Epsilon Sigma Alpha International () is an International community and collegiate coeducational service organization. Established in 1929, Epsilon Sigma Alpha is a network of an estimated 10,000 members in over 1,000 community-based chapters, with coordinating organizations at state and international levels. ΕΣΑ also includes United States collegiate chapters that provide charitable service to their campuses and communities.

History

Adelia Prichard of Oregon, a national president of Business and Professional Women's Clubs from 1923 to 1925, spearheaded the sorority's organization by proposing a national education and service sorority. In 1929, a group of community-oriented women in Jacksonville, Texas drafted an organization charter. With ten signatures, a national charter was issued to ΕΣΑ by the state of Missouri on February 11, 1930. The organization still functions under the original charter but is now incorporated in the state of Colorado.

Prichard was appointed the first national director and spearheaded the sorority's early growth. She also designed the sorority's badge and selected its flower and colors.

  • Pearl Kinman
  • Clara Leach
  • Adelia Prichard of Portland, Oregon Its motto is "All for one and one for all."

Epsilon Sigma Alpha's crest is a shield divided in the middle by a chevron containing six candles. Above the chevron to the left is an open book and, to the right is a jonquil. Below the chevron are the clasped hands of friendship. Above the shield is a lamp. Below it is a scroll bearing the Greek letters .

Philanthropy

Chapters, both independently and jointly, conduct fundraising activities for charitable causes. As the care and expenses of handicapped children are a current ESA priority, the international Philanthropic Projects of Epsilon Sigma Alpha are St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Easter Seal Society. As of July 2006, ΕΣΑ had raised over 100 million dollars for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, meeting an organization goal for their 75th anniversary. [http://www.stjude.org/groupsandorgs/0,2602,570_3072_11744,00.html] As of 2019, the organization has helped raise more than $245 million in cash and pledges for the kids of St. Jude. ΕΣΑ has endowed the St. Jude Bone Marrow Transplant area in the hospital's Patient Care Center and the fourth floor of the ALSAC Tower.

Through their efforts to raise awareness and funds, ΕΣΑ helps support Easterseals and has been a supporter of Easterseals since 1982 when they were adopted as a second International Project. Since that date ΕΣΑ has raised over $6 million.

ΕΣΑ also encourages each local chapter to select and support local benevolent, charitable, or civic enterprises. ΕΣΑ activities on local levels may be jointly organized with men's fraternal organizations, including the Lions Clubs International. As a whole, the chapters have created an impressive record of service. Each year, members help raise millions of dollars for philanthropic projects and give an estimated 650,000 hours of personal service.

In addition, the ΕΣΑ Foundation supports education through an ongoing Scholarship/Endowment Program and provides grants to individuals involved in charitable service for children and adults.

Notable members

  • Adelia Prichard (Founders chapter), national president of Business and Professional Women's Clubs