Alpha Delta Kappa

Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK) is an international honorary organization for women educators, though it is not typically referred to as a "sorority" in the conventional sense. The confusion arises from another unrelated group, the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority at SUNY Potsdam, which is a distinct entity and not the focus of this article.

History

Alpha Delta Kappa was founded in 1947 by Agnes Shipman Robertson, Marie Neal, Marion Southall, and Hattie Poppino. These visionary women educators aimed to recognize and support outstanding female educators worldwide[1][2].

Mission and Purposes

The organization's mission is to promote educational excellence, altruism, and world understanding. Its purposes include:

• Recognition: To honor outstanding women educators in teaching, administration, or specialized fields.
• Fellowship: To build a fraternal bond among members to enhance their effectiveness in promoting educational excellence.
• Professional Advancement: To promote high standards in education and strengthen the status and advancement of the teaching profession.
• Community Engagement: To support educational and charitable projects, sponsor scholarships, and engage with community programs related to education and charities.
• Global Impact: To contribute to world understanding, goodwill, and peace through international fellowship[1].

Membership and Activities

Membership is honorary and based on peer recognition. Members are offered opportunities for leadership development, networking through workshops, training sessions, conferences, and conventions. The organization has nearly 1,600 chapters globally, including locations in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico, and Puerto Rico[1][4].

Alpha Delta Kappa is known for its altruistic projects, which enrich the lives of its members and the broader community. It supports teaching skills, humanitarian efforts, and educational advancement through community service, educational causes, and scholarships[4].

Alpha Delta Kappa Association (Men)

Separately, there is an Alpha Delta Kappa Association for men, established in 1961. This group was created to support the original Alpha Delta Kappa organization and aid its outstanding women educators[3].

Distinction from SUNY Potsdam Sorority

The term "Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority" might also refer to a historical sorority at SUNY Potsdam. However, this group is unrelated to the international Alpha Delta Kappa organization for women educators. The SUNY Potsdam Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority evolved from earlier literary societies and experienced recognition changes over the years, ultimately losing official status in 2016[5].