Scholarship History

The Kansas State Council Endowment was established by the Kansas State Council June 1, 1988. The scholarship was first awarded in 1993.

The Kansas State Council began during the depression years, with the first chapter chartered in Salina in 1930. Kansas has taken its place from the beginning by supporting the efforts of ESA International. The original ESA headquarters was established in Kansas City, MO. The national Convention of ESA was held in Kansas City, MO, in 1938, where two of our local women were installed as national officers of ESA. This convention established May 1 as ESA International Founders’ Day.

During the 1940’s, the economic situation continued to be hard, and America was involved in World War II, so the membership turned their attention to the war effort. After the war, the ESA membership once again turned its attention to building ESA’s membership. ESA headquarters was moved to Ft. Collins, CO. Kansas added more chapters and once again hosted the National Advisory Council Convention in Wichita. The Kansas State Council was officially established in 1946 in Hutchinson, KS, with Zura Crockette-Dittman from Iota Kappa Chapter serving as president the first two years. Kansas had 46 chapters at this time.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s Kansas remained active on the International level, promoting ESA by supporting candidates running for office and hosting the ESA IC Convention. Jessie McAdoo Little from Kansas served as International President and established the Disaster Fund, which aids ESA members. The Kansas State Council joined the Kansas Council of Women in 1957, which was made up by 29 other women organizations in Kansas with national affiliations. In the 50’s, the Council was led by Grace Stoner, Mildred Keller, Jessie Little, Beryle Elliott, Faye Jordan, Kay Lavelle, Irene Ramsey, Hazel Hayes, Jerry Phillips, and Mary Booe. Kansas continued to keep its interest in the International involvement when Irene Ramsey was elected IC President in 1966. Kansas chapters began to become increasingly involved in philanthropic endeavors as the objectives of ESA evolved from a reading society. In the 60’s, the Council was led by Lois Mayall, Betty Guthrie, Louise Woods, Bonnie Gunter, Velma Harness, Dee Quade, Katy Mills, Kathleen Lutz, and Gladys Shook. Kansas adopted the Institute of Logopedics as a state project, which aids communication handicaps.

In the 1970’s, the Kansas State Council was led by Lorita Von Niederhausern, Maxine McKeever, Anne Langenfeld, Jean Wells, Betty Spicer Hawkins, Dotty Keenan, Mary Daniels, Florence Ellis, Joan Friend, and Opal Regier. The Council became a part of the national effort to coordinate a POW-MIA letter writing campaign to free Vietnam prisoners and started donating to the ESA national project of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raising one million dollars. The Council proudly joined the newly formed ESA Foundation. Irene Ramsey became the first Chairman of the ESA Foundation Board.

In the 1980’s, as ESA International celebrated its Golden Jubilee in Denver, CO, Kansas had six of the oldest chapters recognized. Pauline Cowger, from the first Kansas Chapter, Omicron, received her 60 – year pin. The women heading the Kansas Council in the 1980’s were Joyce Marrs, Jean Beetem, Judy Ary, Marilyn Herren, Geri Benton, Joan Bourn, Kay Ross, Verneene Forssberg, Shirley Campbell, and Coleen Cape. The Kansas State Council Endowment was established during Shirley Campbell’s year. Joan Friend served as ESA International Council President representing the Council’s continued commitment to international leadership.

In the 1990’s, the Kansas State Council had two, fully funded endowments registered with the ESA Foundation. The women leading the Council were Kay Foster, Charlene Hansen, Margaret Shook, Donna Dawson, Shelya Goyer, Susan White, Mary Hill, Helen Stitt, Karen Lowery, and Cindy Rodman. Joan Bourn served as President of ESA International Council. Kansas proudly accepted recognition for becoming a million dollar state for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This along with its continued dedication to support Heartsping [formerly Logopedics] has supported many philanthropic efforts throughout communities in the state. Thousands of hours and dollars have been donated to aid those in need by members of ESA in Kansas. The Kansas Council is proud to be among the first state councils to become a member of the ESA Foundation and to support its efforts to serve human needs.

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1 @ $950.00

Judging Criteria

Service / Leadership: 15%
Financial Need: 50%
Scholastic Ability: 25%

Requirements
GPA
Min: 3.00
Max: 4.00
State
Kansas

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