Kappa History — National Kappa Kappa Iota, Inc.

National Kappa Kappa Iota, Inc.

A Century of
Kappa History

From a gathering of teachers in Stillwater, Oklahoma to a nationwide organization — over one hundred years of honoring educators.

Founded

1921

Dec 6, 1921

Founding Date

Stillwater, OK

City of Origin

501(c)(3)

Nonprofit Status

Our Story

A walk through our history

On December 6, 1921, a group of public school teachers and college professors gathered in Stillwater, Oklahoma to share teaching ideas, to socialize, and to simply have fun. Among them were Mary Brogden and Mable Caldwell, two educators at Oklahoma A&M — now Oklahoma State University — who played a significant role in the founding of the sorority.

This women's group organized the Order of the Blue Violet and obtained a state charter in Oklahoma on January 10, 1922. Over the following decades the organization grew in membership, purpose, and reach — eventually becoming one of the oldest and most respected professional organizations for educators in the United States.

"The purpose of this organization shall be to promote the advancement of education by providing an effective network for the exchange of education and teaching practices by educators."

Kappa Kappa Iota is proud to hold the distinction of being among the oldest organizations for educators in the country and continues its mission today as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Milestones

Timeline of Kappa

1921

Founding · Milestone

The Order of the Blue Violet is Born

On December 6, 1921, a gathering of educators in Stillwater, Oklahoma gives rise to a new professional women's organization. Mary Brogden and Mable Caldwell of Oklahoma A&M are among the key founders.

1922

Charter

Oklahoma State Charter Obtained

On January 10, 1922, the organization receives its official state charter in Oklahoma, giving the Order of the Blue Violet formal legal standing and a foundation for future growth.

1931

Name Change

Renamed Kappa Kappa Iota

At the annual meeting on February 6, 1931, members vote to rename the organization Kappa Kappa Iota — the name that would carry the sorority's legacy forward for the next century.

1949

Nationalization · Milestone

Kappa Kappa Iota Goes National

In April 1949, Kappa Kappa Iota is nationalized, expanding its reach beyond Oklahoma to educators across the country. The violet is adopted as the official flower and blue-violet with yellow-gold are established as the sorority's colors.

1949+

Growth

Chapters Expand Across the Nation

Following nationalization, state chapters are established across the country — from Georgia's Lambda State to Texas, Ohio, Tennessee, and beyond — each united under the shared mission of advancing education.

Ongoing

Philanthropy

Empathy & Child Advocacy Work

Kappa Kappa Iota responds to the national problem of child abuse and neglect, embedding an Empathy committee into chapter structure and supporting community service initiatives nationwide.

Ongoing

Scholarships

National Scholarship Programs Established

Scholarship funds for deserving education majors are formalized at the national level, reflecting Kappa's core mission of supporting the next generation of educators entering the profession.

2021

Centennial · Milestone

100 Years of Kappa Kappa Iota

National Kappa Kappa Iota, Inc. celebrates its centennial — 100 years since that first gathering in Stillwater. The organization continues its mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, one of the oldest professional educator organizations in the United States.

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"Kappa Kappa Iota has the distinction of being one of the oldest organizations for educators in the United States — uniting top educators from a broad cross section of the country."

National Kappa Kappa Iota, Inc.

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