On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs proclaimed October 2024, Alpha Delta Kappa Month. Local Alpha Delta Kappa members from each local chapter met with Jacobs to receive the official proclamation. Members attending from the Beta Delta chapter were Lisa Hullett, Linda Walker and Tina Hermetz. Mary Ellen Pinion and Barbara Gutherie represented the local Alpha Theta chapter.

ADK is an international honorary organization that recognizes and supports the professional efforts of outstanding women educators. It was founded in Missouri in 1947 through the efforts of Agnes Shipman Robertson, Marie Neal, Marion Southall and Hattie Poppino. Membership in ADK is honorary and based on peer recognition.

Most ADK members are retired educators who have dedicated their lives to teaching and fostering a love of learning in the hearts and minds of their students. ADK members are committed to improving schools, communities, the teaching profession and the world through leadership development and networking, training sessions, conferences and conventions and many community-based altruistic projects that enrich the lives of people and communities throughout the world.

“The city of Cullman appreciates all of our active and retired educators,” said Jacobs. “We also appreciate everything that our local Alpha Delta Kappa members do to support women educators and to improve education in our community.”

ADK is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and has more than 1,200 chapters in towns and cities in every state in the U.S. and around the world in Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The first ADK chapter in Alabama was organized in February 1953 in Mobile and today there are close to 50 chapters in Alabama. Cullman has two ADK Chapters: The Beta Delta Chapter and the Alpha Theta Chapter.

The stated purposes of ADK are:

— To honor outstanding women educators, nurture relationships and networking opportunities, and enrich personal and professional development: ADK’s mission is to “empower women educators to advance inclusion, educational excellence, altruism and world understanding.” To fulfill this mission, ADK provides leadership, networking opportunities and resources to allow women educators to gather and share ideas, develop leadership skills, and support one another. Through ADK, women educators can combine their energy and talents to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.

— To support altruistic projects, grants, and scholarships with time and resources: Internationally, ADK biennially awards more than a quarter of a million dollars through its many scholarship programs. ADK also helps to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association. In Alabama, state scholarships have been established for members of Alpha Delta Kappa, children or grandchildren of ADK members, students entering the field of education at certain major Alabama universities and more. Alabama ADK also supports Children’s Hospital of Alabama as their altruistic project.

— To strengthen the education profession through commitment to diversity and inclusion practices that respect and value each person for their unique qualities: ADK’s vision is “a world that values diversity, all people and quality education.” One ADK initiative used to help to make this vision a reality is the “Making a Better World Initiative,” an annual recognition program designed to promote and recognize ADK members, chapters, and states/provinces/nations who make outstanding contributions by advancing cross-cultural learning and relationships and/or increasing awareness and involvement in global issues.

— To embrace cultural differences and make an impact through world understanding: The International World Understanding Project is designed to promote educational excellence and altruism through support of global initiatives that align with ADK’s purposes and missions. These projects are designed to improve the lives of children and families in communities around the world.

“During the month of October, I encourage everyone to learn more about Alpha Delta Kappa and what they do in our community and across the world,” added Jacobs. “And, while you’re at it, be sure to thank an educator.”

To learn more about ADK, ask a local member or visit alphadeltakappa.org or facebook.com/alabamaalphadeltakappa.