CELEBRATIONS
70th Anniversary Celebration, 1947 – 2017
The November 70th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion of our Alpha Omega Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was quite exciting! Many members got into the spirit of the evening by wearing hats and gloves, common attire worn by women in the 1940s. Our private room at the China Bistro was decorated beautifully by our Anniversary Committee members. The walls and tables were adorned with Chapter Membership lists dating back to 1947, a binder containing news articles about the founding members of our chapter, the Seven Purposes of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, along with a beautiful 70th Anniversary poster containing a collage of photographs from various events throughout the years. We even had 70th Anniversary cupcakes and chocolates to mark the occasion!
Chapter President, Susan Fujii, extended a warm welcome to all those present.
Janie Dobbs, Bonnie Hansen and Susan Levy, in gloves and hats, set the stage by giving us a glimpse of what the world was like in 1947.
Chapter members took us on a trip down “Memory Lane” from the founding of our chapter to 2017. Cynthia Ball and Virginia Williamson gave us a look at the timeline of DKG International and our California organization. Nonnie Moore took us back to 1947 and told us the story of Alpha Omega Chapter. We discovered the history of the founding members, current events which took place during the 70 years, notable people and songs from this period, along with the various activities and projects provided by our chapter through the 70 years.
Marilyn Baker-Madsen spoke about the many outreach projects our chapter has supported including programs of the Hayward Public Library – Adult and Family Literacy, Mini-Learning Center and Career Online High School and members serving on the Literacy Council; Eden Youth & Family Center – Child Development Center, Youth Computer Lab, Family Resource Center and members serving on the Board of Directors; CALICO – Child Abuse, Listening, Interviewing, and Coordination – helping in fundraising efforts and providing books, blankets and stuffed toys for the children served by CALICO; the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition, Salvation Army, Bay Area Diaper Bank, Deaf Women Against Violence, Sulphur Creek Nature Center and more.
Woven throughout the seven purposes is the focus on honoring and supporting educators and education. Linda Henika spoke about the many ways our Chapter has done this including providing “Goody Bags” for new teachers, yearly scholarships in conjunction with the Teachers Education Program, monetary awards for student teachers and classroom teachers.
An important aspect of our support of education is to be informed about current issues and to take an active role in initiating, endorsing or supporting desirable legislation in the interest of educators and education. Nancy Wales spoke about our Chapters involvement with legislation.
We were most honored to have two special guests join us for the evening. Dr. Carol Boyd, Area III Director, and Mary Ann Davis, President of the Epsilon Omega Chapter. We were also happy to welcome another special guest, former member Marina Xavier-Klotz.
Virginia Williamson, Chair of the Membership Committee, celebrated the value of our members and distributed Chapter Membership Certificates to all members in recognition of their years of service to the Alpha Omega Chapter.
Many members highlighted colorful descriptions of events which took place over the years, along with memorable testimonials to what the chapter has provided to them and the community. Marilyn Baker-Madsen shared some of her fondest memories and then invited other members to share their memories. Members shared what is meaningful about being together as a chapter and as part of DKG.
Looking toward the future, President Susan Fujii asked where do we go from here? She noted that there is so much we can do to make a difference for our fellow educators, for education and the students in Hayward and for our community. She reminded us that as one of our members has said many times, “We can do so much more together than any of us can do alone.” So if we have ideas that will strengthen our chapter and will help us to be more effective, let us be willing to share those ideas! Member’s glasses were filled with sparkling cider or champagne and we joined in a toast to Alpha Omega – to 70 years of supporting educators, education and our community! Susan thanked members and guests for coming and celebrating this milestone occasion.
Chapter President, Susan Fujii, extended a warm welcome to all those present.
Janie Dobbs, Bonnie Hansen and Susan Levy, in gloves and hats, set the stage by giving us a glimpse of what the world was like in 1947.
Chapter members took us on a trip down “Memory Lane” from the founding of our chapter to 2017. Cynthia Ball and Virginia Williamson gave us a look at the timeline of DKG International and our California organization. Nonnie Moore took us back to 1947 and told us the story of Alpha Omega Chapter. We discovered the history of the founding members, current events which took place during the 70 years, notable people and songs from this period, along with the various activities and projects provided by our chapter through the 70 years.
Marilyn Baker-Madsen spoke about the many outreach projects our chapter has supported including programs of the Hayward Public Library – Adult and Family Literacy, Mini-Learning Center and Career Online High School and members serving on the Literacy Council; Eden Youth & Family Center – Child Development Center, Youth Computer Lab, Family Resource Center and members serving on the Board of Directors; CALICO – Child Abuse, Listening, Interviewing, and Coordination – helping in fundraising efforts and providing books, blankets and stuffed toys for the children served by CALICO; the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition, Salvation Army, Bay Area Diaper Bank, Deaf Women Against Violence, Sulphur Creek Nature Center and more.
Woven throughout the seven purposes is the focus on honoring and supporting educators and education. Linda Henika spoke about the many ways our Chapter has done this including providing “Goody Bags” for new teachers, yearly scholarships in conjunction with the Teachers Education Program, monetary awards for student teachers and classroom teachers.
An important aspect of our support of education is to be informed about current issues and to take an active role in initiating, endorsing or supporting desirable legislation in the interest of educators and education. Nancy Wales spoke about our Chapters involvement with legislation.
We were most honored to have two special guests join us for the evening. Dr. Carol Boyd, Area III Director, and Mary Ann Davis, President of the Epsilon Omega Chapter. We were also happy to welcome another special guest, former member Marina Xavier-Klotz.
Virginia Williamson, Chair of the Membership Committee, celebrated the value of our members and distributed Chapter Membership Certificates to all members in recognition of their years of service to the Alpha Omega Chapter.
Many members highlighted colorful descriptions of events which took place over the years, along with memorable testimonials to what the chapter has provided to them and the community. Marilyn Baker-Madsen shared some of her fondest memories and then invited other members to share their memories. Members shared what is meaningful about being together as a chapter and as part of DKG.
Looking toward the future, President Susan Fujii asked where do we go from here? She noted that there is so much we can do to make a difference for our fellow educators, for education and the students in Hayward and for our community. She reminded us that as one of our members has said many times, “We can do so much more together than any of us can do alone.” So if we have ideas that will strengthen our chapter and will help us to be more effective, let us be willing to share those ideas! Member’s glasses were filled with sparkling cider or champagne and we joined in a toast to Alpha Omega – to 70 years of supporting educators, education and our community! Susan thanked members and guests for coming and celebrating this milestone occasion.