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Features
Features

until joining DKG that I found that sense of belonging and acceptance that I craved for so long. Wherever
I go within DKG, I feel like I belong. I feel included. I feel welcome. I feel anywhere is home. In DKG, I
am surrounded by a sense of connectivity, and my differences do not matter. Even if I am the new girl in
the room, I don’t stay that way for long. I take a breath and say to myself, “DKG has trained me to be a
strong and confident woman,” and I push myself out of the corner to join my DKG family—whom I just
haven’t met yet.
As your president, my vision is to emphasize that we are an organization of acceptance, love, and
belonging, regardless of our differences. We are an inclusive organization, welcoming individuals regardless
of their beliefs, dress, culture, values, position, or status in life. We warmly embrace all women educators.
It’s important to remember that, if we did not do so, we would essentially be rejecting them. And who are
we to reject anyone? We need to emphasize the importance of the friendships and relationships we build
within our Society. Our organization thrives on the strong bonds that members form with one another.
As your international president, I will lead this organization from my heart with passion. I want to
highlight the importance of diversifying our membership strategies to incorporate new voices and skills
into our decision-making processes. It’s necessary to welcome non-traditional members and celebrate
differences. We should embrace uniqueness as an advantage and believe that a membership consisting of
individuals with varying perspectives can achieve more than a membership comprised of those who all
think exactly alike.
In addition to leading with passion and inspiring members to become part of our DKG family, I want
us to operate with intellect and convictions, driven by purpose. It is crucial to streamline and simplify
our practices. Are we following certain procedures due to tradition—or because they truly benefit our
organization? Although I value tradition as the bedrock of our Society, our very own DKG song urges us to
seek and welcome change—to be “Forward Moving Ever.” Are we truly committed to “moving forward?”
We need to ask continuously: “Why?” and “Why not?” This will help us make decisions that benefit every
member rather than just sticking to tradition for tradition’s sake.
We must constantly bear in mind that DKG is our organization, and, as its members, we have a
profound responsibility to participate actively in guiding and molding its development and direction. It is
essential for each of us to play a significant part in shaping the future of our organization because if we
do not, someone else will. As members, we must all become highly engaged at all levels of our Society,
contributing our time, skills, and expertise to further its mission and vision. We must lead with unwavering
determination, harnessing both passion and purpose.
I am thrilled to start this journey and assure you that I am dedicated to serving you and our organization
to the best of my abilities. I know you will support and encourage me as together we move forward as
Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide with Passion and Purpose.

Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan, 2024–2026 International President, is a member of Alpha Rho Chapter in Tennessee State
Organization, where she has served as recording secretary, first vice president, and president. At the international
level, Hall-Maughan has been second vice president (2022–2024) and finance committee chair (2016–2018). She is
a DKGIEF Founding Luminary, a graduate of the Society’s Leadership Management Seminar, and a member of the
National Association of Parliamentarians and the Association of School Business Officials. beverlyh@dkg.org

6 · V olume 91-2
6 · Volume 91-2