ESA s History Founders and Facts ESA is

ESA’s History Founders and Facts

ESA is born in 1929 Founder: Adelia Prichard The original program focused on “The Writings of Mankind” Moved to its own “What to Read” program. 1938 ESA holds its first National Convention ESA supports various charities – including the USO during the war. After the war – March of Dimes, Mother’s March to cure polio. 1948 ESA goes International.

1930 ESA comes to Kansas Early years chapters were islands unto themselves with no connection with each other. 1941 Iota Kappa and Iota Mu hosted the 4 th National Advisory Council convention in Wichita. Many states were represented. After 1941 ESA in Kansas takes an upswing. Chapters began working together – new chapters – contending with the war – and members became better acquainted. Only gasoline and tire rationing will prevent ESA members from accomplishing more during the war years.

1940 -41 – Onelia Comas Roig 1938 – 40 – Irene Copeland Along with Helen Wilson, co-chaired the first National Convention in Kansas City Missouri in 1939.

Kansas – 1946 - 1953 Z. C. Dipman 1946 -47 Grace Stoner 1949 -50 Jessie Mc. Adoo Little 1951 -1952 Pauline Cowger 1948 -49 Mildred Keller 1950 -51 Beryle Elliott 1952 -1953

1941 -1947 Hildagard Jager Brooke Due to the war officers in ESA will be frozen from 1941 to 1947 when another National convention is held in Oklahoma city. ESA begins as an educational interest and soon expands into charitable projects and a social and leadership organization for women.

1947 -48 Helen Louise Wilson George Murphy, movie actor and later senator, was guest speaker at the banquet in Los Angeles, CA at the 1948 IC Convention

1948 Dorothy Murray & Kathryn Mays 1950 ESA Home was proposed by Jerry Ketchum from Arkansas 1950 -51 Peggy Shaw

1951 -1952 Emerald Smith Appointed by ESA Headquarters to serve as International Director during the 1950 s.

1952 -1953 Jean Hudnall Was to have been installed in 1952 in San Antonio, TX; however missed her installation due to pregnancy. Held the first State President’s workshop at the 1953 convention.

Kansas – 1953 -1958 Honoring our past Faye Jordan 1953 -1954 Irene Ramsey 1955 -1956 Kay La. Velle 1954 -1955 Hazel Hayes 1956 -1957 Jerry Phillips 1957 -1958

1953 -1954 – Hazel Knapp First Juniorette units were formed. Silver Jubilee Convention Held in Columbus, Ohio First Non-demoninational Memorial service 1955

1954 -1955 – Mardelle Mc. Cormick First non- demoninational Memorial Service held at the 1955 Convention in Wichita, Kansas The ESA Home Board was formed.

1955 -1956 Jessie Mc. Adoo Little ESA Disaster Fund is initiated First Kansas Woman to lead ESA Disaster Fund is initiated in 1955

1956 - Alice Cornelius & Toba Wheeler - 1958 • ESA reaches 1, 000 chapters – with paid dues. • Kansas Lamplighters formed 1857 • 1958 – (PICPA) IC Past President’s Auxiliary is formed in Denver, Co.

Kansas – 1958 -1963 Honoring our past Lois Mayall 1960 -1961 Mary Booe Louise Woods 1962 -1963 1958 -1959 Mildred Foley 1959 -1960 Betty Guthrie 1961 -1962

1958 -1959 – Eugenia Sapp Installed the first “Men of ESA” chapter in Albuquerque, NM. 1958

1959 -1960 Wilhelmina Herbin By-laws amended to begin rotation of states hosting IC Convention into four quadrants Began the observance of ESA International Week – May 1 -7

1960 -1961 – Myre Starr Instituted the first flag ceremony to open IC conventions Was known as the “traveling president” Instrumental in the growth of the Juniorettes

1961 -1962 Becky Roger • Clara Gonzales, Gamma Sigma, NM honored as 1 of 10 recipients of the National Civil Service League’s prized service award in Washington DC. Honored by John Kennedy • 1 st Recommend a Friend application appeared in 1961 Jonquil

1962 -1963 Kay Mc. Laughlin An accomplished musician, Kay promoted membership growth “Partytime” – a party booklet was published by Headquarters at a cost of $1. 00

Kansas – 1963 -1968 Honoring our Past Bonnie Gunter Dee Quade 1965 -66 1963 -64 Velma Harness Foley 1964 -65 Kathleen Lutz 1967 -68 Katy T Mills 1966 -67

1963 -1964 – Worda Russell • The first ESA cookbook was assembled • The 1 st ESA chapter was organized in Childers, Queensland, Australia with 18 members • The first Zeus Award was presented to President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964

1964 -1965 – Doris Stafford • Added standing rule to designate “ESA Sunday” • The location of IC convention was placed on a rotation basis with US divided into 4 sections • The 1 st Chapter Zeus Award is presented in Texas.

1965 -1966 – Jeanne Parker • 1 st State President’s Leadership Conference in Colorado • Introduced the 1 st Pearl Award • Australian members will attend IC convention for the first time.

1966 -1967 Irene Ramsey • 2 nd Kansas Woman to lead ESA • Pallas Athene Awards were initiated by Headquarters • Jeanne Parker and Rose O’Shea were 1 st American ESA women to represent IC in Australia in 1967

1967 -1968 Velva Blayney Yoemans Initiated the 1 st Youth Award A membership challenge will result in 143 new ESA chapters

1968 -69 Joan Monson Promoted wearing the ESA pins on suit coats to promote ESA. Called for a 25 percent increase in membership and presented the Tournament of Knights rush program.

Kansas – 1968 -1973 Honoring our past Gladys Shook 1968 -69 Maxine Mc. Keever 1970 -71 Lorita Von. Neiderhause r 1969 -70 Jean Wells 1972 -73 Anne Langenfeld 1971 -72

1969 -1970 – Arlene K. Schlosser • Danny Thomas attends 1 st ESA convention in Minnesota • Inaugurated Diana Award • The Guardians of ESA presented by Headquarters. • ESA World Center was formed with Monson as a Founder

“ 1970 -1971 Barbara Skorney • Initiated a Special Service Committee to spearhead a POW-MIA letter writing Campaign to free Vietnam prisoners of War. (Over a million letters were written) • 1 st Candidate’s Fair held at the 1971 convention in Salt Lake City, UT • We must make ESA pertinent to today’s woman” – Skorney

1971 -1972 - Emmalou Brink • First ceremony booklets will be distributed at IC convention in 1971 • ESA adopts St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital & pledged to raise $1 million. • 1 st Million Dollar Bike Ride was held. $200, 000 + was raised. Bike ride chairman - Geri Benton, Kansas

1972 -73 Lois Printz • The term “Flag of All Faiths” will be used for the 1 st time in 1972 • 1972 – 1 st president to be installed outside the US. • Printz appears on the Diana Shore show with Danny Thomas and the 1 st Million Dollar Bike Ride team to present check to Danny Thomas for St. Jude.

1971 -1973 1971 – St Jude adopted as an International project. ESA is incorporated in 1971 and becomes a recognized non-profit by the IRS in 1973 ESA initiation fees are raised to $44. 00 up $10. 00 - 1973 1974 – Save our country Day – to bring attention to environmental problems. 1974 – First joint meeting of IC and ESA headquarters. 1973 -74 – we charter in Korea. 1974 Association of the Arts program initiated. 1978 – Kansas Care & Share love fund is established.

Kansas – 1973 -1978 Betty Spicer Mary Daniels 1975 -76 1973 -74 Dotty Keenan 1974 -75 Joan Friend 1977 -78 Florence Ellis 1976 -77

1973 -74 - Fern Mitchell Porter Inaugurated Save Our Country Day on May 4 to bring the environmental problems to the attention of the country. 1 st joint meeting between Headquarters and International Council. 1 st ESA Song Book published by Music Task Force Committee “Reach Out Award for Community service Chapter chartered in Korea

1975 -76 – Judy Lester 1 st Administrative Assistants were appointed 1 st Certified Leadership Seminar held in Mississippi 1 st Essential Edge for IC officers Instituted the Association of the Arts program

1975 -78 – Jo Isquierdo Presented a check for $1 million to St. Jude – accomplished in less than 4 years. 4 th floor of St Jude Hospital is dedicated to ESA 1 st Workshop Coordinator elected

1976 -77 Loretta Roberts State membership newsletter initiated Officer Reception replaces President’s reception 1 st joint meeting with Headquarters, IC and the ESA Foundation in Co. Past Presidents used in Opening Ceremonies for the first time.

1977 -78 – Elsie Shiramizu St. Jude Department at Headquarters named “Circle of Life” Lindamond Project was presented to a joint effort of IC and ESA Foundation for those with reading and spelling difficulties. A project was started to build a school in Guatemala in cooperation with CARE was approved Elsie goes to the White House to commemorate the Papanikolous Commemorative stamp. (Pap Smears)

Kansas – 1978 -1983 Honoring our past Opal Reiger 1978 -79 Jean Beetem 1980 -81 Joyce Marrs 1979 -80 Marilyn Herren 1982 -83 Judy Ary 1981 -82

1979 -80 – Gennie Haralson State President’s start naming themselves as well as the St. Jude Coordinators. 50 th Anniversary celebrated in Denver 1 st All-Faiths Flag was used 1 st $1 million raised in a single year presented to Danny Thomas “ESA, Fifty Years of Caring” was published.

1979 -80 – Judy Rittiman ESA Foundation Scholarship program was adopted ESA was surveyed to profile the average ESA member Australia wins bid to host IC convention in “ 81” Following “Holidays ‘a la Carte” the second cookbook, “Casserole Cookery” is published by Headquarters.

1980 -81 – Carol Ann Rathman 1976 First $1 million ( - 4 years) presented to St. Jude 1978 – Circle of Life department is formed at ESA Headquarters. 1978 – ESA Foundation adopts the Lindamond reading program. First $1 million raised in one year presented to St. Jude. 1978

1981 -82 – Lou Wolfe 1979 The ESA Foundation Scholarship Program is adopted. 1980 – joint project ESA HQ and IC “The Reach Out Seminars. ” Easter Seal is adopted as the second Philanthropic Project by the International Council 1985 – ESA Headquarters hires BJ Clark as its Executive Director – she will retire in 2014.

1982 -83 - Betty Sanders First Collegiate chapter chartered in Indiana. Ks will get 3 collegiate chapters – currently one at KU. First DESA chapter chartered in Florida 1987. (1992) Hope for Heroes Program introduced First Million Dollar bike ride from Memphis to Little Rock 1987.

Kansas – 1983 -1988 Honoring our past Geri Benton 1983 -84 Kay Ross 1985 -86 Joan Bourn 1984 -85 Shirley Campbell 1987 -88 Verneene Forssberg 1986 -87

1983 -84 – Pat Hansen Associate Member program initiated by HQ. ESA Junior Assemblies were co -ventured for HQ and Cotillion Director Jon Williams. The Horizon Challenge Camp was introduced through HQ and held in Denver. First Easter Seal training seminar held.

1984 -85 - Grace Mullenix 1991 - First Vision Award – given to Danny Thomas (posthumously) 1992 Care Connection program initiated by HQ – Hats for Hope 1992 (1996) 1 st St Jude Walk at Kansas Convention $6000 First $2 million check presented to St. Jude in 1993.

1985 -86 – Lisa Kolstad 1986 – Easter Seal and Goodwill are joined in Kansas IC adopts Easter Seal as 2 nd Philanthropic project 6 th Degree added to Pallas Athene program - 1986

1986 -87 – Corinne Milburn 1992 – first long range planning meeting for all ESA members held by HQ – called the “ESA Super Summit” ESA celebrates $25 million to St Jude in 1996. Legacy Program initiated by HQ 1996 Warm Welcome Program”

1987 -88 - De. Etta Charpie Walkin the Dog program to raise funds for St. Jude introduced by HQ. First Junior and Senior Youth awards presented by IC in 1998. First Desa Chapter formed in Florida 1987 Hope for Heroes – 1992

Kansas – 1988 -1993 Honoring our past Coleen Cape 1988 -89 Charlene Hanson 1990 -91 Kay Foster 1989 -90 Donna Dawson 1992 -93 Margaret Shook 1991 -92

1988 Liz White & Joan Friend 1990

1990 Phyllis Cash & Martha Beshears 1992

1992 Mary Frost & Kaye Genovese 1994

1994 Cathy Holsted & Barbara Campbell 1996

1996 Linda Bomar & Virginia Clagett 1998

Kansas – 1993 -1998 Shelah Goyer 1993 -94 Mary Hill 1995 -96 Susan White 1994 -95 Karen Lowery 1997 -98 Helen Stitt 1996 -97

1998 Joan Bourn & Charlotte Garrett 2000

2000 Flora Burns & Bobbie Massey 2001

Kansas – 1998 -2003 Honoring our Past Cindy Rodman 1998 -99 Connie Hoch 2000 -2001 Linda Schmidt 1999 -2000 Phyllis Wheaton 2002 -2003 Susan Winters 2001 -02

2001 Pat Griffin & Rosalie Griffith 2004

Kansas: 2003 -2008 Denise Masterson 2005 -2006 Maureen Wells 2003 -2004 Karen Knorp. Brown 2004 -2005 Pam Mc. Elvain 2007 -2008 Charlotte Combs 2006 -2007

2004 Coleen Cape and Judy King 2006

2006 Brenda West & Rhea weaver 2008

2008 Judy Huntley & Jamie Atchinson 2010

Kansas: 2008 -2014 Joy Thornbrugh 2008 -2009 Pat Josey 2009 -2010 Phyllis Simmons 2012 -2013 Kim Kummer 2010 -2011 Marsha Barnes 2011 -2012 Judy Ahrens 2013 -2014

(2012) “ 1 st Cookin for the Kids” made over $7000 for St. Jude – adopted by Headquarters (2012) Santa America – adopted by 2014 IC President

2010 Dora Dill & Rose Pasillas 2012

2012 Susan Winters & Vicki Jones 2014

2015 We are now ready to make and pass $200 million donated to St. Jude Research Hospital ESA HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF GOOD WORKS!

ESA continues more than 80 years later to meet the challenges of its mission to promote education, leadership and service. It is an organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of all that it touches.