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South Dakota Epsilon Sigma Alpha |
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EPSILON SIGMA ALPHA The following brief chronology has been compiled using “The ESA Story: 1929-1979”, “Sixty Years of Excellence” and articles from the historical documents, past editions of the JONQUIL magazine and other archival materials that are housed at ESA Headquarters. The Great War, followed by the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, had released women from their second-class citizen status and many had taken their first tentative steps into business and professional careers. There they had found their
educational background lacking. Normal schools had not given them the broad
background needed to compete in a rapidly changing world. Book publishers
recognized this void and began to organize reading and study clubs for women
throughout the nation. Adelia Prichard was an organizer and a visionary. She had served as National President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club from 1923-1925 and her experience convinced her that women were able managers and financiers and that a need existed for a woman’s organization to provide continuing education for women outside of the traditional classroom. Her stated idea was: “To give a definite educational program for the busy woman … a program that would lift her from the drudgery of everyday life to the heights that would give vision, faith, and understanding.” She wanted women to know and understand the world around them and to be prepared in the world of business. However, it took her years to express her vision because she felt she needed an organization that already had a framework in place. She wanted this organization to be united under a single banner and for a single purpose. She found this in The National What To Read Club, and she convinced the owners of the organization to convert its structure from simply selling books and reading programs into a close knit organization of women with the purpose of continuing education, national fellowship and social interchange. To advance the program, she used her contacts and also found women in various states to become paid organizers and sponsors for local organizations. In early 1929, a model club was established in Jacksonville, Texas, by Mrs. C.H. Simpson, the first woman to join the new organization. Other subsequent chapters organized their clubs based on the pattern of the first one. Mrs. Prichard chose Greek letters Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) to signify National Reading Society and had the Open Book represent “the wealth of knowledge and strength of wisdom” as the national emblem. The course of study set down for chapters was from the authorized text “Writings of Mankind”, a comprehensive collection of writings from every part and culture of the world. National dues were set at $3.50 annually, an initiation fee of $5.00 and a $7.00 per member monthly fee to maintain the staff organizers and field representatives. In 1929, Mrs. Prichard convinced nine prominent women to become members of the Founder’s Chapter. These members came from various parts of the country. The chapter was organized to provide examples of the type of women that ESA hoped to have join the organization. The Founders hoped to create an association of like-minded individuals and provide increased opportunities for its members through educational programming. In 1930, Headquarters moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where the organization was incorporated as a benevolent, educational, sharing organization. In the 1930 edition of the Sorority News, Mrs. Prichard announced the opening of a member’s service department at Headquarters. This department was created to coordinate and promote programs and ideas that were of common interest to members in all parts of the country. After turbulent financial times, Adelia Prichard left ESA as National Director in 1932 and was replaced by Tiera Farrow. Ms. Farrow eliminated the mandatory purchase of study texts by all members. National Headquarters was organized to contain three major departments, registration, membership and accounting. With fewer resources for the purchase of books created by hard economic times, chapters were given greater autonomy in developing educational programs to meet the specific interests to their local membership. At this time, chapters actively combined their educational programs with social activities and philanthropic projects. In 1936, there was another transition of leadership at Headquarters as Sybil Murphy assumed the role of National Director. Subsequently, local chapters and chapters within states began to combine meetings to share interests. As these “convocations” gained popularity, National Headquarters announced its plans to hold the first national convention in Kansas City, Missouri. While only 50 people attended the convention, which was a two-day affair featuring entertainment by the membership and a formal dance, the convention was memorable because it brought about the first national election of officers to what was called the National Advisory Council of ESA. Also, May 1 was set aside as the official national “Founder’s Day” of ESA. As the 1930s came to a
close, less and less emphasis was placed on ESA’s educational reading program
and more and more social activities took place to celebrate the fond association
of ESA membership. During World War II, National Headquarters sponsored an “Empty Your Purse for Uncle Sam” campaign, making it one of the first nationally organized activities of the organization. Members went from door to door to collect a variety of metal items that were recycled to assist in making munitions to support the war effort. To support the morale of the U.S. troops, ESA also collected books and other types of reading material to send to its soldiers around the world. At the same time, the Executive Council of ESA formed an emergency committee to determine what local projects could assist the war effort. As a result of the committee findings, many chapters enrolled in Red Cross courses where gained knowledge created a vital support system to combat any local emergencies that might develop on the home front. To increase morale, in 1943, Headquarters sponsored a national beauty contest to be judged by Ray Milland, a major Hollywood star of the day. This beauty pageant, which was held to celebrate the ideal qualities of the modern woman, became an important part of the annual program of ESA, especially when Headquarters was moved to Loveland, Colorado, the “sweetheart city.” In 1945, the Palmers opened their ranch to ESA members from May 15 to October 1 of each year. This retreat was available to 20 women at a time and served as a focal point and meeting place for many ESA members from around the country. After its introduction as a project for the Southern California Council of ESA, the Auricular Foundation became the first philanthropic organization to gain the national attention of ESA. The foundation dealt with hearing impairment and, with the help of organizations such as ESA, initiated hearing and eyesight testing programs for school children across the country. Support for other charitable organizations such as the March of Dimes, along with continuing support for the Red Cross, gained strength within the membership and formed a new focus for many ESA chapters. Headquarters developed districts across the country for active recruitment of new chapters and new members. Supervisors spread across the country to build new chapters and an active recruiting staff. At this time, all members, staff, and field organizers were considered part of National Headquarters. In 1948, Epsilon Sigma Alpha officially became Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, and Dorothy Jo (DoJo) Keith became the first president of its newly established International Council. This development marks a significant progression in the history of ESA because, as mentioned earlier, the work of all members and office personnel were designated as the National Office or Headquarters up until this time. The volunteer leadership of the prior National Advisory Council was sponsored by Headquarters and was just that, a body that, when called upon, advised Headquarters upon request. In 1948, the unique organizational structure that currently governs the organization of ESA began to emerge with the institutionalization of the International Advisory Council, a member board that began to fulfill specific duties, especially those associated with the annual meeting of the organization. This development took place with the sponsorship and full support of Headquarters. The development of this council was viewed as a means for developing leaders and leadership skills within the sorority. In fact, at the time the International Advisory Council was formed, membership dues were raised to defray the expense of sending representatives of this group to meetings in the various states. From that time until this,
both the Headquarters and the International Council have worked in concert to
perform a variety of tasks to meet the needs of the membership. In 1972, the ESA
Foundation was also formed to enhance the philanthropic interests and outreach
opportunities for Epsilon Sigma Alpha. In the 1950s the volunteer leadership of ESA began to take on a greater role as International Council Presidents became more active in conducting events related to International Conventions and to the development of specific program ideas and themes to mark their years of leadership. In the section of this manual marked “International Council” you will find a listing of these years along with some of the landmarks that marked each presidential year. In the 1950s, with the full support of Headquarters national director, Dixie Palmer, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (the March of Dimes) became the unofficial philanthropic project of ESA. As the threat of polio grew greater in communities around the world, there was no need to motivate the ESA membership to become a vital part of the Mother’s March or to participate in other fund-raising events to combat this devastating illness. During these years, Headquarters also refocused the educational program of ESA to concentrate on chapter “discussion” groups that were oriented around contemporary themes such as Getting the Most Out of Living. Maie Wells was the staff person designated to assist in the development of educational programs. Currently, educational awards still bear her name as a tribute for the knowledge and direction that she shared with ESA chapters throughout the world. In 1953, the word “advisory” was eliminated from the International Advisory Council, and the International Council introduced sets of qualifications for candidates and election rules for members of the International Council Board. Again, the International Council and ESA Headquarters worked in concert to introduce the widening opportunities for membership growth. To encourage leadership development, the first State President’s workshop was held in conjunction with the International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1953. The idea of continuing training for state officers was enhanced and later became the State President’s Leadership Conference when Jeanne Parker was IC President in 1965-66. From that time forward, Headquarters has offered the conference on an annual basis and this conference has been the time during which the International Council has held its midwinter Board meeting. During this first State President’s Leadership Conference, the membership became acquainted with the business manager of ESA, Leon Fedderson, who worked with Jeanne Parker to create leadership development that would strengthen and enhance the working relationship between Headquarters, the International Council Board and the various state councils. While the meeting was initially for State Presidents, other state officers were offered the opportunity to attend just as they are today. The mid-1960s also saw the introduction of individual awards programs, First Pearl and Pallas Athene, to guide member participation and to recognize outstanding membership achievements. These programs are still administered by Headquarters. The accomplishments of the members eventually resulted in the designation of “Certified Volunteer of America” for those who reach the highest levels of excellence. In the 1980s the Sixth Degree Program was added to allow those who attained “Certified Volunteer” status to share their program ideas and guidelines with those who seek to reach high levels of achievement as part of their ESA experience. The 1960s also saw changes at Headquarters as Bob and Dixie Palmer began to hand the reigns of leadership over to Leon Fedderson. The transition allowed Bob and Dixie to maintain their travel and steadfast relationships within the ESA community while reducing their daily workloads. In the 1970s, ESA’s philanthropic endeavors increased with the designation of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, as ESA’s first International Project. At Headquarters, a Circle of Life Office was established to specifically facilitate and enhance ESA’s fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Hospital. These endeavors grew out of The Million Dollar Bike Ride campaign that ESA completed in 1972, effectively introducing “bike rides” as a viable fund-raising activity for St. Jude and for other philanthropic organizations. The beginnings of the 1970s also saw the introduction of the World Center, a concept designed to expand both the prestige and involvement of ESA in philanthropic endeavors around the world. In 1972, the ESA World Center Foundation was established thereby becoming the third “entity” of the overall organizational structure of ESA. This time also marked the first joint meetings between representatives from all three entities, ESA Headquarters, the International Council, and the ESA Foundation, for the purposes of long range planning and coordination for the organization. At International Headquarters the mid-1970s were a time of transition. Mike Burns assumed leadership of the Headquarters staff and the Headquarters offices were moved from Loveland, thirteen miles north, to Fort Collins, Colorado. For ESA’s Golden Jubilee, Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration in 1979, the International Council, Headquarters staff, and the Foundation combined their efforts to create a sensational week for those who traveled to Denver, Colorado, to attend the IC Convention. This convention marked ESA’s first $1 million year for St. Jude and introduced a commemorative book of ESA history to mark the occasion. In the same year, Headquarters commissioned a survey to determine the membership profile of ESA. Results were first published in the spring of 1980, indicating that 65-percent of those surveyed worked outside of the home with almost 70-percent working a full 40 hour week, 30-percent held college degrees, and 4-percent of those surveyed had belonged to ESA for up to 5 years. Paul Fieberg served as ESA’s Executive Director. In 1982, long time staff member, ESA leader and friend, Virginia Hackenberg retired after having served as ESA’s Headquarters representative to the International Council for many years. Upon her retirement, she was honored to become an honorary member of the PICPA, past president’s organization of ESA. In the 1980s Headquarters worked in conjunction with St. Jude to conduct a coordinator training seminar for state Circle of Life coordinators. In 1982, the International Council also adopted Easter Seals as its second international philanthropic project. In 1984, Mike Burns became the International Director of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. B.J. Clark joined the ESA staff as Executive Director and the Headquarters representative to the International Council. In 1985, the Founder’s Program was initiated to increase new chapter development for ESA. In October, 1987, the first collegiate chapter of ESA was chartered at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Subsequently ESA made its way to more than 30 additional campuses. In July of 1988, the Circle
of Life Office, in conjunction with the International Council Executive Board,
sponsored and completed a bike ride from St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, to the
convention city of Little Rock, Arkansas, to reaffirm ESA’s commitment to the
Hospital. This was the first International Convention “challenge event” which
has become an annual event since that time. The 1990s saw the introduction of the Vision Award to honor renowned people for their philanthropic leadership and contributions. Danny Thomas became the first recipient posthumously, and his daughter Terre accepted the award on behalf of the Thomas family. “Hats for Hope” was introduced as a hands-on service project for the membership. In just one year, Headquarters received reports that over 100,000 hats had been made by the membership to meet the needs of homeless people across the United States and abroad. In 1996, the International Council President arranged a membership challenge to raise $5 million to endow an additional floor at St. Jude. In subsequent years, ESA’s fund-raising efforts dramatically rose to meet the challenge. By 2000, when ESA reported raising a total of over $7.6 million in a single year, the challenge was met. The millennium took ESA back to Memphis, Tennessee for The Angel Walk which was the largest convention challenge, raising well over $100,000. The walk ended at St. Jude where an enormous “Thank You ESA” banner was draped across the second floor of the Hospital. Walkers, patients and families joined together for a group photo to capture the moment. Completion of ESA’s $5 million endowment was announced to cheers of acclamation, and t he St. Jude Bone Marrow Transplant area in the Hospital's Patient Care Center and the fourth floor of the ALSAC Tower was dedicated to ESA. In the early years of the new century, ESA continued to support St. Jude, Easter Seals, and countless local community projects. Service hours continued to be recorded in the hundreds of thousands and the total number of charitable dollars raised for St. Jude reached more than $80 million. The ESA Foundation celebrated a record number of scholarships awarded to a growing number of deserving students. 2004 brought ESA’s 75th anniversary celebration in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a quite remarkable accomplishment. ESA celebrated raising more than $10 million for the Kids of St. Jude in a single year. Today, ESA Headquarters, the
International Council, and the ESA Foundation continue to work together to
optimize the experience and opportunities for each and every member of ESA. |
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