The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. (NSPDK) is a nonprofit, educational sorority founded
by eight educators desiring to establish a sisterhood among teachers and promote the highest ideals
of the teaching profession. NSPDK was the idea of Gladys Merritt Ross, who, on Good Friday,
March 30, 1923, convened a group of young teachers from Jersey City Normal School in Jersey
City, New Jersey to discuss the idea of forming a sorority.
 
Eight members of those present concurred, and Newark attorney, J. Mercer Burrell, incorporated the
new organization on May 23, 1923 - which is now recognized as the official Founders Day.  Because
the original members were all minors, their parents or guardians, Dr. G.E. Cannon, Mr. J.L. Merritt,
Mrs. Lottie Cooper and Mrs. Estelle Morris became trustees.
 
The eight founders are Gladys Merritt Ross (Mother Founder), Julia Asbury Barnes, Ella Wells
Butler, Marguerite Gross, Florence Steele Hunt, Edna McConnell, Gladys Cannon Nunery andMildred Morris Williams.