GFWC & GFWC-MFWC Epsilon Sigma Omicron

Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society open to all per-capita paying GFWC federated club members. Over 60 years ago, the ESO program became a permanent part of the GFWC Education Department. Through ESO, clubwomen are given direction in planned reading for self-enrichment and personal growth. Many GFWC clubwomen have profited from this unique self-improvement program, seen as vital by the members it directly benefits.

ESO provides clubwomen with a structured reading program that is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. ESO goals include:

Members can participate in ESO as part of a reading group or on their own. The program provides membership, awards and certificates, pins, reading lists, and a framework in which to pursue continued self-improvement through reading. Many clubs combine club programming with ESO related activities, such as reading awareness and book promotion.

ESO Resources:

Contact Laura Ann Trigg, GFWC-MFWC ESO Chairman for more information.

 

"Reading with the President" Challenge

With ESO being an area of focus for the 2020-2022 Administration, we kicked off 2020 with a "Reading with the President" challenge.

Interested GFWC-MFWC members must first pass through the ESO pledge stage before they can become ESO members. The completion of an ESO pledge application is needed before a pledge can begin working towards membership status. The pledge application must be sent to the MFWC ESO chairman—Laura Ann Trigg, who will begin tracking the pledge’s progress. A pledge qualifies for membership at her own pace, finishing in a few weeks or working slowly throughout a longer period of time. After proper completion of 16 books, the pledge receives a certificate verifying her ESO membership.

In addition to the President’s Reading Challenge, there are many opportunities for ESO members to work their way up through the ESO levels. Clubwomen move to a new ESO level by completing a set of reading list requirements. The reading list is divided into subject categories. To complete a category, a member must read and report on four (4) books from that category.

ESO Levels

  • Pledge: A Pledge has obtained an enrollment application and has started to fulfill the reading requirements.
  • Member: A Member has completed four books from four different categories, for a total of 16 books. She is then eligible to wear the ESO pin and receive a membership certificate.

I believe this will be a great way to encourage and include other members, possibly being an avenue that would entice potential recruits into joining our Federation. 

Please consider joining us for this planned reading challenge as part of GFWC’s honorary educational society, Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO). Always remember that a well-read woman is a dangerous creature.