Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Tau State (Minn.).

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was established in Austin, Texas, on May 11, 1929, under the leadership of Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, a professor of rural education at the University of Texas. Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) was founded to promote female educators' professional and personal growth and educational excellence. In addition to Blanton, the other founding twelve female educators included a grade school teacher, a dean of women, three high school teachers, three elementary school principals, and three other college professors. By January 1996 DKG had more than 151,000 members belonging to over 3,100 chapters located in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Puerto Rico, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

DKG consists of a national/international organization, state organizations, and local chapters. Membership is by invitation and is extended to female educators who have made outstanding contributions to and achievements in education and to their communities. Members include classroom teachers, college and university professors, administrators and supervisors, librarians, and educational specialists. International conventions are held biennially and alternate with regional conferences. State organization conventions and workshops are held annually. The International Society awards a number of scholarships to members who are enrolled in advanced study programs, an annual Educator's Award for female authors, and world fellowships for women from nonmember countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada. Many state organizations and chapters also award scholarships and study grants.

The Minnesota organization, Tau State, was organized May 15, 1936, in Minneapolis. Founders included Ellen M. Anderson, Mary S. Byrnes, Gertrude Coleman, Eleanor M. Daugherty, Emma C. Dumke, Louisa Farner, Lillian Jasperson, Effie MacGregor, Edna I. Murphy, Mercedes L. Nelson, Margaret O'Farrell, Erba E. Pouliot, Mayme J. Schow, Stella L. Wood, Dorothy Smith, and Nyda Ehlert. Edna I. Murphy was elected the first president. By 1944, Tau State membership had expanded to 275 individuals in seven local chapters; in 2002 there were more than 1,600 members; by 2009, membership had declined to 898 members.

From the guide to the Tau State records., 1932-2011., (Minnesota Historical Society)