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Jan/Feb 2024 | Vol. 81 No. 1

New Year, New Resolutions

By Dr. Debbie LeBlanc

2022-2024 International President

appy New Year! Many of a clear focus on reaching our goals.
Hus welcome the new year To this end, the Board has authorized the
by making resolutions, which appointment of a Task Force to focus on DKG DEIA
we hope will cause positive (Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility). A
change and the opportunity short list of interested members has been compiled
to do something better and by the Society representatives who visited many of

different. My resolution is just our state organizations last year. In addition, others
that – to embrace the findings of Avenue M and put interested in serving had the opportunity to go to the
their recommendations and implementation plan into DKG website and complete a Google Form expressing
action. The operative words here are plan and action. their interest. The DEIA Task Force will begin work in
There is a sense of urgency in our work, but this is not the very near future.
a race to the finish line. Our work will be thoughtful You may have heard this story before; however, it is
and intentional and have tangible goals that we can even more relevant now as we embark on a revitalization

achieve. This work will most certainly require input of our Society. Several years prior to Annie Webb
from members. The new year brings the promise of Blanton’s development of her plan for Kappa Gamma
a fresh start, so let’s take this opportunity to honor Delta, later to be renamed The Delta Kappa Gamma
different perspectives and make important resolutions Society, she had a conversation with a gentleman. He
that move our Society forward. said to her, rather sarcastically, that women teachers
Our members elected officers whom they expect could impact the improvement of several aspects of
to have the leadership ability to determine a strong education, but it would never happen. And do you know
vision that continually moves our Society into the why? His response to Annie was “it’s because women
future and toward greater relevance. Each member will just don’t stand together.” Please, let’s not allow that

have a voice in the outcomes of our strategic plan and comment to come to fruition in our work to revitalize
action statements that will occur over the next 12 to 18 this organization that we love so dearly.
months. Last month, we had the first of a series of Town Annie Webb Blanton and our Founders formed
Hall meetings where members had the opportunity this organization because they knew women needed
to share their big takeaways/surprises regarding the to effect change in educational practices. Let’s not
Avenue M report and listen to ideas that chapters and disappoint them. Impacting educators and practices
state organizations have already put in place or plan to was a charge from our Founders in the words of our

implement soon. We ended the conversation with ideas Seven Purposes. When you were inducted as a new
and strategies that can be considered by chapters, member, you may have responded to this charge by
state organizations, and the Administrative Board. A your chapter members:
list of barriers was also created for future discussion. By your being here, you have signified your
The thoughtful dialogue provided much material for willingness to assume responsibilities in The
reflection. We will act with a sense of urgency but with Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. You

See PRES p. 3

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