Founders’ Day is an opportunity for us to gather and honor the fourteen beautiful women who founded this amazing organization and who worked tirelessly to make the organization what it is today. We raise our glasses to the stars (our Founders) to embrace our motto:
Eat, Drink and Be Merry.
This special time can be thought of as a quiet, solemn ceremony celebrating the legacy of our fourteen beautiful leading ladies.
☞ To pay tribute to the wonderful fourteen women who made this organization happen.
☞ To resolve to build new chapters and sustain sisterhood built on sisterly kindness and caring.
Founders Day 2024 is certainly one to be remembered by The Atlanta and Decatur Chapters of National Epicureans, Inc. Eppies enjoyed a joint celebration on February 3, 2024 at the Elegant Occasions Event Center in historic Fairburn, Georgia.
The ambience of the room was epic with the table decor of Ebony table linen, Silver Candelabras, our Signature Red Roses and Pearls.
The Induction Ceremony was led by Eppie Alice Haynes, President, Eppie Darlene Yarbrough-Morgan, Vice President of the Atlanta Chapter. Members of the Decatur Chapter were invited to participate in the Pinning of the new members. Way to go Atlanta!
New members were gifted with signature Eppie Pins, Eppie Scarves from the Atlanta Chapter and an Epicurean Memento from the Decatur Chapter. The ceremony proved to be an exciting start for the new members and it concluded with a toast to Sisterhood and Sisterly love.
Our handsome Eppos whose always supportive of us joined our Founders Day Observance.
In recognition of Founders Day, we shared their history, identified them by name and developed a tablescape with, framed pictures, a memory light, our Eppie mannequin dressed for the occasion, roses and many Epicurean mementoes.
Guests enjoyed a luscious catered meal of Spring Salad, Citrus Glazed Salmon, baked Chicken, Fiesta Yellow Rice, Seasoned Green Beans, Rolls and Gourmet Mini Desert Cakes.
We ate, we drank and we danced, we danced, we danced
Eppies Evelyn Heyward, Jennifer Brown (President), Ruth Taylor, Maggie Gary, Deborah Cummings, Madelin Guy, Damali Harris, Danielle Hardee Seated: Eppies Pearl Gibbs & Dr. Delores Gibbs
Eppos Jay Cummings, Jerry Taylor, Michael Heyward, Keith Harris
We took time to honor our Founders as we connected and reflected on this great legacy—Epicureans. The history was shared by Eppie Damali Harris and Eppie Madelin Guy shared photos from the past. Afterwards eating, drinking, & merriment was the order of the day and fun was had by all.
Chicago Chapter Eppies observed Founders’ Day following our Monthly Meeting on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Eppie Barbara Akpan graciously hosted the meeting at her lovely home. In recognition of Founders’ Day, we provided information for the benefit of our newest members on the history of our National Organization, including how it was originally formed and the purpose and intent of our dear founding members. As our illustrious founders were saluted and celebrated, very special recognition and appreciation was extended to our local Founder, Eppie Mamie Grady. Our Charter members: Eppies Deborah Taylor, Sandra Pletz, and Diane McGhee Tyler were also acknowledged and given special recognition.
Chicago Chapter President, Eppie Rochelle Jones, shared a Founders’ Day Trivia game, to recapture and familiarize members with our visionary original Founders. She shared details of how this wonderful, dynamic organization was formed; and expressed how it continues to thrive to this day and beyond. This great fun exercise provided a refresher for longtime members and reminded all of us of how blessed we are to be part of such a wonderful Sisterhood that has lasted for seventy-plus years. We are equally grateful and excited to note that the Chicago Chapter will celebrate 20 years of this very special Sisterhood, as a part of the National Epicureans, Incorporated, in September 2024.
Upon completion of our Founders’ Day Observance, we were treated to a scrumptiously delicious meal, delectable desserts, drinks, and a beautiful, creative, parting gift, by our wonderful hostess, Eppie Barbara Akpan. It was a most special celebration that fully captured the Epicurean spirit – as we truly lived up to our Motto: “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!”
The Durham Eppies hosted a Joint Founders’ Day and Induction Ceremony on Saturday, February 10th at the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel. Seventy-eight Eppies and Eppos were in attendance. The Danville, Durham, Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh chapters attended. Eppie Joyce Long open the event with a prayer. Eppie JoLynn Collins gave greeting from the Durham chapter. Three candidates were inducted by National President Treva Pettis, Eppie Vanessa Cain (Danville) and Eppie Mildred Smith (Greensboro). The new Eppies are Eppie Coi Okaroh from Danville and Eppies Fanta Durley and Kesha McCollum from Greensboro. Following the induction ceremony, Eppie Iris Layne delivered the grace before Eppies & Eppos were directed to the buffet lunch. After lunch, the program continued with each chapter presenting their Chapter history. The chapter histories were presented by Eppie Vanessa Cain- Danville, Eppie Sharon Baker- Durham, Eppie Pia Holmes – Charlotte, Eppie Marilyn Davis - Greensboro, and Eppie Sharon McMillan – Raleigh. A closing prayer was read by all in attendance and the Eppie sisters sang our national song. It was a festive event!
Our Founders’ Day activities included an induction ceremony, a program honoring our beloved founders, a delicious brunch, and painting fun with a local artist. After partaking of the delectable brunch, four new members were installed in the Norfolk Chapter, thus fulfilling our founders’ legacy of growing the organization. Eppie Barbara Grant delivered an inspiring speech on sisterhood and friendship. Charter members of Norfolk and Portsmouth Charters were also paid a special tribute by Eppies Eleanor Griffin and Vivian Moore, respectively. There was a Sisters Speak moment with Eppies Winter Freeman and Cynthia Watson sharing sisterly wisdom. Many door prizes were given away.
For the painting activity, each member selected from a group of portraits originally drawn on canvas by the local artist, and they chose which paint colors to use. Everyone sipped sparkling cider and listened to soothing music while painting. This was a very relaxing activity with lots of laughter. Everyone had fun mixing colors and discovering their creative skills in painting. It was an afternoon well spent, eating, drinking and being merry. We are grateful to our founders who paved the way in starting this great organization of women, and we will endeavor to continue their legacy of building friendships and enhancing sisterhood. Norfolk Chapter hosted this event.
Eppies Winter Freeman and Cynthia Watson share sisterly wisdom during a “Sisters Speak” moment while honoring our beloved founders.
New Eppies take Epicurean pledge on Founders’ Day. Left to Right: Eppies Jacqueline Young, Velda C. Bell, Cheryl Dunbar Manley, and Paula K. Sayles.
Norfolk Chapter new inductees and their sponsors
Norfolk Chapter new inductees and their sponsors
Eppies Velda C. Bell(new), Eunice Sample, Paula K. Sayles (new),
Cheryl D. Manley(new)Eleanor Griffin, Jacqueline Young (new) and Janice Sims
The grace of God was truly upon us as the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Epicureans, Incorporated began their Founders Day celebration with an inspiring and uplifting worship service at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Spring House, Pennsylvania. Reverand Charles W. Quann and Lady Tanya Quann, who are members of the Philadelphia Chapter family, along with their congregation warmly welcomed us to their house of prayer. Through our annual worship service, we remain committed to being voices of God’s love, carriers of His compassion, and revealers of His goodness! The festivities continued with a celebratory luncheon at the historic Blue Bell in Montgomery County, PA. Eppie Monica Johnson Taylor welcomed attendees and shared the occasion for the program. Eppie Carolyn Gardner, assisted by Eppie Patricia Sawyer, Eppie Sylvia Bell, Eppie Patricia Horton, and Eppie Ellen Thomas, led an imaginary trip down memory lane in recognizing the National Founders. A backward glance at our organization revealed information on how the sister circle emerged, while highlighting special qualities and characteristics of each Founder. Eppie Carloyn shared thoughts on friendship as expressed by the Founders and emphasized the importance of their bond while combating racism and seeking civil rights. Eppie June Blue presented the Philadelphia Chapter’s history which led to a special recognition of our chapter’s founding member, Barbara J. White. Eppie Meridel Peterson thanked Eppie Barbara for her visionary leadership and presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. The chapter’s charter members and Eppos were recognized by Eppie Nancy C. Lee. We also took a moment to remember those members who have entered into the Kingdom of God. Following the invocation delivered by Eppie Tanya Quann, everyone was poised and prepared for an appetizing meal and the opportunity to engage in fellowship, while immersed in the Epicurean theory…Eat, Drink, and Be Merry! After lunch, Eppie Anieca Suber Houston led an engaging and enjoyable Friendship Activity that resulted in hearty laughter! The outgoing and incoming chapter officers were acknowledged by Eppie Monica Johnson Taylor, and the program closed with inspirational words from Reverand Charles W. Quann. We look forward to celebrating again next year and in the meantime, continuing to enjoy the blessings of health, happiness, and friendship
The Richmond Epicureans 73rd Annual Founder’s Day Celebration was a true reflection of appreciation honoring our Founders. The Richmond Chapter proudly carried on the tradition of the dynamic women who laid the foundation of the National Epicureans in this Founding Chapter during the celebration. To help celebrate and commemorate the organization’s founding members two outstanding speakers were invited to share valuable frames of reference during the commemoration.
Gary Flowers, known as an "Eppie Baby", shared warm memories about living through most of Epicurean history, thanks to his Mother Dear, Founder Ella Lee Fountain Flowers, and Eppo, "Big Staff" Flowers. Flowers as one of Richmond, Virginia’s premiere trailblazers was featured in the January 2024 Richmond Magazine and has been on the front lines of civil rights in the United States and human rights around the world for nearly 40 years. He has served at Hill, Tucker & Marsh Law firm, The Office of Governor L. Douglas Wilder, The Lawyers Committee Civil Rights, Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition and The Black Leadership Forum.
Sandee Smith, an outstanding leader and advocate in raising awareness on Sickle Cell Anemia and its advanced research shared valuable information during the Richmond Epicurean Chapter celebration. Smith discussed new and promising treatments for patients suffering with the disease proving to be successful. Smith leads the Unity Ride 4 Sickle Cell fundraiser group where they have partnered with the MCV Foundation, demonstrating her dedication to raising awareness and support for Sickle Cell disease research and advocacy. Smith, an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Richmond Alumnae Chapter, currently serves as the Chair of the Adopt A Street Committee, celebrating its 25th year in 2023. Smith is also the business owner of Hire 1 LLC, a Training and Developing Company specializing in essential skills training. Sandee Smith’s unwavering commitment to education, community service, and advocacy serves as an inspiration to all those who know her, and her impact in the Richmond, Virginia community proves to be truly invaluable. The Richmond Chapter celebration was a truly memorable occasion with a glimpse of Epicurean history provided by Gary Flowers. Then staying informed with Sandee Smith on promising research impacting our national project Sickle Cell Anemia. If you would like more information on Unity Ride 4 Sickle Cell regarding projects in May 2024, please contact Sandee Smith about upcoming projects unityride4sc@gmail.com.
With a backdrop of fourteen red roses representing the Founding and Charter members of our national organization and five candles representing the founders of our local chapter, we respectfully recounted the history of both. Our chapter was among the four that attended the first conclave in 1952 and we celebrate the fact that our own Eppie Katherine (Kitty) Cole, was the second president of National.
Immediate Past President of National and our esteemed member, Eppie Kathy Tanner, was in attendance along with seventeen Eppie sisters and a special guest. It was particularly special to us to have this time of reflection on our beginnings just a month after having inducted seven new members. Black History Month and Eppie history seemed a perfect pairing as we reviewed and celebrated our past.
Our gracious hostess, Eppie Helen Jackson Baker, topped off the occasion with the gift of the book, You Got This! an uplifting book/journal written by our own Eppie Pamela R Brown. It is special to us that Eppie Brown is the sister-in-law of our beloved late sister, Barbara L Lucas.
The roses represent our founding and charter members, and the five candles represent the founders of our local chapter.
