I am proud of the
modern woman educator! Times and attitudes about women and about educators have
changed a great deal since 1929 and the early days of this Society. In those
days women with careers were rather unusual. Women were expected to devote
themselves to domesticity, and women who did not were considered a bit odd.
Social norms caused people to look askance at women who united for any reason
except to be a social group.
The first sororities and fraternities were formed in the
mid-1800s by students who met in secret, usually to discuss issues or to debate
topics their faculties did not deem appropriate. Thus when we Founders formed an organization
for women educators we risked censure by our colleagues and much of the
population because of prevailing social attitudes. Social norms of the time
forced us to assume the appearance of a sorority, and we adopted many of the
accoutrement of a sorority—Greek name, keypin, song, emblem, secrecy, rituals,
and careful selection of members.
We twelve did not view our organization as purely social; we
wanted to provide a haven for women educators that would unify and empower them
to use their combined strength and energy to make them better teachers with
opportunities to excel in their classrooms and in their careers. A
sorority-like image was the only way we knew to do that.
Now women are expected to have careers, to be professionals.
They do not need the protection of a sorority persona. Social culture now
expects women to speak with authority and fervor about their careers. I say to
you, DKG members, acknowledge that times and attitudes have changed and make
changes with DKG that proudly proclaims and advances a professional image. I
exhort you to make changes in the Society that express the status of women that
social norms have come to expect, accept, and encourage. I want you to live up
to your modern image. Take pride in the united spirit of professionalism!
