Delta chapter was the offspring of Beta Chapter, which comprised the five southern counties of Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Cape May, and Atlantic. Fourteen members were initiated as charter members of the newly formed Delta Chapter at the Alpha Zeta State Convention in 1959. At 8:00 AM on April 19, 1959, in room 104 of the Ambassador Hotel, the first meeting of Delta Chapter was called to order by Bess Gettrich, the State President. Immediately following this meeting, the newly elected officers were installed at the Convention breakfast which was under the auspices of the mother chapter, Beta.
The formation of Delta chapter is recorded in the March 1959 Alpha Zeta State Newsletter: "... after many meetings and much effort on the part of the founders from Beta Chapter, invitations were sent in December to 19 women from Cape May County and Atlantic County, asking them to become charter members of the new Delta Chapter. A reception and tea was held on January 24,1959 at the home of Gladys Delaney in Cape May Court House for the prospective members of the new chapter. Forty-six members from Beta Chapter and their guests were present, including the State President, Bess Gettrich, who spoke to the group." In the same Newsletter, an article entitled Delta Chapter Initiates Meet to Organize noted, "Twelve of the 14 initiates for membership in the new Delta Chapter of Alpha Zeta State met at the home of Mildred Falciani in Hammonton on February 21, 1959, to make plans for organizing at the State Convention to be held in Atlantic City in April.” Thus was Delta organized.
The first few years were difficult, with too many jobs for too few people, and all 14 members were initiates, not transfer members from other chapters. At the Alpha Zeta State Convention held on April 22, 1960 at the Ambassador Hotel in Atlantic City, an original skit entitled A Delta Kappa Gamma Never Says No was presented by Delta Chapter. This set the tone for the chapter.
By 1965 Delta had nearly tripled in size, and the territory had been expanded to include part of Cumberland County. The chapter initiated 10 new members in 1966, the largest group to that point. Delta really branched out during the 1968-1970 biennium as it began and ended on the road, so to speak. In September members took a delightful ride on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, enjoyed a luncheon in Delaware, and visited with Beta Chapter of Alpha Tau State (DE) in Rehoboth Beach. The biennium closed with a bus trip to Winterthur and a unique installation of officers with ceremony en route.
Delta numbers grew by leaps and bounds: 52 members in 1965, 68 members by 1975.
In 1980, with a membership of 78, Delta looked to expansion. In March 1980, Xi Chapter, covering Atlantic and Cumberland Counties, was formed. Thirty Delta members transferred their membership to the new chapter. Cape May County remained as Delta Chapter.
Throughout the years, Delta members have served on multiple committees as well as being officers at the chapter level, while also being active in Alpha Zeta State and their professional lives. The chapter is particularly proud of Marie Stone, who served as Alpha Zeta State President in 1971-1973, and of Ruth Freed, who served in that position in 1977-1979. Delta is also proud that many of their members have been honored as Teacher of the Year in their respective districts.
Just as today, Delta members of days gone by enjoyed delicious dinners, informative programs, and charitable projects. Programs through the years included a classical guitar recital; trolley tour of historic Cape May with Xi; sharing of foreign cultures by
Delta Chapter initiates meet State President Carmela DeMarco (far right)!
our traveling members; a field trip to the newly constructed Stockton College; musical, dance, and craft programs; a bicentennial trip in 1976 to the Union House in Millville; and presentations on such widely varied topics as foreign studies, yoga, crafts, finance, Steven Covey, and wine tasting. We even had a wonderful birthday celebration for our chapter’s 50th birthday in 2009!
our traveling members; a field trip to the newly constructed Stockton College; musical, dance, and craft programs; a bicentennial trip in 1976 to the Union House in Millville; and presentations on such widely varied topics as foreign studies, yoga, crafts, finance, Steven Covey, and wine tasting. We even had a wonderful birthday celebration for our chapter’s 50th birthday in 2009!
Delta Chapter Breast Cancer Race Survivors! The 5K race is a major
philanthropic effort by the chapter each year.
Delta projects are also a source of pride for chapter members. These projects have included donating items and money to CARA (Coalition Against Rape and Abuse); participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program; contributing to Ranch Hope, Inc.; cooperating with Rotary Association to supply literacy packets to families of all newborns at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital; working as Literacy Volunteers and as readers in Project Read to Me; writing greeting cards for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; sponsoring a Girl Scout, including providing her costs to attend summer camp; and donating clothing to Dress for Success. Beat the Clock Against Breast Cancer 5K race is major philanthropic commitment that Delta has eagerly organized for the last 10 years under the direction of Delta member and past president Rita Tice. Collectively, more than $64,000 dollars have been donated to the American Cancer Society in Delta’s honor since the inception of this project.
philanthropic effort by the chapter each year.
Delta projects are also a source of pride for chapter members. These projects have included donating items and money to CARA (Coalition Against Rape and Abuse); participating in the Adopt-A-Highway program; contributing to Ranch Hope, Inc.; cooperating with Rotary Association to supply literacy packets to families of all newborns at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital; working as Literacy Volunteers and as readers in Project Read to Me; writing greeting cards for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; sponsoring a Girl Scout, including providing her costs to attend summer camp; and donating clothing to Dress for Success. Beat the Clock Against Breast Cancer 5K race is major philanthropic commitment that Delta has eagerly organized for the last 10 years under the direction of Delta member and past president Rita Tice. Collectively, more than $64,000 dollars have been donated to the American Cancer Society in Delta’s honor since the inception of this project.
Delta Winery Chapter Meeting: toasting to Delta’s continued success!
Another project dear to the hearts of the Delta membership is sponsoring a room in our local Habitat for Humanity houses. As the houses are being constructed, Delta members collect and donate items to decorate and furnish a bedroom in the completed residence. In addition, Delta members continue to support a local shelter for women and their children who are in need of safe temporary housing.
The chapter also reaches out to the community by providing annually a scholarship for a local high school graduate.
Today Delta members lead active lives with families, jobs, and varied interests. Delta Chapter is proud of all its members—their individual and collective achievements—but more importantly of their dedication to education, Delta Chapter, Alpha Zeta State, and Delta Kappa Gamma. From Delta’s beginning in 1959, the underlying theme has been, through it all, service and commitment. Remember! A Delta Kappa Gamma Never Says No!
History originally compiled by Marie Stone, Janet Vance, Harriet Reardon.
Additional information provided by Bernice Bright, Anne Colin, and Nancy Simmerman.
Another project dear to the hearts of the Delta membership is sponsoring a room in our local Habitat for Humanity houses. As the houses are being constructed, Delta members collect and donate items to decorate and furnish a bedroom in the completed residence. In addition, Delta members continue to support a local shelter for women and their children who are in need of safe temporary housing.
The chapter also reaches out to the community by providing annually a scholarship for a local high school graduate.
Today Delta members lead active lives with families, jobs, and varied interests. Delta Chapter is proud of all its members—their individual and collective achievements—but more importantly of their dedication to education, Delta Chapter, Alpha Zeta State, and Delta Kappa Gamma. From Delta’s beginning in 1959, the underlying theme has been, through it all, service and commitment. Remember! A Delta Kappa Gamma Never Says No!
History originally compiled by Marie Stone, Janet Vance, Harriet Reardon.
Additional information provided by Bernice Bright, Anne Colin, and Nancy Simmerman.