The Fairfield County Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma returned to Carver on November 7 to read to our youngest children attending our CASPER after school program.

Among the volunteers are two Kappas who are also dedicated Carver volunteers, Meri Erickson and Dr. Susan G. Weinberger.

The Kappas, Meri, Susan, Julie McLaughlin and Betsy Evans each read a book around the theme of young children who nurture STEM ideas. 

The reading of books are always followed by a treat. Apple cider and a yummy and decadent chocolate cake baked by Betsy were a winner. Carver staff loved the cake so much the last time that Betsy baked an additional cake for them as well!

For more then a decade, the Fairfield County Alumnae Association of Kappa Kappa Gamma has been volunteering at Carver’s after school program.

Kappa has a total membership of more than 260,000 women, with 140 collegiate chapters in the United States and Canada and 307 alumnae associations worldwide. Although the groundwork of the organization was developed as early as 1869, the 1876 Convention voted for October 13, 1870 to be recognized as the official Founders Day as no earlier charter date could be determined.

Kappa Kappa Gamma is a women's fraternity due to its founding before the term "sorority" came into use. Because men were able to create fraternities at the time, Kappa Kappa Gamma's founders did the same, but as the fraternity admits only women, it is referred to as a sorority. The fraternity is a founding member of the National Panhellenic Conference(NPC), an umbrella organization that includes 26 American sororities.

Here are just a few "firsts" that this prestigious sorority is proud to have.

In 1942 Kappa was the first women's fraternity to set up Service Women's Centers during World War II.

• In 1952 Kappa Kappa Gamma was the first to purchase a Headquarters building, and base their operations permanently in Columbus, Ohio.

• In 1980 The Heritage Museum was established, and Kappa became the first fraternity to own and operate a public museum.

• In 1989 The Minnie Stewart Foundation purchased the Stewart family home, which was then merged into the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation in 2000. Kappa is the only women's fraternity to own the home of a Founder and operate two historic house museums.

• In 2000 Kappa Kappa Gamma launched Pathways – Kappa's Continuous Education Experience, leading men's and women's fraternities into new frontiers of education and training.

• In 2002 Kappa Kappa Gamma released The Voyage of Discovery, a virtual tour through women's history.

• In 2009 Kappa Kappa Gamma launched the Kappa Learning Institute, an interactive online portal which provides free e-courses to active members and alumnae.

Thank you to KKG for your on-going partnership!