History

EPSILON SIGMA ALPHA (ESA)
Over 75 Years of Service and Achievement
The View from ESA Headquarters

The following chronology has been compiled using archival materials that are housed at ESA Headquarters.

In 1929, Adelia Prichard founded Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) in response to World War I and women's new involvement in business and professional careers.

Prichard convinced nine women to become members. The Founders hoped to increase educational opportunities to an organization of like-minded individuals.

1930s
Epsilon Sigma Alpha Headquarters was organized to contain three departments: registration, membership, and accounting. At this time, chapters actively combined their educational programs with social activities and philanthropic projects.

ESA Headquarters held the first national convention in Kansas City, MO. The convention brought the first national election of officers to what was called the National Advisory Council of ESA. In addition, May 1 was set aside as the official national Founders' Day of ESA.

1940s
During World War II, Epsilon Sigma Alpha Headquarters sponsored its first nationally organized activity. ESA also formed an emergency committee to determine what local projects could assist the war effort.

ESA Headquarters sponsored a national beauty contest that has become an important part of the annual program of ESA. The organization also started supporting charitable organizations such as the March of Dimes and the Red Cross.

ESA also began supporting the Auricular Foundation. This became the first philanthropic organization to gain the national attention of ESA. The foundation dealt with hearing impairment and initiated hearing and eyesight testing programs for schoolchildren across the country.

In 1948, Epsilon Sigma Alpha officially became Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, and the National Advisory Council became the International Advisory Council.

1950s
The volunteer leadership of Epsilon Sigma Alpha began to take on a greater role as international council presidents became more active. To encourage leadership development, the first state president's workshop was held in conjunction with the International Council Convention in Atlanta, GA.

ESA Headquarters also refocused the educational program of ESA to concentrate on chapter discussion groups that were oriented around contemporary themes. At this time, the March of Dimes became the unofficial philanthropic project of ESA.

In 1953, the word advisory was eliminated from the International Advisory Council, and the International Council introduced qualifications for candidates and election rules for members of the International Council Board.

1960s
Leadership training for state officers became a focal point as the State President's Leadership Conference developed.

The mid-1960s saw the introduction of individual awards programs. First Pearl and Pallas Athene were introduced to guide member participation and to recognize outstanding membership achievements. The Certified Volunteer of America recognition was established for those who reach the highest levels of excellence.

1970s
Epsilon Sigma Alpha's philanthropic endeavors increased with the designation of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as ESA's first international project. The Circle of Life Office was established to specifically facilitate and enhance ESA's fundraising efforts on behalf of St. Jude.

In 1972, the ESA Foundation was established, making it the third unit of the organizational structure. The three units had their first joint meetings for the purposes of long range planning and coordination for the organization.

ESA's 50th Anniversary Celebration marked ESA's first $1 million year for St. Jude and introduced a commemorative book of ESA history to mark the occasion.

1980s
The Sixth Degree Program was added to allow those who attained Certified Volunteer of America status to share their program ideas and guidelines with those who seek to reach high levels of achievement as part of their Epsilon Sigma Alpha experience.

In 1982, the International Council adopted Easter Seals as its second international philanthropic project.

In 1984, Mike Burns became the international director of Epsilon Sigma Alpha and B.J. Clark became the executive director. Clark also started to serve as the ESA Headquarters representative to the International Council.

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, IN.

In July of 1988, ESA completed a bike ride from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, to the convention city of Little Rock, AR. The purpose of the ride was to reaffirm ESA's commitment to St. Jude. This was the first International Council Challenge event, which has become an annual event since that time.

In 1989, Associate Membership was introduced to promote ESA within the business community and among those who could not participate as active chapter members.

1990s
The 1990s saw the introduction of the Vision Award. Danny Thomas became the first recipient after his death, 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 1996, the international council president challenged members to raise $5 million to give an additional floor at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In following years, Epsilon Sigma Alpha's fundraising 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.

2000s
The millennium took Epsilon Sigma Alpha back to Memphis, TN, for The Angel Walk. This International Council Challenge, raised well over $110,000. Completion of ESA's $5 million donation was announced and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant area in the Hospital's Patient Care Center and the fourth floor of the ALSAC Tower was dedicated to ESA.

ESA continues to support St. Jude, Easter Seals, and countless local community projects. Service hours continue to be recorded in the hundreds of thousands and the total number raised for St. Jude is $140 million in cash and pledges. The ESA Foundation celebrates a record number of scholarships awarded to a growing number of deserving students.

2004 brought ESA's 75th anniversary celebration in Little Rock, AR, and a quite remarkable accomplishment. ESA celebrated raising more than $10 million for the kids of St. Jude in a single year. In 2007, ESA was named St. Jude's Organization of the Year.

Today, ESA Headquarters, the International Council, and the ESA Foundation continue to work together to optimize the experience and opportunities for every member of ESA.