Delta Kappa Gamma Iota Chapter Records

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded in Austin, Texas, May 11, 1929. The twelve founding members were part of the Faculty Women's Club at the University of Texas. Organization of the Society was led by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton. Members were engaged in a variety of educational work. The purpose of the organization is unite women educators in spiritual fellowship, recognize achievements of women educators, and to support professional growth of women educators and future women educators.

The South Dakota State chapter Alpha Pi, began in 1940 at the South Dakota Education Association Conference in Aberdeen, SD. There were sixteen state founders and 25 chapter members who were initiated into DKG at that time. In 1958, at the Executive Board Meeting in Mitchell, SD, it was decided that Alpha Pi should divide into two chapters. The President's message was read at the regular meeting in Belle Fourche on November 22nd, 1958, stating that the new chapter was to be arranged by May 1, 1959.

In February 1959 at a regular meeting in Rapid City, SD, it was decided that Alpha Pi would divide into two chapters and the new chapter would be called Iota. The Iota chapter was the ninth chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma to be formed in South Dakota. The new chapter would cover Lawrence, Butte, Meade, Perkins, and Harding Counties. Within the chapter there are a number of local groups. They engage in a variety of educational and charitable acitivies.