In 1929, ESA was chartered in Jacksonville, Texas for the purpose of preparing its members to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. More than 85 years later, ESA continues to meet this original goal through the educational, leadership, and service programs that were born through the organisation’s commitment to making a positive difference for its members and the causes they support.
Adelia Prichard, a national president of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs is credited with being the founder of ESA. The organisation’s original program focused on studying a series of great books, “The Writings of Mankind,” to provide educational benefits to its members. In time, ESA developed its own “What to Read News,” a magazine featuring writings from members and other prominent writers from around the world.
As World War II changed life, ESA expanded its educational focus to include philanthropic projects and public service activities. Among ESA’s first service projects were the USO (United Service Organisations) and the American Red Cross.
After the war, ESA became one of the first organisations to support the March of Dimes, participating in the Mother’s March – the first, largest concerted philanthropic effort to conquer polio. ESA also organised a number of international chapters. To this day, Australian chapters remain an important part of the organisation.
ESA continued to develop its interest for serving others, especially children. In 1972, ESA adopted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as its first international service project, and soon added Easter Seals as another official international project. Local chapters also are encouraged to support state and local charitable projects. Today, ESA continues to take an active role in hands-on projects such as “Hope for Heroes” to benefit military personnel and their families. ESA also established its own “Care Connection” to assist members and close friends and family in times of personal need.
In 1988, the first collegiate chapter of ESA was colonized on the campus of Ball State University. Since that time, many more collegiate chapters have been colonized. The growth of these chapters has been impressive. Collegiate ESA is known for setting high standards for leadership development and service on campuses across the nation.
In recent years, ESA has developed an Internet presence – even Internet chapters to help members keep their ESA connections when they are miles apart. Advancing technology continues to enhance the organisation’s commitment to education, service, and association by providing members with greater options for actively participating in ESA programs and projects.
ESA continues to bring good people together to prepare them to develop their positive potential through both good and difficult times. ESA’s network of more than 700 local and campus chapters and its more than 10,000 members continue to create a better world through excellent work locally, nationally, and internationally .
History of E.S.A. Australia
E.S.A. was introduced to Australia on 10th December, 1963, by Dorothy Banks (formerly Maslen). The inaugural meeting was held in Mr. Paul Comino’s Café in Childers, Queensland. Alpha Alpha Branch, Childers was chartered with 18 members, and the charter president was Thora Calder.
Up to 1973 Queensland had nine branches with 186 members. In 1977 thirty-nine branches had been established with a membership of over 600 members, which included an interstate Branch at Lismore, New South Wales, which brought about national status in Australia.
The first Queensland State Convention was held in Bundaberg, in 1966, with the theme “E.S.A. – Riches are for Sharing”. The first state president was Jean Piaggio.
In 1975 the state project, “Ride for Life” was launched to raise money for Cancer Research. The marathon bicycle ride covered a distance of 1,200 miles, from Cairns to Brisbane.
In May, 1978, the first E.S.A. Scholarship for cancer research was won by Miss Hilarie Heindorff, who furthered her studies in Canada and England.
In 1983 the Redcliffe Branch started a Princess Quest with 90% of the profits to be donated to the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland. The Quest eventually became too large for us to manage and it was handed over to the Leukaemia Foundation in 1994. When the Leukaemia Foundation’s accommodation centre at South Brisbane was opened, it was called ESA Village in recognition of our contribution to the Leukaemia Foundation.
Members in Australia celebrate E.S.A. Week in the second week of March to coincide with our Founder, Dorothy Bank’s birthday. It is in recognition of her founding E.S.A. in Australia.