Whether members enjoy an independent membership in ESO, or they choose to join with their sisters and form a “ESO club,” reading enriches their lives. Several clubs have joined together, enjoying fellowship through projects by inviting guest authors, enjoying field trips and sharing their books.
Pictured here is an example of a fun and creative ESO project. ESO members placed a “leave your thoughts” mailbox in the WC of Clayton’s Community Garden. Visitors as far away as Finland and Brazil left their “thoughts” of gratitude.
Why the Greek Name?
Epsilon Sigma Omicron has an interesting history. Indiana WC and the State University collaborated and created a program that allowed women to gain college credit through the completion of a required reading list in 1928. It was given a Greek name as a sorority because it began as a college program. Two years later, GFWC added ESO to its projects and individual states followed with their own chapters. It is now a structured reading program for the purpose of promoting educational pursuits. It also serves as a stimulus for self-improvement. This history can be found under My Digital Library in the www.GFWC.Org Member Portal. This site is an excellent source of information, but keep in mind that each state has its own requirements. GFWC-NC members must use NC categories and forms, and follow the NC ESO Bylaws.
Three Easy Steps to Joining ESO
- Submit a Pledge Application with a check for $2.00 payable to GFWC-NC to: Hilda Jernigan, 416 Cobblestone Ct, Burlington, NC 27215.
- Read over the documents that are sent to you in the Acknowledgement email. These include the Bylaws, report forms, categories, and GFWC History of ESO and a list of suggested books from GFWC. If possible, save these for easy access.
- Complete one report of four books in one of the Reading Categories and either mail or email to hildajernigan1@gmail.com (that is “ r n,” not “m”). Although a pledge has two years to submit 4 reports of 4 books, it is best to submit at least one report the first calendar year. Every submission will be acknowledged with a copy of your own spreadsheet. Your complete source of information is the GFWC-NC.org website. Click on ESO under the Community Service tab.
Book Reviews
Two members contacted me about books they thought were exceptional in their relevance to our current times. Many thanks to Linda Browne at the Warrenton WC for her review of Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, and to Lynn Odom of the Durham WC for her review of Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Though not new publications, they are timeless in their value; Click to read reviews.
NEW this administration: ESO Facebook Online Book Group of GFWC
This nationwide book club is well underway. Unlike the traditional ESO, all participants read the same book for the month and have opportunities to discuss and participate in activities related to the book once a week. The GFWC Education & Libraries CSP Chairman Tina Daniels posts a monthly newsletter which outlines the schedule for each month and the upcoming books to be read. This is forwarded by Eva Jackson, GFWC NC Education & Libraries CSP Chairman to the GFWC-NC District Presidents, and they forward it to the GFWC-NC Club Presidents. Not an ESO member yet? Request to be added to the GFWC 2020-22 ESO Book Club on Facebook. Please keep up with hours spent on this online club and report this for each club to your state ESO Chairman 
hildajernigan1@gmail.com.
The Women’s Club of Clayton hosted a Sesquicentennial Literary event with Special Guest Speaker, Scott Mason, the Tar Heel Traveler. He presented his latest book and spoke about his experiences traveling throughout North Carolina. The ESO group designed a bookmark to note the 100-year anniversary of the Club and the Sesquicentennial of Clayton. Each attendee received a bookmark. Pictured to the right is a theme decorated table and pictured below is the Women’s Club of Clayton ESO members receiving their certificates last year. This project was recognized as a 2019 GFWC Top Ten Project.
