Memories of the Creation of Alpha Alpha
The halls of the Bristol Tennessee schools were alive with news. Teachers stood together in small groups whispering quietly while shaking their heads in disbelief. Gossip had it that there was “something going on.” Over a period of several days it became apparent that a few teachers had been selected to form a club, a society of the finest teachers in the system. There were no further releases. It was a “best kept secret.”
Invitations were sent out. Those who received them were instructed not to discuss the event. No one seemed to know what it was about. Recipients were afraid to ask about who would be there, or why.
The meeting would be held in the lovely ballroom of Hotel General Shelby on Saturday, May 5, 1951. One by one they filed in. They looked at each other taking mental notes of the attendees.
They wore their best spring clothes, with flowered hats and high heeled sandals. Their skirts flowed like princesses. They wore pure white gloves, and sparkling earrings. They whispered as they greeted each other as though they were visiting a sacred cathedral.
The secret was out. There were fourteen outstanding educators here, among the finest in the Bristol schools. They were joined by a Xi State founder, Miss Evangeline Hartsook of the East Tennessee State faculty and members of the Gamma Chapter including Georgia Hagan, the president of Gamma chapter, Delta kappa Gamma Society.
The names were read in alphabetical order: Margaret Baumgardner, Virginia Brockman, Margaret Bunn, Mary Collins, Berta Fleming, Sarah Fortune, Elizabeth Young, Mary Greever, Elizabeth Hickam, Katherine Kestner, Elizabeth Marshall, Helen Otenfeld, Lindsey Rhea, Maribel Russell.
Beautiful music was furnished by the Gamma Chapter, and an inspirational address was given by Miss Hartsook. Gray robes were provided for the new members who wore them in the processional.
Their names were signed into the record book. The golden keys were ordered and certificates were presented. Still, each was challenged to keep secret the organization and the ritual. They were cautioned to discuss its work and goals only among themselves.
Mrs. Helen Ottenfeld was elected the first president of Alpha Alpha Chapter. One star was missing – the supervisor of Bristol Schools, Ms. Irene Crawford. Many years later it became apparent that it was she who formed the list, approved by Dr. Clement Eyler, then Superintendent of Schools. During the early years, meetings were held in the homes of members. When Mrs. Ottenfeld moved to Johnson City we drove down for the meeting.
While I was not a member of this original group, I was initiated in 1952, with Margaret Bryant and Jean Baumgardner.
The routine was very much the same as it was with the previous meeting, luncheon at the General Shelby Ballroom. As with the first group, we had no idea what to expect.
I remember well Virginia Brockman saying they would not roll us over a barrel, but she would say nothing else to assure us. I expect Jean and Margaret knew more about what to expect than I did. I remember looking around to see if I knew anyone else as I had come to the hotel alone. I recognized Sara Fortune and Lindsey Rhea from the University Women and Kathryn Kestner who taught for some time in the room next to mine, and as I remember she sponsored me in the processional. I was friends with nearly all of the charter members.
I consider it a privilege to be associated with such a group of talented professional women.
Martha Marshall
The halls of the Bristol Tennessee schools were alive with news. Teachers stood together in small groups whispering quietly while shaking their heads in disbelief. Gossip had it that there was “something going on.” Over a period of several days it became apparent that a few teachers had been selected to form a club, a society of the finest teachers in the system. There were no further releases. It was a “best kept secret.”
Invitations were sent out. Those who received them were instructed not to discuss the event. No one seemed to know what it was about. Recipients were afraid to ask about who would be there, or why.
The meeting would be held in the lovely ballroom of Hotel General Shelby on Saturday, May 5, 1951. One by one they filed in. They looked at each other taking mental notes of the attendees.
They wore their best spring clothes, with flowered hats and high heeled sandals. Their skirts flowed like princesses. They wore pure white gloves, and sparkling earrings. They whispered as they greeted each other as though they were visiting a sacred cathedral.
The secret was out. There were fourteen outstanding educators here, among the finest in the Bristol schools. They were joined by a Xi State founder, Miss Evangeline Hartsook of the East Tennessee State faculty and members of the Gamma Chapter including Georgia Hagan, the president of Gamma chapter, Delta kappa Gamma Society.
The names were read in alphabetical order: Margaret Baumgardner, Virginia Brockman, Margaret Bunn, Mary Collins, Berta Fleming, Sarah Fortune, Elizabeth Young, Mary Greever, Elizabeth Hickam, Katherine Kestner, Elizabeth Marshall, Helen Otenfeld, Lindsey Rhea, Maribel Russell.
Beautiful music was furnished by the Gamma Chapter, and an inspirational address was given by Miss Hartsook. Gray robes were provided for the new members who wore them in the processional.
Their names were signed into the record book. The golden keys were ordered and certificates were presented. Still, each was challenged to keep secret the organization and the ritual. They were cautioned to discuss its work and goals only among themselves.
Mrs. Helen Ottenfeld was elected the first president of Alpha Alpha Chapter. One star was missing – the supervisor of Bristol Schools, Ms. Irene Crawford. Many years later it became apparent that it was she who formed the list, approved by Dr. Clement Eyler, then Superintendent of Schools. During the early years, meetings were held in the homes of members. When Mrs. Ottenfeld moved to Johnson City we drove down for the meeting.
While I was not a member of this original group, I was initiated in 1952, with Margaret Bryant and Jean Baumgardner.
The routine was very much the same as it was with the previous meeting, luncheon at the General Shelby Ballroom. As with the first group, we had no idea what to expect.
I remember well Virginia Brockman saying they would not roll us over a barrel, but she would say nothing else to assure us. I expect Jean and Margaret knew more about what to expect than I did. I remember looking around to see if I knew anyone else as I had come to the hotel alone. I recognized Sara Fortune and Lindsey Rhea from the University Women and Kathryn Kestner who taught for some time in the room next to mine, and as I remember she sponsored me in the processional. I was friends with nearly all of the charter members.
I consider it a privilege to be associated with such a group of talented professional women.
Martha Marshall
Elizabeth Hickam
An Alpha Alpha Founder
Mary Elizabeth Neel Hickam, one of fourteen Alpha Alpha founders who were initiated May 5, 1951, was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. She lived with her parents, John Richard Neel and Mary Frances Painter Neel, in several West Virginia communities before the family moved to Bristol, Virginia just prior to Elizabeth starting school. Elizabeth was the oldest of three children. Her sister, Louise, lives in Ogden, Utah and her brother, James, resides in Bristol, Tennessee.
After graduating from Tennessee High School, Elizabeth received degrees from Virginia Intermont College and King College. Her Master’s degree was from East Tennessee State College. Elizabeth’s career in education spanned thirty-six years in the Bristol Tennessee School System with teaching assignments at Anderson, Central, Fairmount, Holston Heights, and Haynesfield Elementary Schools. Her daughter, Betty Jo Morton, also pursued a career in education and also taught at Central Elementary and Holston Heights Elementary Schools. The last nineteen years of her career was as principal at Haynesfield Elementary School. While teaching, she was active in the Bristol Tennessee Education Association, holding several offices, including president. She was active in the Retired Teachers’ Association.
Elizabeth took pride in her church and community. She worked to see that Bristol is a “Better Place to Live” and was very interested in preserving the history of this area. She demonstrated that interest through her active involvement in both the Bristol and Sullivan County Historical Societies. Elizabeth was also a charter member of the Matthew Fontaine Maury Chapter of the United Daughters’ of the Confederacy. She was a member of the Bristol Civinettes and a local study club and had been a member of the Board of the Y.W.C.A. and the Bristol Public Library. Her church work included serving as elder, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, Circle chairman, moderator, and president of the Women of the Church. She had been in charge of the “Meals on Wheels” program for her church.
Elizabeth had three children, (Betty Jo, Ann, and Jimmy), eleven grandchildren, (Mark, Bruce, Mary Ann, Mack, Tommy, Beth, Paige, Khristin, Katy, Jessica, and Elizabeth) and fifteen great grandchildren (Patty, Ed, Channing, Marla, Sydney, Savannah, Heath, Luke, Travis, Bryce, Josh, Justin, Samuel, Clayton, and Avery). She loved to quilt and had made quilts for most of her grandchildren and all of her children. Hobbies included bridge, reading, and Atlanta Braves’ games. “Granny and Grand Jack,” as the family affectionately knew them, had traveled extensively in all fifty states, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.
Betty Morton says of her mother, “She has always been there to help all of us in any way she can. She was a compassionate and understanding person. She was a role model for me, and I am proud to say that I am Elizabeth Hickam’s daughter.”
As a founding member of Alpha Alpha chapter, Elizabeth had been a leader in our organization both on the local and state level. She was recognized as the recipient of Alpha Alpha’s first “Distinguished Member” award and also received Xi State’s Spotlight Award. A former Alpha Alpha president, Elizabeth had also served as vice president, membership chairman and most recently as parliamentarian. She had contributed to Xi State News, attended state conventions, and was one of five Alpha Alpha members to attend Delta Kappa Gamma’s Golden Anniversary celebration in Dallas in 1979. She is not only a role model for her family but also for each of us as educators and people. We value her contributions to our Society.
Betty Ball
Mary Elizabeth Hickam passed away on March 29, 2005.
A Daughter’s Perspective
By Betty Jo Morton, Daughter of Alpha Alpha Founder, Elizabeth Hickam
I was in high school in 1951 when Delta Kappa Gamma was organized in Bristol. At that time, Delta Kappa Gamma met in the members’ homes and we (as children) were reminded to be on our best behavior. We called Delta Kappa Gamma “that select group.” Of course, mother didn’t know we were doing this. The initiation was at the General Shelby Hotel and I can remember mother being excited. When she left for the initiation, she was dressed for a very special occasion in her best hat and gloves. Because of mother’s involvement in Delta Kappa Gamma and my later involvement in the organization, I have concluded that we children were correct. Delta Kappa Gamma is a very select group.
An Alpha Alpha Founder
Mary Elizabeth Neel Hickam, one of fourteen Alpha Alpha founders who were initiated May 5, 1951, was born in Bluefield, West Virginia. She lived with her parents, John Richard Neel and Mary Frances Painter Neel, in several West Virginia communities before the family moved to Bristol, Virginia just prior to Elizabeth starting school. Elizabeth was the oldest of three children. Her sister, Louise, lives in Ogden, Utah and her brother, James, resides in Bristol, Tennessee.
After graduating from Tennessee High School, Elizabeth received degrees from Virginia Intermont College and King College. Her Master’s degree was from East Tennessee State College. Elizabeth’s career in education spanned thirty-six years in the Bristol Tennessee School System with teaching assignments at Anderson, Central, Fairmount, Holston Heights, and Haynesfield Elementary Schools. Her daughter, Betty Jo Morton, also pursued a career in education and also taught at Central Elementary and Holston Heights Elementary Schools. The last nineteen years of her career was as principal at Haynesfield Elementary School. While teaching, she was active in the Bristol Tennessee Education Association, holding several offices, including president. She was active in the Retired Teachers’ Association.
Elizabeth took pride in her church and community. She worked to see that Bristol is a “Better Place to Live” and was very interested in preserving the history of this area. She demonstrated that interest through her active involvement in both the Bristol and Sullivan County Historical Societies. Elizabeth was also a charter member of the Matthew Fontaine Maury Chapter of the United Daughters’ of the Confederacy. She was a member of the Bristol Civinettes and a local study club and had been a member of the Board of the Y.W.C.A. and the Bristol Public Library. Her church work included serving as elder, Sunday School teacher, superintendent, Circle chairman, moderator, and president of the Women of the Church. She had been in charge of the “Meals on Wheels” program for her church.
Elizabeth had three children, (Betty Jo, Ann, and Jimmy), eleven grandchildren, (Mark, Bruce, Mary Ann, Mack, Tommy, Beth, Paige, Khristin, Katy, Jessica, and Elizabeth) and fifteen great grandchildren (Patty, Ed, Channing, Marla, Sydney, Savannah, Heath, Luke, Travis, Bryce, Josh, Justin, Samuel, Clayton, and Avery). She loved to quilt and had made quilts for most of her grandchildren and all of her children. Hobbies included bridge, reading, and Atlanta Braves’ games. “Granny and Grand Jack,” as the family affectionately knew them, had traveled extensively in all fifty states, Mexico, Canada, and Europe.
Betty Morton says of her mother, “She has always been there to help all of us in any way she can. She was a compassionate and understanding person. She was a role model for me, and I am proud to say that I am Elizabeth Hickam’s daughter.”
As a founding member of Alpha Alpha chapter, Elizabeth had been a leader in our organization both on the local and state level. She was recognized as the recipient of Alpha Alpha’s first “Distinguished Member” award and also received Xi State’s Spotlight Award. A former Alpha Alpha president, Elizabeth had also served as vice president, membership chairman and most recently as parliamentarian. She had contributed to Xi State News, attended state conventions, and was one of five Alpha Alpha members to attend Delta Kappa Gamma’s Golden Anniversary celebration in Dallas in 1979. She is not only a role model for her family but also for each of us as educators and people. We value her contributions to our Society.
Betty Ball
Mary Elizabeth Hickam passed away on March 29, 2005.
A Daughter’s Perspective
By Betty Jo Morton, Daughter of Alpha Alpha Founder, Elizabeth Hickam
I was in high school in 1951 when Delta Kappa Gamma was organized in Bristol. At that time, Delta Kappa Gamma met in the members’ homes and we (as children) were reminded to be on our best behavior. We called Delta Kappa Gamma “that select group.” Of course, mother didn’t know we were doing this. The initiation was at the General Shelby Hotel and I can remember mother being excited. When she left for the initiation, she was dressed for a very special occasion in her best hat and gloves. Because of mother’s involvement in Delta Kappa Gamma and my later involvement in the organization, I have concluded that we children were correct. Delta Kappa Gamma is a very select group.
