Chalkboard champion Ruby Cole, one of the original founders of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
In 1929, a group of accomplished women educators in Texas got together to create an organization to advance the interests of women teachers. These women, who came from all over the state of Texas, formed the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an organization for women teachers to work towards improving professional preparation, recognizing women’s work in the teaching profession, and providing scholarships for those needing assistance in advancing their professional expertise. One of these founding women was Ruby Cole.
Not much is known about Ruby’s early life. She was born on December 2, 1885. As a young woman, she enrolled at Sam Houston Institute in Huntsville, Texas. In her sophomore year of college she transferred to Washington College. She completed the requirements for her teaching degree at Southwest Texas State Normal College. In her later years she completed graduate study at the College of the Incarnate Word and at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas.
Early in her career as an educator, Ruby was active in the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and various women’s clubs. She was a member of the Teachers Retirement Committee of the Texas State Teachers Association, and she served as the Chairperson of the Legislative Committee of Elementary Principals. Because she had earned an excellent reputation in her community, she was invited to be one of the original founders of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society (DKG).
Ruby was very active in Delta Kappa Gamma’s national committees. She served as a member of the Constitution Committee from 1929 to 1930. She also served as the Chairperson of the Nominations Committee and was a member of the Membership Committee from 1930 to 1931. In addition, Ruby was a member of the Initiation Committee from 1932 to 1935, and she was part of the Legislation Committee from 1936-1938. She also devoted much of her energy to the Retirement Fund for Teachers.
Sadly, this chalkboard champion suffered a heart attack and passed away on November 20, 1940.
To read more about Ruby Cole, click on this link: DKG Founders.
