CAY SERGENT
DELTA STATE PRESIDENT 2015-2017 Cay presiding at Delta State Convention 2017.
"Her children arise up and call her blessed."
Proverbs 31:28 (at State Convention) |
"As my biennium as your state president comes to a close, I would like to reflect on reasons why I am a Delta Kappa Gamma member.
*One is our heritage and history of the contributions of our founders and leaders. Here are two examples. Ella Victoria Dobbs, a Delta State founder, was born in 1866. She was always interested in local and national government issues. She is one of 55 women whose names appear on a plaque in the state capitol, Jefferson City. These women are credited as pioneers in achieving suffrage for women. Perhaps you vote today in part due to her work. *Another is Ethel Edna Reed born near Avalon, Missouri in 1884. She was also one of our state founders. She worked diligently through DKG for the adoption of a new constitution for the state of Missouri and for the General Assembly to approve the Missouri Teachers’ Retirement Act. Through chapter meetings, parent-teacher meetings, and countless other organizations she presented and discussed these measures. Under their direction members of the General Assembly were inundated with letters, telegrams and petitions advocating the adoption of the constitution and the retirement act. Both were adopted in 1945. If you are collecting a retirement check or hope to in the future, thank Ethel Reed. While our heritage is important and worthy of consideration, today we are also accomplishing much. The following are examples. • $100,000 was recently awarded to 22 women from other world areas to study in the United States for advanced degrees. This is through World Fellowship. • Between 2010 - 2015, $125,500 went out to members who lost homes due to natural disasters. In prior years with hurricanes Katrina and Rita approximately $400,000 was given to members. This is from the Emergency Fund which gives members $500 when their home is destroyed by natural disaster. • Delta State Chapters awarded over $19,000 in scholarships and grants-in-aid last year. • Delta State awarded two scholarships and a Bradford Grant-in-Aid. • Last year, Delta State members gave 3038 hours in volunteer time to early career educators. We made $11,000 in donations to them through materials and gifts. As I visited chapters and councils during this biennium, I saw local projects and programs that were great. You are reaching out to early career educators, promoting literacy, helping domestic violence shelters, volunteering in classrooms and the list goes on. The scope and number of ways our members and chapters impact our communities is truly phenomenal. Then there are the amazing women educators who have contributed so much to education, our organization, their families, and communities. Their kindness, encouragement, and caring make all the difference. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve as your president. It has truly been an honor and privilege. I have learned so much and enjoyed meeting so many of you." We are so very proud that Cay Sergent served as Delta State president and was our very own Alpha Tau sister!! She has served us so faithfully as member, vice-president, president, and especially treasurer for so many years, and she is what DKG is all about!!
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