The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International - Chi State - Area XVI

Chapter Histories - How They Began, Where, and When:

NU

Nu Chapter was founded nine years after the founding of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International on February 6, 1938. Nu is the oldest and largest chapter in San Diego.

The Installation Ceremony was held on the top floor of the El Cortez Hotel and performed by Alpha Chapter from Los Angeles. It was a very formal affair with initiates in full-length dresses and gloves.

Helen Sylvester and Miriam Spreng were at first reluctant to join Delta Kappa Gamma since the booklet stated that the organization was an organization of “Outstanding White Women Educators.” Helen and Miriam decided to join and work from within for change. Three years later Nu Chapter petitioned the National Convention to remove the word “White” that was in question. Mary Maull made the motion and it was moved and carried. Nu Chapter scored one of its greatest achievements.

ALPHA OMICRON

Alpha Omicron Chapter was founded on November 15, 1941. It is the second oldest chapter in Southern California and the first in Imperial County.

BETA GAMMA

Beta Gamma Chapter was founded on November 21, 1948. Meetings in the early years were often dinner, lunch or brunch with a speaker on a current topic of interest. Later, as more women were helping to support families and money was tighter, more meetings were held in schools with informal refreshments or desserts. Patricia Twyman, Chi State President, is a member of Beta Gamma.

GAMMA OMICRON

Gamma Omicron Chapter was founded on June 5, 1955. The membership includes educators mostly from Chula Vista Elementary, Sweetwater Union, South Bay Union and The Coronado School District.

Gamma Omicron has produced an inspiring history of dedicated and exceptional women who made a difference in the chapter as well as in the community and their professional fields. The chapter from its beginnings held their initiations in hotels in San Diego, as there was no place in Chula Vista for such a semi-formal meeting. Meetings were never casual in dress or decorum. Initiations were very formal in style and dress.

GAMMA CHI

Gamma Chi Chapter received their Charter on June 2, 1956. Initiation was held at Cafe'del Rey Moro. Meetings are usually held once a month in member's homes. The total membership helps to select the program and speakers for the chapter. Members are a diverse group with many talents.

ZETA LAMBDA

Zeta Lambda Chapter was founded on April 7, 1962. The members of Zeta Lambda generally live in the city of San Diego. Chapter meetings are held in homes, restaurants, and schools depending on the program and the day of the meeting.

ETA THETA

Eta Theta Chapter was founded on November 21, 1967 at the famous Old Dobb's Restaurant in La Mesa. We started out as a chapter of teacher-friends and have stayed that way to this day. Most of us met at school or through church. Many of us have known each other for over thirty years and network through other associations at the East County Retired Teachers Association and A.A.U.W. We are largely from La Mesa and El Cajon, but we also have members from Ojai, Descanso, Alpine, Santee, Lakeside, San Diego, Coronado and Yuma. The chapter is outstanding in volunteering to make the world a better place in which to live. We all volunteer for numerous educational, religious, and civic organizations and we enjoy every minute of it.

ETA IOTA

Eta Iota Chapter was installed at the Bronze Room in La Mesa on November 21, 1967. In the beginning the charter members wished to keep the chapter small with all members involved. As time pasted, the chapter has maintained 25-30 members. The size and monthly attendance allow for meeting to be held in homes. Meeting presentations are decided by the interest of the members. Programs have been speakers who talk about current Legislation, Child Abuse, Japanese/American Internment and Financial Planning. It is important to our members to keep a balance of young and older members so that some history is passed along. Eta Iota has members who live in San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, Alpine, Poway, Santee, Lakeside and Jamul. We are a diverse group. We enjoy each other's company and welcome new members into our Eta Iota family.

ETA NU

Eta Nu Chapter was founded on May 5, 1968. In the beginning, Eta Nu meetings were held in the evenings or on Saturday morning. In 1994, we changed the weekday times to 4 P.M. Now Eta Nu meets monthly on the second Monday of the month at the home of a member. We have a welcome back luncheon at the first meeting in September. The Holiday Brunch, which is a combined meeting with three South Bay Chapters, makes up the December meeting. We always take time at our meetings for social networking and refreshments, followed by business and an interesting educational program.

THETA GAMMA

Theta Gamma Chapter was founded on June 9, 1973. It was reorganized to Area XVI on May 22, 1993. The Chapter was chartered at the Airport Sheraton in the center of the city. Thirteen members were initiated.

THETA ETA

Theta Eta Chapter was founded on April 28, 1974. The installation took place at the Hotel del Coronado. The chapter began because Gamma Omicron was too large. Three ladies from that chapter came over to charter Theta Eta. In the beginning most of our meetings were social in nature. This was necessary at first so that we could become acquainted and begin to build the cohesiveness we have today. We established a tradition that our three South Bay Chapter sponsor an annual Christmas Brunch. With funds raised from our Bazaar table and wonderful Opportunity Drawing we earn money for our three chapters.