Self-Published Book, Wrote a Chapter in a Collection of Articles Published in Book Form, and Published a Series of Three or More Articles Which Deal with Education).
There were also members in the Print Creative Essay Literary Awards.
A Leadership Seminar was held. A Proposed Budget Report was presented and discussed, as were the State Convention Rules.
The Birthday Luncheon featured “Finding the Key to Completing the DKG Puzzle,” led by Dr. Barbara Derrick, Epsilon Sigma, TSO Ceremonies Chair, and Ceremonies Committee Members. There was the Recognition of 50/50+ Years Memberships. The Presentation of ASTEF Advocate for Education Award and Presentation of Golden Rose and State Achievement Awards were made.
The guest speaker of the ASTEF ticketed event was Dave Lieber, the national award-winning “Watchdog” columnist in The Dallas Morning News, known for his investigative reporting and storytelling.
Lieber’s columns focus on topics such as consumer advocacy, public accountability, and ethics in government and business.
In addition to the TSO Business Meeting, Celebration of Life, Founders and Presidents Banquet, and the Installation of Officers, there were the coveted breakout sessions.
Breakout sessions included Kenya, An Educational Safari; Encouraging Innovation to Foster a Collaborative Culture; Soaring to Reading Excellence.
A Research-based Intervention Model for K-3rd Readers in South Texas: The World is Coming to our Classroom. There were also Building Capacity for Student Mental Health: Insights from the Mental Health Matters Grant and Educator Tools; Seven Steps to a Language-Rich Classroom; Digital Hygiene: How to Identify Scams and Protect Yourself; America the Beautiful: 1776-2025; What I Know About the Texas Government and the Passing of a Bill; and more.
Amongst over 92 different sessions for educators, past or present, was this one: Never Give Up on a Kid: A Teacher’s Tale.
Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, faculty member at the University of Texas and first woman elected to a Texas statewide office, conceived the idea of an honor organization for women educators and selected eleven from Texas to help her create “The Delta Kappa Gamma Society”.
A continuing principle of educators continues to be NEVER GIVE UP ON A KID.