Beta Nu Chapter: Rich 85-Year History Continues
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International organization is a professional honor society for women educators with more than 83,000 members. Established in 17 member countries around the world, the Society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
In Marlin, “Beta Nu Chapter (of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International) was organized November 2, 1935, by Founder and Alpha State Executive Secretary, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. Beta Nu’s first chapter meeting after organization was held February 8, 1936, in the Falls Hotel. The chapter was formed from Beta Beta Chapter and was ceded Falls, Milam, and Robertson Counties as membership territory. Miss Agnes Peyton, Beta Beta member who worked for the formation of the new chapter, was Beta Nu’s first president.”
“Chapter projects since 1937 have included White Elephant collections, Red Cross, War Bonds, legislative contact concerning teacher welfare, adoption of twelve teachers in England, books for a high school in the Philippines, volunteer service in hospitals and rest homes, placement of the Bulletin in local libraries, and collection of souvenirs for delegations to National and International conventions. Financial aid was given toward other projects: school children in Nigeria; handicapped children; Stillwell Home; teachers in an Oregon high school; Dr. Lola Green Equal Pay Expense Fund; establishment of chapters in Sweden and in Mexico; and a memorial for Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. In 1966-1967, a Future Teachers’ program and a Beta Nu Scholarship Fund were started. It awards a scholarship to a high school graduate who plans to enter the teaching profession.”
In continuing years, Beta Nu Chapter service projects “included Library Books for Rosebud Public Library, Art Supplies for the Women’s Shelter, donated money to the town of West after their explosion, baby supplies for the Place of Hope, food for the Marlin Food Bank, and befriending one family of need during the Christmas holidays. The (Beta Nu) chapter cherishes its history… and looks forward to the future with renewed awareness of the purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.”
Beta Nu Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, recently reported to the state and international organization on the election of local chapter officers. Officers for 2020-2022 of Beta Nu Chapter are President Letitia Estep, Vice President Shirley Wilson, Treasurer Dr. Marlene Zipperlen, and Secretary Sheila Lawson. Former President Phyllis Macmillan serves as Parliamentarian and Editor of the newsletter.
According to Ms. Estep, her involvement as president of Beta Nu Chapter allows her to lend administrative, organization skills, a background in graphic arts, a focus fine-tuned in teaching multiple disciplines in high school, and the high energy required to lead the execution of a plan to fit the chapter’s needs. As president of Beta Nu, she will direct the activities of the chapter, involve members and promote the vision, mission, and seven purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, and attend the State Executive Board meetings and represent the chapter as a voting member.
She says, “Beta Nu members experience genuine spiritual fellowship with other women educators of the world. Once early-career educators ourselves, we understand that early-career educators have more than supply needs.” Too, Beta Nu Chapter is involved in international and state scholarships and grants for personal, professional and classroom needs. She continues, “We are here to encourage each other’s participation in appropriate programs of action…(and)…to honor women who have given or who evidence a potential for distinctive service in any field of education.” (Purposes of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International)
Beta Nu Chapter members stay abreast of current economic, political and educational issues at local, state and national levels. They encourage member participation in the legislative and political process and encourage support of desirable legislation in the interest of education and of women educators.
Programs this year include guest speakers: MISD Superintendent Dr. Darryl Henson on Goals of Marlin Schools; Law Enforcement Officer on Safety for Women, and; Health Professional on Women’s Health.
Beta Nu chapter projects for this year include providing a collection of Newberry books to the MISD school library, baskets of apples for the teachers during Public School Week, and goodie bags for women teachers. It also will continue its support of the member educator in Africa.
Plans are to visit the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International headquarters building in Austin, Texas. Members will visit, as they have in the past, fellow members throughout Falls County and member resident of Stillwell Retirement Residence for Teachers in Waco.
Beta Nu members plan to attend Area 8 Virtual Training Workshop on August 15th. Members also plan to attend the 92nd Texas State Convention, June 16-18, 2021, in Denton, TX, where they will join other organization members from throughout the state for training, personal and professional growth.
Information about Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is available at http://www.dkg.org.
Resources include: Beta Nu Minutes, Vol. l-V, and Chapter Yearbooks, 1936-1979; Beta Beta Yearbook, 1936; Beta Nu Charter Book and Presidents’ Reports; clippings from Lone Star News, Vol.11, January, 1936; “Campus Roundup,” Waco-Tribune Herald, January 7, 1979.
This history is taken primarily from a report by the Beta Nu History Committee, 1978-1979 composed of Chairman Mary Lee Stubbs, Lillian Romain, and Beta Nu President Elizabeth Holloway, 1978-1980.
History of Beta Nu Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was originally presented at the Chapter Executive Meeting, Rosebud, Texas.