The headline of the Winnipeg Tribune on June 27, 1958 told of the breaking news: Edyth Hadley, an English teacher from Chaney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, had come to speak to a group of Manitoba teachers about Delta Kappa Gamma.
This is a picture of the staff of Chaney High School some 20 years before Edyth Hadley arrived in Winnipeg. One of the young women in the picture is our Miss Hadley, but unfortunately we don’t know which one.
Esther Hinds was the Assistant Superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division when Edyth Hadley came to invite Manitoba teachers to join Delta Kappa Gamma. Esther invited a number of people to a tea, on Saturday June 21, 1958, where Edyth Hadley was to speak, among them Catherine and Rae Scott.
Jessie Kelso introduced Miss Hadley and acted as a co-hostess at the tea. Jessie was a music teacher who lived in Roblin, and knew of Delta Kappa Gamma from a friend in North Dakota. For a few years she commuted from Roblin for occasional meetings once Epsilon Province was formed, but eventually the distance proved to be too much, and she became a reserve member. She married in 1969 and became Jessie Kines.
Betty Nicks was Jessie’s co-hostess at the tea. She was the principal of Luxton School at the time, and an advocate for equal pay and equal opportunities for women teachers. She moved to Toronto a few years later, and so was a member of Epsilon Province for only 4 years.
When asked one by one by Edyth Hadley if they’d like to join, everyone declined, until one person, possibly Charlotte Mass, said she thought it might be good to have an association like that in Winnipeg. A discussion started and there were enough people reconsidering that Edyth Hadley promised to return on Wednesday, after a trip to Regina, to initiate them. Charlotte Mass was a teacher at the Normal School and also worked on behalf of the Jewish School System as a member of its Board of Education and also assisted with Talmud Torah School.
And so, on Wednesday, June 25, 1958, fourteen teachers, rather bewildered by the speed at which things were happening, gathered at the Fort Garry Hotel for an initiation into Delta Kappa Gamma. Edith Hadley, assisted by two Delta Kappa Gamma members from Grand Forks, initiated them and installed them as Epsilon State, Manitoba. They elected a slate of officers, and Edyth Hadley led the installation ceremony for the new officers. Esther Hinds found that she was the first President.
The other ten original members were all outstanding educators in Winnipeg. Doris Baker was a teacher at the Normal School and later a professor at the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. She was able to complete her doctorate in Toronto aided by a Delta Kappa Gamma scholarship.
Nadine Chidley was the Director of Special Education for the Winnipeg School Division. In 1973 she became the first recipient of the Canadian Council for Exceptional Children award. She became Nadine Chidley Malcolm upon her marriage.
Evelyn Cox was a principal of several schools, including my current school, Lord Roberts. She was also a Primary Supervisor for the Winnipeg School Division. She advocated for the involvement of teachers in decision making, in order to help meet the individual needs of children.
Agnes MacDonald was the first woman to be appointed to be the principal of a Junior-senior high school in Winnipeg. As principal of Elmwood High School, she pioneered a new system of student evaluation and supported the Life Style Program as developed by the Home Economics Teachers of Manitoba. After her retirement she served in the area of providing ESL programs for immigrant women and opening apprenticeship programs to women.
Ruth Pybus was an art teacher with a gift for making art accessible even for reluctant students. She was also a Guidance Counsellor for the girls in River Heights Junior High. She considered this the highlight of her teaching experience.
Isabel Richard was a pioneer in Winnipeg of speech pathology and audiology. She was also responsible for the establishment of a special program for hearing-impaired children in school in Winnipeg. She was also a founding member of the Canadian Speech and Hearing Association and was its first President.
Isabelle Smith was the principal of a number of inner city schools, where she appreciated the task of serving a diverse populace. She felt that it was important for teachers to acquire a good understanding of ethnic backgrounds, and cultural differences. She was Principal of John. M. King School when she married Mr. Bob MacDonald and moved to Ontario.
Kathleen Wilson was an experienced teacher and administrator who made a sterling contribution to primary teachers as a primary supervisor for the Winnipeg School Division. She endeavored to be of assistance to the teachers in the schools she served and upon her retirement received many letters of appreciation from those she had helped.
Rae Scott was a science and mathematics teacher who went on to be a principal of several schools, including Inkster and Robert H. Smith. Her interest in science led to her encouragement of science programs within the schools, including an active participation in science fairs.
Caye Scott was a teacher leader who has affected the lives of us all. She has served as an elementary school principal and as a leader in teachers organizations, including the Winnipeg Teachers Association and the Manitoba Teachers Society, which made her a life member. Her service tgo Delta Kappa Gamma led her to leadership at all levels of the Society, including the International level. Most importantly for us, she was instrumental in the expansion of Epsilon Province and the formation of all the chapters.
Let us be grateful for these key women educators, who have led the way for us in Delta Kappa Gamma
