Martha Kirgan, Dr. Lisa Rogers, Alicia Smith and Virginia Riddle, members of Tau chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), joined with women educators from around the state of Texas in Waco, TX , June 14-16, 2018, for the 89th annual Texas State Organization Convention.
DKG is a professional honor society for women educators with more than 77,000 members. Established in Austin in 1929, there are now 17 member countries around the world, the Society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
The Opening Session keynote speaker was Dean Leah Teague of the Baylor University School of Law. A member of the leadership team at the law school for the past 27 years, Dean Teague currently teaches the Leadership Development Class, part of a unique and innovative Leadership Development program that she created.
Other guest speakers for the three-day convention were metalworker Jimmy Don Holmes of the popular TV series Fixer Upper, International DKG Representative June Bowers, and motivational speaker and author Wendy Corbett.
More than 20 breakout sessions provided participants with cutting-edge knowledge on communications/technology, educational excellence, empowering women, legislative advocacy, leadership, and much more. In addition, the members donated new books to the nonprofit organization, Storybook Christmas.
The honor organization of key women educators was formed in Austin, Texas, on May 11, 1929, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton from a nucleus of 12 founders representing all levels of education, kindergarten through university. Professor of rural education at the University of Texas, Dr. Blanton was elected president of the Texas State Teachers’ Association in 1916, the first woman to hold that office. Blanton was also the first woman to serve Texas as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected in 1918.
For more information about the Texas State Organization and Delta Kappa Gamma, please visit www.dkgtexas.org
