The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International - Epsilon State - Sigma Chapter

How Delta Kappa Gamma Began in Beauregard Parish

On May 11, 1929, Dr Anna Webb Blanton met with eleven other women educators in Austin, Texas, to fulfill their dream of forming a society which might so extend it's membership and it's influence that it would be recognized as a fellowship of women educators who were dedicated to using the gifts, talents, and power of the society to improve the nations services to students in the school and to all who sought knowledge.

They also envisioned the Society as one that would advance the welfare and opportunities of women.

Soon other women, inspired by those same ideas responded to the same challenge and joined in the work begun by those founders. On March 17, 1934, twelve Louisiana women educators carried that dream into the forming of Epislon State, Delta Kappa Gammas. Amoung those twelve was Dr. May Allen who became a very special person to those of us in Beauregard and Vernon Parishes.

Bettie Oxford came to Beauregard Parish to teach in September, 1938; she was a member of Zeta Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma. At this time, Dr. Allen was making pre-chapter plans for Sigma; Betty helped her with these plans.

In Feburary, 1939, several ladies received invitations to become state members of Delta Kappa Gamma. They made their vows to Epislon State on March 4, 1939, in Harris Hall at Southwest Louisiana Institute at the spring regional meeting.

Bettie and Dr. Allen had dreams and plans for a Beauregard - Vernon Chapter which would eventually become two chapters.

Sigma came into being on Saturday, October 28, 1939 with Dr. Allen as our state organizing officer. Bettie had transferred from Zeta to Sigma and serveral ladies transferred from Epsilon to Sigma.

Eight ladies were initiated into the Sigma Chapter, 5 were of Beauregard Parish and 3 were of Vernon Parish. This made a total of thirteen members, unusual since the National and the State organization had only twelve charter members.

Since the White Elephant had invited animal friends to her party at the state convention in November, it was suggested, and Sigma members voted, that a little lamb would be a fitting symbol for Sigma Chapter; thus Sigma Chapter and the Sigma lamb were born on the same day.

On April 29, 1940, Sigma held a open house, at a members home. About 300 guests - men and women came for tea. Many years have gone by since the first open house. Sigma members have attended National and International Meetings, District and State Conventions. We have hosted district meeting. In 1978 we became two chapters; Sigma in Beauregard Parish and Beta Sigma in Vernon Parish.

To live in those we leave behind is not to die.
These twelve have found in us and those we touch a piece of immortality. Woman of vision, we salute you! To your achievments we add our treasure of loving memory and regard
And pledge ourselves at this moment of memory to serve unselfishly the course of education
And to honor not only by words and ceremonies
But by our lives and examples
The golden dreams of Delta Kappa Gamma which you have shared with us.

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