The city … Richmond, Virginia … the year … 1944 … Best friends in high school and college pals decided to form a club. They named the club Epicureans, depicting their motto "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry." Their colors … ebony and ivory, and their flower the red rose.
Through the years, the group changed as the friends moved to various parts of the country... And so it was... In an effort to maintain their friendships and make new friends; the club became a national organization. The club evolved … it became … "The
National Epicureans, Incorporated" on February 13, 1952. Today there are 22 chapters,
yearly conclaves, a National Project, a National Choir a Website, and chapters continue to induct many, many new, young, members.
The National Epicureans, Incorporated formerly known as the “Epicureans,” was organized in 1944 in Richmond, Virginia by a group of young women who had been high school and college friends. The Richmond Epicureans applied for a charter on March 28, 1951 and became the National Epicureans, Incorporated. The charter was issued by the state of Virginia in February 13, 1952. The overall purpose of this organization is to inspire its members to a high moral, intellectual, social, and civic standing and to that end, it shall have the power to promote and sponsor social, cultural, literary, and charitable affairs.
In 1944, a group of young women residing in Richmond, Virginia who had been high school and college friends formed a club. The Founders of the Richmond club were: Mary Hewlett Brown, Elsie Taylor Brown, Thelma Johnson Hall, Ruby Ellis Mitchell, Eddie Nicholson Patrick. These young women selected the name Epicurean with the meaning of “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry”. This name was suggested by Thelma Johnson Hall. Through the years, the group changed as its members moved to various parts of the country. In order to keep old friendships alive and make new friends, it was suggested by Bernice Davis Winston and agreed upon by the group that a National organization be formed. On March 28, 1951, the Richmond Epicureans applied for a charter and became National Epicureans, Inc., the charter was issued by the State of Virginia on February 13, 1952. The purpose of this organization is to promote the social, cultural, literary, civic, moral, and benevolent interest and welfare of its members. The founders and charter members of the National Epicureans were: Helen Sampson Brooks, Elsie Taylor Brown, Florence Perkins Dagner, Thelma Gilliam Fields, Ellalee Fountain Flowers, Ollie B. Gee, Thelma Johnson Hall, Ruby Ellis Mitchell, Eddie Nicholson Patrick, Grace Blackwell Perkins, Gwendolyn Dawson Robbins, Thelma Mealy Robinson, Bernice Davis Winston, Alberta Howell Tyson. Richmond was host to the first National Conclave which was held on June 1952. The following chapters were represented at the first conclave: Richmond, Danville, Washington, Portsmouth.
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