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DKG Practice/Program

a quarter of a century in DC, involved
in many projects and organizations—
including a new organization called
Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a
charter member of the first chapter in
the District of Columbia. Five years
later, she assisted in organizing Alpha
Omicron State Organization and served
as North Dakota’s first state organization
president. During her biennium, she
received a gift that has continued to
give.
On November 22, 1940, Hazel,
Minnie, and 13 other North Dakota
founders had a visit from Annie Webb
Blanton, who presented Hazel with a
lovely locket. The locket includes the
Delta Kappa Gamma crest and has
a black and white photo of Annie inside. Although not documented, I can only
imagine the pride Hazel felt as she wore this locket and could tell leading women
educators about Delta Kappa Gamma.
Unlike many precious pieces of jewelry that are carefully handed down Lisa Olson is
from one generation to the next, this locket ended up in a tote full of a dissolved 2021–2023 president
chapter’s memorabilia, at risk of being tossed out with yellowed copies of song of North Dakota
books and chapter yearbooks. Thankfully, however, with great diligence, two state State Organization. A
organization officers combed through the tote, only to find this great surprise. member since 2003,
she has served in
Both women agreed that it would be fitting to create a new North Dakota State most chapter and
Organization tradition. Each state organization president is given the pleasure of state organization
wearing the locket during her biennium, and at the end of 2 years, she hands both offices as well as on
the gavel and the locket to the incoming state organization president. three international
As current North Dakota State Organization President, I am honored to committees. Lisa.
wear this lovely locket that carries so much history. Knowing Hazel’s passion Marie.Olson.7@gmail.
com
for education and her lifelong service to it, I can only imagine that she would
be pleased to see how impactful DKG has been in all of our lives. Hazel truly
understood the art of paying it forward. In fact, a scholarship in her name is still
awarded annually to women furthering their education.

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