The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Omicron Chapter Wilson & Greene Counties Region II North Carolina
History of Omicron Chapter
Omicron Chapter has budded, bloomed and is in the process of branching. This is a good time to reexamine her roots in Delta Kappa Gamma. They reach back almost 50 years ago. Delta Kappa Gamma International was founded on May 11, 1929, at the Faculty Woman’s Club of the University of Texas in Austin.
The idea of an honorary organization for women educators came to Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, who was at that time a member of the faculty. She had been formerly state superintendent of instruction and she knew many dedicated women educators in Texas. She called on eleven of them to help her found the Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
The founders believed there was a need for an organization that would represent all types of women educators—librarians, supervisors, administrators, and teachers from kindergarten through the universities.
Dr. Blanton conceived the structure of the society as comprising three levels—the local chapter, the state organization, and the national chapter. No doubt she may even have envisioned a future Delta Kappa Gamma International.
At all levels the organization would be united in efforts to advance professional preparation and performance and to secure a fairer recognition of the service women contribute to education.
Now forty-nine years later, Miss Ray King[1] is the only one of these far-sighted ladies living today, but the society they founded has expanded into more than twenty-five hundred chapters in all fifty states and the District of Columbia and in ten countries outside the United States. The total membership is over 136,000.
By July of 1934 a national chapter had been founded in Washington, D.C. Three of the charter members were educators from North Carolina—Miss Cordelia Camp, Miss Nancy Devers, and Miss Hattie Parrott. Scarcely three months after their induction in the National Chapter, they founded a state chapter in North Carolina. They nominated nine other women, prominent in education in the state, and the twelve women became the charter members of Eta State. They met at the Sir Walter Hotel, Saturday evening, October 27, 1934, for their induction. The president of the National Chapter conducted the initiation.
The founders of Eta State moved fast to divide the state into territories and to found chapters. Miss Parrott, for one, guided twelve chapters into being. In spite of the depression chapters grew and expanded. When a chapter was large enough to expand, some of its members would become charter members of a new chapter. Usually, they divided the territory between them, or sometimes a chapter would expand, as we have planned to do, and occupied the same territory with a coordinating council. Under the guidance of Miss Parrott, Iota Chapter, centralized in Goldsboro was organized in January of 1941. Twelve prominent educators in Wilson were inducted into the growing Iota Chapter. The twelve inductees along with two other Wilson teachers became the charter members of a chapter in Wilson. Under Miss Parrott’s guidance Omicron Chapter was organized on April 14, 1945. The President of Iota conducted the initiation.
The first meeting of Omicron was held on October 26, 1945 at the home of Miss Sadie Vinson. The hostesses serving with Miss Vinson were Miss Emily Langley, Miss Bess Saunders, and Mrs. Minnie Lamm. Mrs. Edwina Wells, the president, presided. It was planned that four meetings should be held during the year with initiation of new members to take place in the fall of each year.
Dr. Mildred Hartsock, chairman of the program committee, presented these topics for the year’s study: the Personal Life of a Teacher, International Relationships, and Education in the Post-War World. Other members present that day were Miss Ethel Bynum, Mrs. Carrie Coon, Mrs. Eva Eicher, Mrs. Dorothy Hinton, Mrs. Sallie Klingenschmitt, Mrs. Eloise Lovel, Miss Bessie Massengill, and Mrs. Hazel Rose.
Omicron is blessed that seven of these influential educators are members today, six of them active in work: Miss Ethel Bynum, Dr. Mildred Hartsock, Mrs. Dorothy Hinton, Mrs. Minnie Lamm, Mrs. Eloise Lovel, Mrs. Hazel Rose, and Miss Sadie Vinson.
Probably the most outstanding achievement of Omicron during those early years was the organization of a daughter chapter in Kinston. Twelve members from the Kinston area became eager to spread the work of Delta Kappa Gamma and the fellowship they had enjoyed in Omicron in a chapter of their own. In May of 1948 Sigma Chapter was founded in Kinston. Omicron continued to feel a deep interest and close fellowship with her daughter chapter. The two celebrated together with a mother-daughter-granddaughter banquet.
And now, thirty years after that first division of Omicron, the membership is meeting the challenge of still another expansion. It is hoped that the early enthusiasm for spreading the fellowship and work of Delta Kappa Gamma flourished in the chapters formed. Growth and expansion will continue by reaching worthy educators yet untapped by the Delta Kappa Gamma—particularly the young ones—so that they may enjoy the fruits of Delta Kappa Gamma and carry on her good works.
Omicron Chapter Expands History Continued
The expansion of Omicron Chapter took place at the meeting held on March 4, 1978. At that time a slate of officers for each chapter was presented, and Gamma Mu members convened in their new group to elect officers for the coming biennium.
Work toward this expansion of Omicron Chapter began in an Executive Committee meeting on May 22, 1976. At that time President Betty Abernathy delegated to the policies Committee and the chairmen of all other Omicron committees the responsibility of studying ways and means for expansion. Under the leadership of Mary Hadge Roberson, chairman of the Policies Committee, and the willing cooperation of Omicron members, the division of Omicron into two sister chapters became possible. It was agreed that two honorary members and the seven charter members remain in the chapter designated as Omicron. The remaining membership was divided into two groups, with an attempt made to give each a balanced age and professional area distribution. To determine which group would remain Omicron and which would become charter members of Gamma Mu, a coin was tossed.
Thus, a sister chapter was formed. Today, the same as it was expressed in the history presented on March 4, 1978, “It is hoped that the early enthusiasm for spreading the fellowship and work of Delta Kappa Gamma flourishes in the chapters formed. Growth and expansion will continue by reaching worthy educators yet untapped by Delta Kappa Gamma—particularly the young ones—so that they may enjoy the fruits of delta Kappa Gamma and carry on her good works.”[2]
Omicron Continues to Expand in Numbers and Programs History Continued
Summer-- 2006
After the sister chapter Gamma Mu was formed, Omicron Chapter began the new biennium with forty-nine members. Under Jeanette Brooks’ leadership, a Coordinating Council for the two chapters was started, and a joint yearly meeting was set to be held each December. Carolyn Hunt, the state’s first lady, was tapped as a state honorary member of Delta Kappa Gamma with membership in Omicron Chapter. A memorial scholarship was established following the deaths of two of Omicron’s charter members: Dr. Mildred Hartsock in December of 1980 and Miss Ethel Bynum in January of 1981. Also, during Etta Eatman’s presidency, the first telephone committee was established, and the decision was made to contribute yearly to the Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) programs in Wilson and Greene counties.
The next several years saw Omicron members busy not only with local chapter activities but also with regional and state workshops and meetings. In addition, several members received local and state accolades for outstanding contributions to education. Miss Minnie Lamm, a charter member, was recognized for establishing three $10,000 scholarship trusts at Campbell University in memory of family members. Miss Ruby Shackleford was elected president of the North Carolina Poetry Society and was published in the Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin. Miss Edna E. Boykin was elected to the Wilson City Council.
The Omicron Chapter continued to grow in membership as outstanding new initiates were inducted. Enriching programs highlighted the meetings during the presidencies of Mrs. Dorothy Bailey, Mrs. Miriam Dunn, Mrs. Ruth Cunningham, and Mrs. Pantice Smith. To raise money for the ACC Recruitment Grant established in 1979, a raffle for donated items made by members was held—a fundraiser that is still in existence today.
Judge Naomi E. Morris, a state honorary Delta Kappa Gamma member who was a member of Omicron Chapter and a former judge of the Court of Court of appeals, died in September, 1986.
During the early 1990’s, the feasibility of further expansion of the Omicron Chapter was reviewed by a committee appointed by President Rose Williams and was continued as a focal concern during the presidency of Julia Rand. Based on several discussions and an informal verbal survey, the committee determined that the opposition to a division was too strong for a recommendation to the general membership at that time.
Facing the urgency of encouraging more students to enter careers in education, Omicron, led by President Dianne Pridgen, implemented a grant-in-aid program for aspiring educators to be funded by an annual raffle or another fundraiser. The recipient(s) each year would be selected from applications submitted by seniors from the public high schools of Wilson and Greene Counties.
Throughout the stalwart leadership of Presidents Suzanne Reynolds and Barbara Tomlinson, Omicron joined the Eta State efforts toward raising funds for a new headquarters to be located in Asheboro, North Carolina. Contributions from chapters across the state made this dream a reality; the new building was dedicated on Saturday, March 20, 1999.
During the latter years of this decade, a reexamination of the Omicron Chapter Standing Rules and the chapter committee responsibilities indicated an obvious need for several updates. Over a period of time, additions and revisions were presented to the members and appropriately recorded in the chapter handbook.
With enthusiasm and tremendous effort, Omicron assisted other Region II chapters in hosting the Eta State Convention at the Sheraton Hotel and Convention Center in New Bern, on April 23-25, 1999. During one of the convention sessions, Omicron was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for its outstanding generous support for the state and local literacy projects.
In 1995 Wilson’s Betty McCain, North Carolina Secretary of Cultural Resources, was inducted into Eta State of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International as an honorary member. Omicron also was honored when Dot Carter, a former Eta State President, moved to Wilson from Asheboro and transferred her membership to the Omicron Chapter; she continues to serve diligently in various capacities at the local and state levels. During the 1998-2000 biennium, former Omicron President Pat Ingram, served as Eta State Region II Director.
2000-
Reflecting the increased importance of technology, in the new century Omicron began to modify the member handbook by increasing the page size to be more easily printed on the computer and including members’ e-mail addresses along with their physical addresses and telephone numbers. It was at this point that the chapter changed from the traditional loose-leaf handbook to a more economical format.
The early part of the new century saw a steady increase in membership numbers under the strong leadership of Presidents Jean Yelverton, Mamie Boyette, and Liz Rue. By 2005 there were 82 active members of Omicron Chapter. Omicron members made a tremendous contribution to the educational program of Wilson County during this time. In particular, Martha Wrenn, Jeannette Etheridge and Marsha Irvin were instrumental in getting all three county high schools accepted into the International Baccalaureate Programme, Liz Rue chaired the committee that led Hunt High School to be recognized by the United States Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Distinction, and Martha Wrenn helped establish the nationally recognized AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program at Hunt High School and several area middle schools and serves as the district’s AVID Coordinator—all firsts for Wilson County. Barbara Smith was inducted into the Barton College (formerly Atlantic Christian College) Athletic Hall of Fame.
Omicron was a hostess chapter for the April 2003 Eta State Convention at the Greenville Hilton and Dot Carter served as Chairman for the Southeast Regional Conference of Delta Kappa Gamma held in Research Triangle Park’s Sheraton Imperial Hotel in the summer of 2003.
During the first few years of the new decade, Omicron changed its Grant- in-Aid Program to reflect the increased costs of college educations. Instead of several smaller grants, a single grant of $500 is to be made to a senior from a Greene or Wilson County high school who intends to major in education. Our scholarship to an education major at Barton College remains $1000 every other year.
At the Eta State Convention of 2005, Betty McCain of Wilson, whose nomination packet was prepared by Omicron Chapter, was named the Eta State Founder’s Award Recipient—a rare and much deserved honor. Omicron received a Certificate of Recognition in the Membership Challenge and Omicron’s “Act of Kindness” project (Omicron Supports Omega Resource Center) was a featured presentation at the Founder’s Brunch and resulted in a Certificate of Excellence in Projects from International.
The 2006 Eta State Convention held in Wilmington, NC found Omicron’s Jean Yelverton acting as Chairman of the State Rules Committee, Dot Carter serving as Chairman of the Eta State Headquarters Committee, and Liz Rue selected as incoming Region II Director. In the years from 1978 to 2006, Omicron lost the following charter members: Miss Ethel Bynum—1981 Mrs. Dorothy Smith Hinton—1995 Mrs. Minnie Deans Lamm—1998 Mrs. Eloise Shriver Lovel—1982 Miss Sadie Vinson—1985
In the Biennium 2006-2008, under the leadership of President Pat Campbell, Omicron continued its support of the Omega Resource Center by collecting school supplies for them as well as several schools in the community. At the Eta State Convention, Omicron received certificates for our Going Green Project and the Chapter Newsletter. President Rosalie Bissette (2008-2010) began each year by continuing the Going Green theme with speakers about natural farming and solar energy. We continued our annual collection of supplies for new teachers and for students at the Wesley Shelter and the Salvation Army. Expanding our efforts to include international work, we took up a love offering for the Liberian Children’s Orphanage. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. June Atkinson was a guest speaker at Omicron‘s meeting at the new Jones Elementary School. We invited Gamma Mu, the Wilson County School Board members, and the county principals to join us to learn about current status of education in North Carolina. At the April, 2009 meeting Lela Stevens was honored as a Treasured Rose, having been an active member of Omicron for 60 years. At that same meeting a Ceremony of Remembrance was held for Ruby Shackleford who passed away this year having joined Omicron in 1954. In May, 2010 Treasured Roses were presented to Etta Eatman and Sue Stott. At the Eta State Convention, Rosalie Bissette was named as the next Region II Director. Dot Carter served as State Finance Chairman 2007-2011 and Jean Yelverton served on the State Nominations Committee 1n 2007-2009. During the years 2010-1013, with Presidents Linda Johnson and Tanya Lamm, Omicron’s efforts continued to support teachers on the local level, but also expanded efforts on the international level. Again, funds were donated to the Liberian orphanages that were used to purchase textbooks, school supplies, and a CD player. An additional effort involved the project titled “Sole Hope” for which chapter members cut denim and plastic from patterns, and sent funds for the shoes to be sewn locally in Uganda to protect the feet of children being treated for foot parasites. During this time the annual Christmas brunch with Gamma Mu was discontinued due to a lack of interest. Jean Yelverton served as Chairman of the Eta State Nominations Committee from 2009-2011 and as a member of the state Personnel Committee from 2011-2013. At the Eta State Convention, Dot Carter was inducted into The Order of the Dogwood which honors past state presidents. During the years of 2013 through 2016, under the leadership of Dot Carter, the theme was “Doing Kind Deeds” which focused on participation of all members at the local, state, and international levels. Support of local teachers was expanded to not only include our usual donations of school supplies but also to include gift certificates in Valentine gifts to those teachers. During this time, the chapter moved into the digital age sending newsletters by email and establishing a chapter web site. Member Misty Watson presented a project to address our international efforts called “Little Dresses for Africa”. Members brought pillow cases and seam tape, along with sewing machines and managed to convert them into 52 lovely little dresses to be shipped to Africa. Misty Watson presented this project at the State Leadership Development Seminar where Jean Yelverton presented the “DKG Amazing Race”. In addition, at the Seminar, Meredith Fychok was selected by the International President to serve on DKG Next, a panel of young members who helped determine the future of the society. Meredith was named one of the first Eta State Rising Stars at the state convention and received a scholarship. During this time the chapter rules were changed in terms of the Grant-in Aid. Instead of awarding the grant to a graduating high school senior, future grants will be to a second-year student at Wilson Community College either in the college transfer program in education or in the two-year early childhood education program. Omicron was represented at the state level by Rosalie Bissette on the Legislative Committee, Jean Yelverton on the Leadership Development Committee and Dot Carter on the Personnel Committee. All three years Omicron was recognized as a Distinctive chapter and received the Newsletter Excellence Award. During the 2016-2018 biennium, Omicron members were active at the chapter and state levels. In June 2016 Omicron provided juice and baked goods for the new officer training held in Wilson at the Surge. We continued to give one $1000 scholarship to a Barton College education major in even years. Fall 2016 WCC college transfer student Rebecca L. Price was the first recipient of our grant-in-aid following our change in our Rules. We continued to collect supplies for teachers, gift cards for new teachers, and recycle magazines to Wesley Shelter, laundry mats, nursing homes, and the Flynn Home. We made Blessing Bags of toiletries for Wesley Shelter women as Christmas presents in 2016 and bought and wrapped Christmas gifts for all younger foster children through DSS in 2017. Under the guidance of membership chair Christine Gilmore, we began nominating new members at our September meeting. Spearheaded by Liz Rue, our Rules were revised into compliance and our history updated. For the 4th and 5th consecutive years, Omicron was recognized at the Eta State Convention in 2017 as a Distinctive Chapter and received the Newsletter Excellence Award (editor Marsha Irvin). Our website (webmaster Suzi Price in 2016-17 and Jerri Moore in 2017-18) was recognized with a Website Excellence Award. In 2017 Meredith Fychok and Misty Watson received Eta State scholarships, Misty Watson was named a Rising Star, and Treasurer Marsha Irvin received the Golden Star Award for her years of dedication and service to Omicron. Dot Carter, Rosalie Bissette and Meredith Fychok presented sessions at both Eta State conventions. Members continuing to serve on Eta State committees were Rosalie Bissette, Legislative; Dot Carter, Personnel and NCDKG Educational Foundation; and Omicron President Jean Yelverton, Finance. In September 2017, Liz Rue was a presenter at The NCDKG Educational Foundation Roast of Betty McCain, co-hosted by Dot Carter. Beloved members Juanita Thomas, Sue Stott, and Carol Pittman passed away during this biennium. The leadership (officers and committee chairs) remained the same during the next two bienniums (2018-2020 and 2020-2022). During this time, Omicron members continued to serve at chapter and state levels, recycled magazines (Wesley Shelter, Flynn Home, and Diversified Opportunities), purchased gift cards for Wilson County Schools 3rd year teachers, supported Christmas opportunities (Veterans Residential Services, Hope Station, Westview House), awarded grants-in-aid to Wilson Community College ($500 yearly) and Barton College ($1000 even years), continued to induct new members (except in September 2021) and to donate school supplies during our September meeting at Wilson Community College, continued to meet face-to-face in schools, businesses, churches, and the hospital until the pandemic placed the nation in “lockdown” in March 2020. For the first time Omicron did not have a spring meeting (May 2020). In May 2020 NC DKG began conducting business meetings (NC DKG state conventions, New Leadership trainings, Fall Executive Board meetings, President’s ASK meetings, etc.) virtually via Zoom or Google Meet. Omicron conducted its September 2020, December 2020, and February 2021 meetings via Zoom. Since we did not meet face-to-face during this time, we did not induct any new members in September 2021. Omicron resumed in-person meetings May 2021. The years 2018-2022 were years when Omicron had plenty to celebrate: We received a $500 NC DKG Educational Foundation learning/literacy grant (chaired by Barbara Brinson); established a library and a reading program at Westview House (chaired by Barbara Brinson); celebrated the DKG memberships of Dot Carter (50 years) and Louise McLawhorn (60 years); designed an Omicron brochure (Jerri Moore and Morgan Stephenson); briefly assisted in the Wilson County Schools Meal delivery during the pandemic; established an Omicron Community Soup Kitchen of Wilson team which volunteers the 5th Monday of the month; awarded by NC DKG to Omicron - Chapter Status (Distinctive 1 year, Excellent, 3 years), Newsletter Excellence (4 years), and Website Excellence (4 years). Unfortunately, during 2018-2022, we lost six Omicron members: Jeanette Brooks, Carol Brugh, Rachel Edwards, Beth Frazier, Louise McLawhorn, and Janice Thompson.
[1] Miss Ray King passed away on January 24, 1979.
[2] *From “Challenge to Achievement” The program was presented by Mrs. Dorothy D. Eagles on March 4, 1978 and on June 24, 1980