About
Our History
The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession. NSPDK was the idea of Gladys Merritt Ross, who, on Good Friday, March 30, 1923, convened a group of young teachers from Jersey City Normal School in Jersey City, New Jersey to discuss the idea of forming a sorority.
Eight members of those present concurred, and Newark attorney, J. Mercer Burrell, incorporated the new organization on May 23, 1923 - which is now recognized as the official Founders Day. Because the original members were all minors, their parents or guardians, Dr. G.E. Cannon, Mr. J.L. Merritt, Mrs. Lottie Cooper and Mrs. Estelle Morris became trustees.
The eight founders are Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells Butler, Marguerite Gross, Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery and Mildred Morris Williams.
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Alpha Beta History
In the late winter of 1939, several Nashville teachers became interested in the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa. Through efforts of Bessie Dixon and others, information was sought on the possibilities of establishing a chapter in Nashville, Tennessee.
On March 10, 1940, fourteen women were initiated as charter members at the home of Cora L. Field by the acting Southeast Regional Director, Soror Cleo Nelms of Nu Chapter, Birmingham, Alabama. These Charter members were:
Bessie Dixon Warner* (served as the 1st Basileus)
Hazel B. Hockett Williams*
Cora L. Field*
Helen Rose*
Erma H. Parker*
Margaret Campbelle*
D. Beatrice Irvin*
* Deceased