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"Strengthening A Society In Conflict Through Relevant Education" 

AUGUST 3-9, 1975 IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

[[image - logo of The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa]]

THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA 
"To Foster A Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers And To Promote The Highest Ideals of The Teaching Profession" 

"EDUCATIONAL STRENGTH, A REQUISITE FOR A SOCIETY IN CONFLICT"

[[image - black and white photograph of Soror Arthur Mae Norris, Supreme Basileus]]

SOROR ARTHUR MAE NORRIS
Supreme Basileus

"The United States of America is the greatest country on earth" according to James A. Smith, past president of the Alabama Education Association. I agree. Various nationalities and races possessed of faith, courage, training, dedication and determination have contributed to the discovery, colonization, development and defense of this "One nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."  

People, in the days of yore, accomplished so much with so little fanfare, but with plenty of cooperation. Various races were successful in doing many needed things. Ever since the invention of the piano, both the black and white human keys have been used in the "Star Spangled", star studded revelation and continuous development of American history.  

America is great, and much of the credit for her greatness is attributable to the system of education for which it is known.  Early churchmen with vision knew that a trained head was needed for survival as well as a healthy body. They, consequently, began to establish schools, to serve each settlement. Thanks to Horace Mann, public schools emerged as an answer to the masses since parochial schools usually serve certain classes of the citizenry.

The great contributors to America's success story have been influenced by some teacher (s). The strength of the individual's goal direction and achievement has been in proportion to the influence of the teachers who molded him. There is a need then, for the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, a teachers sorority, to constantly ascertain the strength of education. 

NUMERICAL STRENGTH 

Every school age child should be in school daily. Those with ability and interest should continue to institutions of higher learning. Youth who do not possess ability and/or interest essential to college admission should be steered in the direction of vocational, technical or trade schools. 

There should be great concern about teachers employed, no matter what the area. If we are to "Strengthen a Society in Conflict Through Relevant Education" we must seek those who meet these criteria:
1.  Want to teach
2.  Seek not to use teaching as a "stepping stone" to some other profession later
3.  Are committed to teaching the child instead of merely teaching the book; who realize that human beings - living, moving, thinking bundles of energy are being taught. 

ACADEMIC AND UNITED PROFESSIONAL STRENGTH 

I am told that many of us as teachers "play school" - not members of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, I'm sure. We know the need for: the improvement of instruction, professional growth, meaningful, peaceful, constructive student involvement and community relevance; a curriculum inclusive enough to meet present day needs and flexible enough to answer future demands. We know the need for facilities that are adequate for serving the present school population with expansion possibilities to accommodate future growth in population and in the academic program. We are cognizant of the need and, therefore, work for a community that does not paradoxically blame the school for all the ills therein. 

So, as members of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, we must be so fortified with professional, academic strength that no wind will deter us, and no period of change, unrest nor uncertainty displace us. We must be determined to share mutual interest, experience mutual joys on the professional mountaintop and bear mutual burdens in the professional valley. We agree with Benjamin Franklin as he spoke to his peers during the Revolutionary War, "We must all stick together or hang separately." "We are not divided, all one body we". Thus it is. Thus it shall be.  

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