ESA came into being in 1929 because a group of women felt the desire to learn, grow, and serve together - and they did something about it! In the small town of Jacksonville, Texas, they began meetings as a group, seeking the way to best fulfill their dream.

It was only five months later (February, 1930) that ten outstanding women signed the charter making Epsilon Sigma Alpha a national sorority. Those forward-thinking women in Jacksonville, who had once dreamed, began to see bright reality taking shape for women all over the country.

Outstanding women from many different backgrounds composed the Founder's Chapter. The first to sign the charter was Mary Redfield Plummer, an acknowledged authority on parliamentary law at Northwestern University.

However, to a large extent, the credit for founding Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority is due to Adelia Prichard, a National President of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. She designed the jewel pin, chose the jonquil as the official flower, and selected the colors of blue and gold. As the first National Director, she spearheaded ESA's early growth.

Years of experience in the business world, followed by the rare opportunity for service in women's organizations, gave Adelia Prichard the vision of a definite educational program for the busy woman; a program that would lift her fro the drudgery of everyday life to the heights of vision , faith, and understanding.

The young organization grew rapidly at first until the difficulties of the Depression years required a revision of the program to meet the changing times. The first National Headquarters office was located at 1012 Baltimore Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, with a central states divisional office in the Arcade Building at St. Louis.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha has had a magazine from the very beginning.  The National What to Read News was published in Dallas, Texas, but the name soon changed to The Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority News.  It sold for $1.00 per year and was edited by Nell Lovely Dunaway of Lawton, Oklahoma. Then in 1933, its name was changed again, this time to the JONQUIL.

Survival of the organization through the trials of the Depression was due largely to the inspired leadership which has characterized ESA throughout its dynamic history. Fred P. Murphy, who financed ESA during its early years, appointed his sister-in-law, Sybil Murphy Flaherty, to take over executive direction of the organization was the idea of a National Convention which became a reality in 1938. Rho Sigma and Rho Beta chapters in Kansas City, Missouri, hosted the first National Convention with about 60 members attending.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha became an international organization in 1948 when a chapter was organized in Voorsburg, Holland. At the same time, the name of the National Advisory Council was changed to the International Advisory Council. Since then, Epsilon Sigma Alpha chapters have been organized in Germany, Guam, Denmark, Peru, Australia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Scotland.

In 1953, delegates at the International Convention voted to change the name of the International Advisory Council to its present name, the International Council.

In the 1960's, a series of exciting award programs were introduced, including the First Pearl and the Pallas Athene. The late '60s saw the addition of the Outstanding Youth Award and the DIANA Award to honor young people and women outside ESA who have made significant contributions to humanity.

The international Philanthropic Projects of Epsilon Sigma Alpha are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Easter Seal Society. But unlike many other organizations, ESA encourages each local chapter to support its own benevolent, charitable or civic enterprises. Together, the chapters have created an impressive record of service. Each year, out members help raise millions of dollars for philanthropic projects and give more than 650,000 hours of personal service.

Today, more than 72 years since its founding in 1929, ESA International is one of the world's most distinctive leadership and service organizations. More than 12,000 members are working together to further their educational goals; they are leading the way in service to their communities; and they are strengthening their association with leadership training and social programs. In addition to our traditional community chapters, ESA has evolved to include a nationwide network of collegiate chapters who bring not only youth and enthusiasm to our organization, but service and caring to their campuses and communities. Our associate member program meets the needs of individuals or businesses who are not able to participate in an ESA chapter, but want to contribute to our organization and assist us in furthering our goals. Add to these our youth programs, which allow young women and men to give, learn, and grow, and you'll discover that ESA is an opportunity for a lifetime.

ESA Timeline:

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 $130 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.

*Information obtained from the ESA international website, www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org