National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Incorporated
To Foster a Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers and to Promote the Highest Ideals of the Teaching Profession
Zeta Theta Chapter
Serving the Heart of the City with the City in Our Hearts.
About Us
Meet Our Leadership & Members
Chartering Day
We are humbled and honored to be the first chapter chartered in Arizona!
Here are a few pictures from our chartering celebration.
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ZETA THETA CHAPTER HISTORY
Mrs. M. Jean Biddle, a 40-year active member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK, Inc.), wanted to continue her service after moving to Arizona in 2006, so she endeavored to charter a chapter in Phoenix. On Monday, May 6, 2019, Jean hosted a gathering of friends at her home and gave a presentation about Black Women in Arizona. Ms. Maríka (Ríco) McCoy Burton, a guest, complimented Jean and learned it was a presentation for her sorority. Ríco knew nothing of this sorority, so she researched NSPDK, Inc. They spoke again and Jean asked for her help to charter a chapter. Ríco was a bit hesitant, because she was already a member of a Divine 9 Sorority and wanted to explore the rules and regulations before moving forward.
In March 2020, COVID-19 enveloped the nation, and the nation's focus was on staying safe during the pandemic. Jean was diligent about starting a chapter and continued to ask Ríco to help her – and she agreed.
On January 23, 2021, an Informational Meeting was held with several educators, members of Compton’s Beta Phi Chapter, Regional officers, and Dr. Etta Carter, 26th Supreme Basileus. Ríco accepted the challenge to spearhead the group to become Arizona’s first chartered chapter - and the first chapter to be chartered by the Far West Region in more than 28 years.
Ríco solicited the assistance of her sister, Jayne Price to develop a plan to find educators interested in joining NSPDK. Soon after, Ríco asked Carol Gray and Ann Williamson to join the effort to organize a chapter and they accepted.
After months of praying, planning, meeting and inviting ladies believed to fully embrace NSPDK’s mission, the group was approved with 18 members. With the guidance of Jean and help from sponsoring chapter - Beta Phi, the Lilies of the Valley Krinon group was 16 strong. The 16 women were officially chartered as Zeta Theta Chapter, on Sunday,
September 12, 2021.
Chapter Officers
Rico Burton
President
Mary Mclendon
First Vice President / Treasurer
Jayne Price
Second Vice President / Parliamentarian
Kacie McCollum
Corresponding Secretary
Victoria Enoch
Financial Secretary
Carol Gray
PR Director
Latoya Turner
Dean of Pledgees
Our Mission
To Foster a Spirit of Sisterhood Among Teachers and to Promote the Highest Ideals of the Teaching Profession
Our Purpose
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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.
WHERE GREAT MINDS UNITE
1923
NSPDK, INC.
FOUNDED IN 1923
118
118 ACTIVE
CHAPTERS
IN CONTINENTIAL
UN ITED STATES
5K
5K CURRENT
SORORAL AND
AFFIL IATE
MEMBERS
400
REPPRESENTING
MORE THAN
400 DISCIPLINES
5
CHAPTERS
LOCATED ACROSS
5 U .S . REGIONS
SEATED FRONT ROW: Gladys Cannon Nunery • Julia Asbury Barnes • Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder) • Dr. Florence Steele Hunt
STANDING BACK ROW: Ella Wells Butler • Edna McConnell • Marguerite Gross • Mildred Morris
Our History & Our Founders
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 members of those present concurred, and Newark attorney, J. Mercer Burrell, incorporated the new organization on May 23, 1923 - which is 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.
