UPSILON CHAPTER
of the National Sorority of
Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.
THE STORY OF NSPDK, INC. ​
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National History:
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Founded in 1923, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession. NSPDK was the idea of Gladys Merritt Ross, who, on Good Friday, March 30, 1923, convened a group of young teachers from Jersey City Normal School in Jersey City, New Jersey to discuss the idea of forming a sorority.
Eight present members concurred, and Newark attorney J. Mercer Burrell incorporated the new organization on May 23, 1923 - now recognized as the official Founders Day. Because the original members were all minors, their parents or guardians, Dr. G.E. Cannon, Mr. J.L. Merritt, Mrs. Lottie Cooper and Mrs. Estelle Morris became trustees.
The eight founders are Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells Butler, Marguerite Gross, Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery and Mildred Morris Williams.
Our Founders: Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells Butler, Marguerite Gross, Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery and Mildred Morris Williams.
Our Mission
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"To Foster a Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers and to Promote the Highest Ideals of the Teaching Profession"
NSPDK'S Purpose and Philosophy
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As a professional organization of well-trained and effective educators in all components of the learning spectrum, NSPDK is dedicated to training youth and adults to develop and enhance those skills, abilities, attitudes and ethics that will prepare them to function successfully in a democratic society.
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The Y. E. S. (Youth, Education, Service) program guides us in the work we perform. We provide workshops for teacher development and mentoring; parent workshops on the new trends in education and how to help children succeed with the Common Core Standards.
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The Purpose of our sorority is:
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To stimulate personal growth among teachers
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To foster a true spirit of sisterhood
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To promote the highest ideals of the teaching profession
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To encourage the development of the potential of our youth
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