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HISTORY

THE NATIONAL SORORITY OF PHI DELTA KAPPA

At the invitation of Gladys Merritt, eight young "normal school" women met at her home, heard her "mind boggling" proposal to organize a sorority for teachers only and enthusiastically accepted the challenge. That was Palm Sunday, 1923. Present were Gladys Merritt, Florence Steele, Marguerite Gross, Julia Asbury, Gladys Cannon, Mildred Morris, Edna McConnell, and Ella Wells. Incorporation presented problems for these minors, thus they sought legal advice from Mr. Mercer Burrell, a young fledgling Jersey City attorney, and finances and advice from their devoted parents. Today as then, the founders pay tribute to Dr. George E. Cannon, Mrs. Lottie Cooper, Mr. James Merritt, and Mrs. Estelle Morris for their interest, support, encouragement and faith.

This faith and atmosphere gave birth to the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Chapter. Growing pains were acute. Expansion requests brought their own problems. What was Alpha's business? What constituted "national" business? It was disconcerting, but these resourceful young ladies conferred and researched until satisfactory solutions emerged.

Thrills came also. The sorors agreed upon a design, price, and interpretation for the sorority pin. In September, 1923, Dieges ands Clust delivered the first order: 14K gold; price $7.00. At last there was a tangible symbol by which the sorors could be identified.

The sorority grew in many areas, but especially in its program. The founders realized that its success must be reflected in worthwhile community projects. Most vivid in their memories and dearest to their hearts was the Phi Delta Kappa Night School. Because of the cooperative spirit, admiration, and understanding of the trustees of Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church, the founders conducted a night school in that edifice three nights a week. What a student body! It ran the gamut from senior citizens who learned to read and write to Johnny who needed assistance with his homework. Thus the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa embarked upon a fifty-year career of service to youth and the community.

Seventeen months later the second chapter was established in Washington, D. C. In rapid succession came other chapters along the Eastern Coast. The Sorority then spread to the South, West, and to Liberia in West Africa. There are now 86 chapters with a total membership of over 3,000. There are now five regions; the Eastern, Southwestern, Southeastern, Far West and the Mid-Western.

The national program of the sorority is expensive. It includes the following five points:

I. PROJECTS

A. International
Liberian Library, Monrovia, Africa

B. National
Tuskegee Recreation Room, John Andrews Hospital

C. Local
Project for children at Christmas

II. Educational and Human Rights

A. Scholarships-National and Local
B. Negro History
C. Commission on Civil Rights in Education
D. Integration Research and Progress
E. Special Services to the Exceptional Children
F. Parent Education
G. Citations
H. Achievement Awards

III. Reading Activities (Right to Read)

A. Reading Centers and Clinics
B. Summer Programs
C. Special Activities for Youth and Adults

IV. TEACH-A-RAMA

A. Professional Growth
B. Professional Ethics, Attitudes and Standards
C. Big Sister Projects

NATIONAL OFFICERS
[[11 images – facial photo clippings of the National Officers]]

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