Eta State Highlights

Twelve women educators in Austin, Texas, founded the Delta Kappa Gamma Society in 1929. Texas assumed the designation of Alpha State. On October 27, 1934, North Carolina became the seventh state to join the organization and thus was given the seventh letter of the Greek alphabet, Eta (pronounced ay-tah). North Carolina membership is over 4,000 with 103 Eta State Chapters.  Eta State is within the Southeast Region of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Eta State complies with the Constitution of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International but has its own bylaws. Some of the distinguishing features of Eta State are:

1.   Eta State conducts workshops to provide leadership    training for women educators
        a. For Eta State elected officers and new state committee chairman (in odd-numbered years)
        b. For designated new chapter officers and committee chairmen (in even-numbered years)
        c. For the general membership (in odd-numbered years and other times)

2. Eta State sponsors three scholarships for doctoral or sixth-year graduate study; the Gilbert-McNairy Scholarship, the Emmons-Flintom Scholarship, and the Hunter-Moore Scholarship. Funds may also be awarded for other post-baccalaureate work and non-degree activities such as National Board Certification renewal

3.  Eta State presents a Founders Award in odd-numbered years to a woman who has made a notable contribution to the quality of life through education, research, publications or service in North Carolina. She must be a resident of North Carolina and may or may not be a member of the Society.

4.  Eta State is divided into 11 regions. Regional Directors, appointed by the state president, serve as a liaison between the chapter and the state.

5.  Eta State holds a state convention each spring to transact business, to conduct workshops and to award scholarships.

6.  Eta State purchased a building in Asheboro to serve as its headquarters in 1998. 

7.  Eta State publishes the Eta State News, which is made available to all members four times annually.

8.  Eta State publishes Eta Data which is sent electronically to all chapter presidents, editors and state leaders monthly.

8. Outstanding women, not eligible for active membership in the Society, are elected to honorary membership in Eta State.

ETA STATE FOUNDERS

Miss Nora Beust
Dr. Cordelia Camp
Miss Nancy Devers
Miss Iona Dunn
Dr. Mildred English
Miss Ruth Fitzgerald
Mrs. Ruby Gouge
Miss Marguerite M. Herr
Miss Sallie B. Marks
Dr. Hattie Parrott
Miss Mary Reade Smith
Dr. Lucile Turner


ETA STATE HONORARY MEMBERS

Mrs. Elaine Marshall
Mrs. Betty Ray McCain
Mrs. Beverly Perdue

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