Alpha Lambda History

Alpha Lambda Chapter of Eta State was organized March 1, 1958 and included the counties of Henderson and Transylvania. Eta State president, Nettie B. Herring, presented the charter at a meeting at the Hendersonville Elks’ Club. Sue Johnson Davis was elected the first president.

Charter members of Alpha Lambda were previous members of Gamma Chapter, organized in 1936 covering the fourteen western most counties in North Carolina. By 1957, Gamma’s membership grew to 95 and the seven most western counties formed Alpha Iota Chapter. A year later, Henderson and Transylvania counties branched off to form Alpha Lambda.

The membership grew to 82 and in 1982, The Transylvania county members formed Gamma Upsilon Chapter. The chartering of the new chapter and installation of officers for both chapters were directed by Mary Thomas Smith, chairman of the North Carolina Expansion Committee of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Alpha Lambda has added new members through the years and remained very active in Delta Kappa Gamma on a state, national and international level, holding many offices and chairmanships. Our members have been faithful in attendance to conventions on every level including international.

The local chapter has provided many scholarships for young women pursuing degrees in education and provided members with scholarships for graduate work, mini-scholarships for workshops and continuing education. Mini grants are also provided for teachers’ use in the classroom as well as retired teachers’ use in their volunteer endeavors in the schools.

Alpha Lambda Chapter is a positive presence in Henderson County through its support of education and outreach to the schools and non profit organizations in the community.