Alpha Eta History
On April 9, 1921, in Nacogdoches, Texas, the founding President of Delta
Kappa Gamma, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, chartered Alpha Eta, the 31st chapter of the society of Key Women Teachers. Alpha Eta was the first Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter in Smith County, Tyler, Texas.
Dr. Blanton had driven from Austin where she served as a professor at The University of Texas. Dr. Blanton and another founder Lalla Odom, met with 12 chosen young women teachers from Tyler, Texas, and the Alpha Eta Chapter history began.
When Alpha Eta's membership reached 114 members, the decision of expansion was made, and Zeta Gamma Chapter was charted in 1960.
Zeta Gamma, several years later, sponsored Theta Nu Chapter, and even later, Alpha Eta Joined with Zeta Gamma, and on April 4, 1970 Iota Delta Chapter was organized. Fae Armstong and Jan Tuomi are the only remaining charter members of Iota Delta in 2012. The joint chapters expanded again, and Kappa Pi Chapter was organized in 1978. It is made up entirely of retired members. Alpha Eta's members Johnny Abbey and Laginia Hale performed the ceremony installing the chapter with its charter and its new officers on September 3, 1978 with Mildred Wilkening as its first President.
Alice Douglas, daughter of a pioneer Tylerite family and whose father was a military leader in the War between the State, became Alpha Eta's first President. Douglas Elementary School was later named in honor of her father as both were strong advocates of education. She graduated with honors rom Tyler High School. She received her B.A. degree from The University of Texas; she attended summer sessions in Mexico, the University of Colorado, Colorado A & M, the University of Tennessee, and Teachers College of Columbia University where she was awarded her M. A. degree.
Lucille Stover was Alpha Eta's first Vice President. She was educated at the University of Texas and taught in Tyler public schools as well as being quite active in the League of Women Voters. She also served as elder in First Presbyterian Church.
Bonnie Pace served as the Second Vice President, and she was granted her B.A. degree from Texas Woman's College. She taught her entire career at Marsh Elementary School.
Mincie Hinds served as the Chapter's first Recording Secretary. She was educated at The University of Texas, Colorado State Teachers College, The University of Chicago, and SMU where upon graduation, she served as Assistant Dean of Women.
Maude Jones was Alpha Eta's first Treasurer. She attended Sam Houston Normal Institute, Peabody Institute, and Texas State College for Women where she received her BA degree; she also graduated from Stephen F. Austin College with a M.A. degree.
Mattie L. Jones was the Chapter's first Parliamentarian. Her father was a near cousin of President Andrew Johnson, and her mother was a second cousin of Patrick Henry. Mattie was graduated with her L. I. degree from Peabody College and her PR. B. degree from The University of Chicago. She also studied at The University of Colorado and SMU. Mattie Jones Elementary School in Tyler, Texas, was named in her honor.
The remaining selected members were equally talented, professional, and dedicated to education. Lucia Douglas, older sister of Alice, was initiated as an Honorary Member because she was living in Austin at the time of Alpha Eta's founding.
Other charter members included Mary Burne, Louise Glenn, Hazel Owens, and Pearl Gilliam Robertson, as well as Honorary Member Elizabeth Phillips. Ms Owens was honored in 1985 when a newly constructed elementary school was opened south of Tyler and named the Hazel Owens Elementary School. Dr. Blanton had the rewarding habit of selecting a member who did not have a connection with professional teaching, and selected Elizabeth Phillips with this honor.
Kappa Gamma, Dr. Annie Webb Blanton, chartered Alpha Eta, the 31st chapter of the society of Key Women Teachers. Alpha Eta was the first Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter in Smith County, Tyler, Texas.
Dr. Blanton had driven from Austin where she served as a professor at The University of Texas. Dr. Blanton and another founder Lalla Odom, met with 12 chosen young women teachers from Tyler, Texas, and the Alpha Eta Chapter history began.
When Alpha Eta's membership reached 114 members, the decision of expansion was made, and Zeta Gamma Chapter was charted in 1960.
Zeta Gamma, several years later, sponsored Theta Nu Chapter, and even later, Alpha Eta Joined with Zeta Gamma, and on April 4, 1970 Iota Delta Chapter was organized. Fae Armstong and Jan Tuomi are the only remaining charter members of Iota Delta in 2012. The joint chapters expanded again, and Kappa Pi Chapter was organized in 1978. It is made up entirely of retired members. Alpha Eta's members Johnny Abbey and Laginia Hale performed the ceremony installing the chapter with its charter and its new officers on September 3, 1978 with Mildred Wilkening as its first President.
Alice Douglas, daughter of a pioneer Tylerite family and whose father was a military leader in the War between the State, became Alpha Eta's first President. Douglas Elementary School was later named in honor of her father as both were strong advocates of education. She graduated with honors rom Tyler High School. She received her B.A. degree from The University of Texas; she attended summer sessions in Mexico, the University of Colorado, Colorado A & M, the University of Tennessee, and Teachers College of Columbia University where she was awarded her M. A. degree.
Lucille Stover was Alpha Eta's first Vice President. She was educated at the University of Texas and taught in Tyler public schools as well as being quite active in the League of Women Voters. She also served as elder in First Presbyterian Church.
Bonnie Pace served as the Second Vice President, and she was granted her B.A. degree from Texas Woman's College. She taught her entire career at Marsh Elementary School.
Mincie Hinds served as the Chapter's first Recording Secretary. She was educated at The University of Texas, Colorado State Teachers College, The University of Chicago, and SMU where upon graduation, she served as Assistant Dean of Women.
Maude Jones was Alpha Eta's first Treasurer. She attended Sam Houston Normal Institute, Peabody Institute, and Texas State College for Women where she received her BA degree; she also graduated from Stephen F. Austin College with a M.A. degree.
Mattie L. Jones was the Chapter's first Parliamentarian. Her father was a near cousin of President Andrew Johnson, and her mother was a second cousin of Patrick Henry. Mattie was graduated with her L. I. degree from Peabody College and her PR. B. degree from The University of Chicago. She also studied at The University of Colorado and SMU. Mattie Jones Elementary School in Tyler, Texas, was named in her honor.
The remaining selected members were equally talented, professional, and dedicated to education. Lucia Douglas, older sister of Alice, was initiated as an Honorary Member because she was living in Austin at the time of Alpha Eta's founding.
Other charter members included Mary Burne, Louise Glenn, Hazel Owens, and Pearl Gilliam Robertson, as well as Honorary Member Elizabeth Phillips. Ms Owens was honored in 1985 when a newly constructed elementary school was opened south of Tyler and named the Hazel Owens Elementary School. Dr. Blanton had the rewarding habit of selecting a member who did not have a connection with professional teaching, and selected Elizabeth Phillips with this honor.
- Linda Ashby, Texas
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updated: 7/3/13