Mu Kappa News
Mu Kappa (298), Area XV, El Paso,Texas
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Texas State Organization
Volume XXI Issue 8 April2011
Mission Statement: The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
President’s Message Our April meeting was reminiscent of a great festive event. There was laughter, cheerful people, presents, and great food! But what would you expect at a celebration. Our meeting was just that, a celebration of things happening in our chapter. We began with our Initiation Ceremony to welcome five key women educators into Mu Kappa. Everything was perfectly set in place. Red candles on shiny brass candlesticks,rose centerpiece, Delta Kappa Gamma scarf, the five small candles on the candleholders and pictures of the Key and Crest. Initiates gracefully lined themselves around the table with their sponsors. As the ceremony concluded, their faces beamed with a sign of being accepted into Mu Kappa. Congratulatory hugs and smiles from their Mu Kappa sisters made it perfect. Program of WorkChair, Vera Ray then proceeded in presenting the first part of our birthday celebration. “The Beauty of a Flower” theme was the ideal program to honor every single member and see the true beauty of each one as described by Vera as she read the descriptors for the monthly birthday flowers. I really could see that inner beauty shine in each of you as we placed you in the limelight. Then the main part of us celebrating Mu Kappa’s 22nd birthday came along. In saluting the birth ofour chapter by acknowledging and remembering our Charter members who so graciously gave us a strong beginning was the perfect tribute. Thanks again Charter members! Joining together to sing the traditional birthday song was pretty special, but having Gay Stewart, one of our Charter members do an impromptu performance of a rendition of an original birthday song was the icing on our cake! You’re such a jewel Gay! We’ll have to get her to find those words to that song and begin a new tradition. The musical chair exchange of birthday gifts added to the festive mood of our celebration. You all wore big smiles, added laughter when trying to figure out which direction your gift was to go and when you wound up with two gifts in your hands. The finale was the sweetest part. Dee, Kathy and Beverly took charge of their hosting duties and served that delicious carrot cake. We simply sat down, relaxed for awhile and enjoyed the delightful company we were in. As we parted, Dee made sure we all received an Easter treat. Everyone just seemed to have a grand time. Our last meeting is our Joint Founders’ Day event with the area chapters. It’s always fun to run into our other Delta Kappa Gamma sisters at joint events. So, I hope to see everyone there. As we wind up the first part of my biennium, I have to take the time to thank you bunches for your support, enthusiasm, and generosity in everything we’ve undertaken this year. You truly are a blessing to me and our chapter. Josie
Our May Meeting Area Founders’ Day Brunch Saturday, May 7, 2011 9:30 a.m. Holiday Inn-Airport Airways and Gateway West
*Wear your Chapter Name Tag and Key Pin
Chance made us Sisters, choice made us friends.
Happy Birthday to You!
May
Penny SanchezMay 26
Betty WilkinsonMay 30
Martha MendozaMay 31
Red Roses to Mu Kappa!!! Dee Cramer for holding our Aprilmeeting in her lovely Easter decorated home. Beverly Baldwin, Kathy Newport and
Dee Cramer for being our gracious hostesses for the April meeting
To our new Mu Kappa sisters: Becky Avery Judith Haynes Yelena Kapilevich Jessica Salazar Virginia Veilleux To all of you for being awesome Mu Kappa Sisters
Come Join Us, It’s not too late! DKG - Texas State Organization 82nd Convention June 23-25, 2011 McAllen, Texas
Make your Hotel Reservations today and your online Convention Registration too! Information is on the Texas State Organizationwebsite. Let’s take flight to McAllen!
Southwest Regional Conference
Hyatt Regency Tech Center
Denver, Colorado June 29 - July 2, 2011
Or
“Start Spreading the News” 2012 International Convention New York City July 24-28, 2012 Wow!
A Tidbit of History! Our Founders
“The founding group of twelve women educators represented a cross-section of the teaching profession. There was a grade school teacher, a dean of women, three high school teachers, three elementary school principals, and four college professors—Dr. Blanton was a professor of rural education at the University of Texas. In addition to Dr. Blanton, five of the members were from Austin: Anna Hiss, Helen Koch, Lalla M. Odom,Cora M. Martin and Ruby Terrill (Lomax). Already looking ahead to the formation of other chapters across Texas, Dr. Blanton had invited to membership six women educators from cities outside of Austin:Mamie Bastian from Houston,Ruby Cole from San Antonio,Lela Lee Williams from Dallas,Mabel Grizzard from Waxahachie andRay andSue King from Fort Worth.” "The Founders were well aware of the criticism that might be leveled at this new Society. Not only men, but also many women, opposed women's organizations. The suffrage movement had stirred strong reactions that could not be ignored. Within the teaching profession, discrimination was the rule rather than the exception. The practice was general that as soon as a woman teacher married, she was dropped from the staff. The few scholarships granted by colleges usually went to men. In university faculties, as in public schools, efficient qualified women educators were denied promotions. They were rarely elected to office or boards of professional organizations. These conditions combined to influence the purposes of the Society, the qualifications for membership and the manner in which Kappa Gamma Delta developed."
Taken from International Website