Delta Kappa Gamma welcomes new members
The Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Upsilon Chapter recently held a banquet at North Highlands Church of Christ. Hostesses were Emily Rush, Cheri McCain, Leah Masterson, Patricia Cox, Cindy Bailey and Deedra Moore.
Beth Gilmer and Susan DeArman were welcomed as new members. Barbara Cain, DKG member for 55 years, received a special welcome following a long illness.
Rebecca Massey presented the devotion “Sweet Aroma of a Friend.” This idea was a reference to the positive qualities and experiences a friend brings, especially the comfort and advice they offer. She shared memorable thoughts of her dear friend Tilda Sumeral, who passed recently. They were co-workers at Belgreen High School and enjoyed traveling, including taking family trips together. They also supported each other as DKG Alpha Upsilon sisters.
Massey said Sumeral was a hard worker. She received her bachelor’s degree and librarian certification from the University of North Alabama and later worked at the Franklin County Board of Education.
Sumeral loved making a variety of crafts and giving them to her friends and to the Alpha Upsilon Chapter for DKG World Fellowship fundraisers. She enjoyed reading and was most dedicated to her family as their caregiver. She served as president of DKG Alpha Upsilon from 2010 to 2012. Massey closed her devotion with “Find a friend and be one.”
President Beverly Donaldson reported a book was given in memory of Tilda Sumeral to the Belgreen High School Library, as well as a bud vase with the DKG traditional rose. Donaldson reported that Amy Gunderman, former member of DKG Alpha Upsilon Chapter, had requested our chapter to make a donation in memory of the newly established Sherry Davis Memorial Scholarship at Phil Campbell High School. Davis served as president of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter from 2014 to 2016. Members approved a $100 donation to the Sherry Davis Memorial Scholarship.
Gayle McAlister presented an interesting program on getting to know your DKG sisters. Members were asked to interact with new members and others to get interesting facts about their profession, family and interests. This was an excellent way to reinforce the DKG mission to unite women educators in genuine fellowship and to promote professional and personal growth.
Members were invited to attend the DKG Joint Founders Day meeting at the First Christian Church in Florence. This is an annual event that recognizes Dr. Annie Webb Blanton and 11 other women educators as Founders of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International that was established on May 11, 1929, in Austin, Texas.
National Founder Blanton and Dr. Agnes Ellen Harris, dean of Women, University of Alabama, came to Alabama to meet and install the Beta State Founders on Dec. 19, 1931, at the Jefferson Davis Hotel in Montgomery. Alabama was the first state to join the Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
