Empower Through Reading Now

Delta Kappa Gamma Society Holds International Fall Conference

The California State Area V Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International held its annual fall conference at the beautiful Bayonet and Blackhorse Golf Club in Marina. Area V has approximately 300 members promoting the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded May 11, 1929, at the Faculty Women’s Club at the University of Texas, Austin, Texas. Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, member of the faculty of the University of Texas and a former state superintendent of public instruction in Texas, conceived the idea of an organization for women educators — rural and urban teachers; preschool, elementary, high school, college, and university teachers; librarians; school administrators; supervisors — united for efforts toward better professional preparation, recognition of women’s work in the teaching profession, and scholarships for those needing aid in improving their professional preparation.

Area V chapters: Theta — Santa Cruz, Zeta Chi – Santa Cruz Mid-County, Theta Omicron and Theta Pi — Salinas, Zeta Epsilon — Hollister/Watsonville, Gamma Alpha — Gilroy/Morgan Hill, Delta Lambda — Monterey/Carmel and Iota Tau — King City.

The theme for the conference was “Empower Through Reading Now” with the keynote speaker Barbara Greenway of the Read To Me Project. The Read to Me Project helps underserved children achieve kindergarten readiness by empowering school-aged siblings to read to younger siblings at home. Funds raised at the event will go into the Mary Marchi Professional Development Fund and will be available for members to attend the state and international conference and leadership training.

The day’s festivities featured and inspirational message from Theta Chapter President Patty Sapone of Santa Cruz and a greeting from California State President Janis Barr. Area V Awards were given to Karen Crummey of Delta Lambda for Service to the Area. Karen is Area V Director.

Mary Gaukel Forster of Capitola for Service to the Public. Mary is executive director of “Your Future is Our Business” based at Cabrillo College and Jeanne Trebbien of Theta Chapter for Service to the Profession. Jeanne is a retired educator from Santa Cruz and continually supports educators in the area.

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Local Member Awards

• Chapter Awards for Service: Vickie Lauderbach – Theta, Carol Swanson – Zeta Epsilon, Rose Guarino – Zeta Chi.
• Chapter Awards for Professional Service: Angela Meeker – Theta, Lilia Espinosa – Zeta Epsilon.
• Chapter Awards for Public Service: Karen Greenleaf, Zeta Chi.

Member Longevity Recognition

• Theta: Jeanne Trebbien – 54 years, LaRue Foster – 60 years, Hazel Powell – 43 years, Jean Calvert – 49 years, Shirley Mooers – 41 years
• Gamma Alpha: Belle McCormick – 56 years
• Delta Lambda: Dorothy Becker – 49 years, Mary Marchi – 49 years, Barbara Hill – 47 years, Trudie McEwen – 40 years
• Zeta Chi: Elsie Staley – 45 years, Georgina Wong – 46 years, Beatrice McCombs – 43 years
• Theta Pi: Myrna King – 45 years, Donna Van Noy – 41 years Miriam Low – 41 years, Jan Yaxtheimer – 40 years
• Theta Omicron: Dorothy Andersen, Pamela Freeman, Linda Blumenthal, Patricia McDowell, Jacqueline Moser, Barbara Romine – 41 years
• Zeta Epsilon: Ethlyn Miller – 57 years, Navarre Marshall – 55 years, Ann Backovich – 49 years, Diane McElroy – 47 years, Shirley Crum – 44 years, Esther Jessee – 42 years, Jane Borg – 40 years.