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 on 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.
The colors of the National Epicureans, Incorporated are ebony and ivory.
The flower of the National Epicureans, Incorporated is the red rose.
The motto of National Epicureans, Incorporated is “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry.”
L-R Front Row: Alberta Howell, Gwendolyn Dawson Ragland, Thelma Mealy Robinson, Ollie Bradford Gee, Ellalee Fountain Flowers, Thelma Gilliam Fields. Second row: Bernice Davis Winston, Elsie Taylor Brown, Florence Perkins Dagner, Helen Sampson, Thelma Earle Jonson, Ruby Ellis Mitchell. Not shown: Grace Blackwell Perkins
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, Elisie 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 interests 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.xmlrpc_decode
Richmond was host to the First National Conclave which was held in June 1952. The following chapters were represented at the first Conclave: Richmond, Danville, Washington, Portsmouth.
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