History of DKG

Historically Speaking

Why this organization, now (1929)?
Although universal suffrage had been the law of the land since 1920, there existed many social and professional limitations for women teachers. Also, there was little opportunity for women to learn leadership in professional associations, which were always led by men. Therefore, Annie Webb Blanton saw the need for a special organization whose members would be bound by rather close ties (to counteract the common perception that women could not work or stand together).

Why the “dress code” (hats and gloves)?
Women teachers in the 1920’s were poorly educated (nearly all were elementary teachers with Normal Degrees), poorly paid, single, and held in esteem comparable to housewives.

Dr. Blanton lectured them, sixty years ahead of the Dress for Success movement that only if they dressed and behaved like ladies could they expect to be taken seriously.

Why the World Fellowships program?
After 1945 the political, financial and social conditions in Europe left the educational system in a shambles. All too soon, the same conditions existed in Korea.

Many state organizations and chapters plunged enthusiastically into projects to help teachers and schools in countries ravaged by war. It soon became evident that a concerted, Society-wide effort was needed to address this enormous problem.

The program has been broadened to include any woman student from a foreign country, and is now carried forth by the World Fellowships Committee. Aid to schools and teachers is available through the Educational Foundation. Both are still supported entirely by contributions by our members.

Why the push for doctorates?

Since women were routinely excluded from decision-making and policy decisions at all levels, the only avenue toward administrative opportunities and equal pay was graduate study.

Many barriers of discrimination have been breached and glass ceilings broken by the advanced training attainable through Delta Kappa Gamma scholarships.

Why the Golden Gift Fund?

As the Society approached its 50th anniversary in 1979, the idea was formed to amass a large sum of money through voluntary contributions—the Golden Gift Fund.

The members then voted on the use of the interest from these funds and decided that the greatest need was for advanced training in management and leadership. Thus, the Leadership/Management Seminar was born with two weeks of intensive professional training at a business school currently held at the University of Texas in Austin.​