Epsilon Sigma Iota

History

Epsilon Sigma Iota Sorority, Incorporated (ESI) was founded on November 4, 1920 and incorporated on June 17, 1921 at Howard University School of Law. The founding women of excellence were Pearl Beldon, Willie Hazel Blount, Ollie May Cooper, Margaret DuBose, May Corinne Martin, Bertha C. McNeil, Zephyr Abigail Moore, and Gladys Tignor Peterson.

The organization was chartered with a threefold purpose. First, the sorority was to serve as a tool to motivate women to become lawyers. Second, it was to serve as a conduit to placing female Howard Law graduates in meaningful legal careers. Finally, it was to create a useful network of female graduates.

Mission

To encourage women to assume leadership positions in law school and throughout the legal community, to provide opportunities for networking and mentorship, and to promote the role of women as legal practitioners, academicians and scholars. The Sorority is to serve as a vehicle for achieving these goals, with an ultimate aim of facilitating the overall advancement of women, especially those of African descent, in the legal profession. While ESI’s mission continues to encompass the focus of networking and mentorship that was established by our founders, we have additionally committed ourselves to community outreach and economic development.

ESI seeks to empower women through programs that focus on academic, professional and personal development. Most importantly, we encourage women to assume leadership positions at the law school and in the greater legal community.

Purpose

Epsilon Sigma Iota, incorporated in 1921, was founded for social and educational purposes, and to induce other women to enter into the study of law. Today, our focus has expanded to include promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession, especially those of color and from disadvantaged backgrounds, for the ultimate purpose of achieving a better, more prosperous society.

Contributions

Please feel free to help support the mission and purpose of Epsilon Sigma Iota Sorority, Incorporated by donating to our organization. If you are interested in contributing,
please contact our Treasurer: Zaneika McNeil

Programs

Women Who HUSL

Traditionally held during fall orientation, Women Who HUSL is moderated panel discussion that includes high achieving women pursuing a variety of careers within the field of law. The discussion provides incoming students with advice on how to succeed in law school. 

After the panel, there is a mixer that provides an opportunity for incoming students to socialize with the panelists, other attendees and members of ESI. 
 

Networking 101

Networking 101 generally takes place during ESI Week, where a panel of sorority alumnae discuss important “do’s and don’ts” of networking in various settings.

Attendees are given the opportunity to ask legal professionals specific questions about successful networking skills. The Program is followed by a networking reception.


 

2023-2024 Executive Board

President	Christelle Tchaou
Vice President	Samayia Taylor
Treasurer	Zaneika McNeil
Secretary	Leila Young
Historian	Askhari Little
Parliamentarian	Brea Williams
Sisterhood Chairs	Tomara Dorsey
	Jasmine Sinkler
Membership Intake Chairs	Lauren Fleming
	Jasmine Loston
Community Service Chairs	Tiara Milner
	Laila Mustafa
Public Relations Chairs	Jereigha Robinson
	BréYhana Johnson
National Chapter Delegate	Ella Rae Zanders
Alumnae Liaison	Kenadi Mitchell

Membership

2023 Membership Intake Class

• Joyshka Dennis
• Tomara Dorsey
• Trinity Gore
• Nastassia Janvier
• BréYhana Johnson
• Peyton Jones
• Zaneika McNeil
• Tiara Milner
• Laila Mustafa
• Jereigha Robinson
• Jasmine Sinkler
• Brea Williams
• Leila Young
• Ella Rae Zanders

2022 Membership Intake Class

• Ailani Acey
• Lauren Fleming
• Ylisha Ford
• Dominique "Dom" Hall
• Askhari Little
• Catrina Livermore
• Jasmine Loston
• McKinley McNeill
• Kenadi Mitchell
• Samayia Taylor
• Christelle Tchaou
• Bridget Warlea
• Ashley Washaya

2021 Membership Intake Class

• Jade Bismark
• Rianna Felder
• Kayla Gardner
• T'Yana Glaze
• Leah Herring
• Adaeze Ohanenye
• Aminah Ortiz-Simon
• Brittnie Reeves
• Ebony Turner
• Deanna Williams
• Feven Yohannes

2020 Membership Intake Class

• Abeje Bagamba
• Ashley Grey
• Alicia Hines
• Mahaylia Hines
• Olivia Jenkins
• Brianna Lucas
• Adrienne Parms
• RaCia Poston
• Emony Robertson
• Bethany Thomas
• Melita Wallace

2019 Membership Intake Class

• Sabrina Bey
• Kristen Bonner
• Chrystal Cantrelle​
• Alexis Chambers
• Faith Flugence​
• Danielle Godwin
• Amber Jones
• Alexa King
• Megan Moffett
• Ashlyne Polynice​
• Elizabeth Rice
• Naomi Rodriguez
• Kayla Strauss
• Alix Tearney
• Aysha Thompson
• Jaz Williams

2018 Membership Intake Class

• Chassity Bobbitt 
• Courtnee Brinker 
• Jamila Cambridge 
• Eviealle Dawkins 
• Idia Egonmwan 
• Rishele Ellison 
• Darica Fenner 
• Mulunesh Gerima 
• Eryn Howington 
• Nelisa Inyang 
• Yolanda Long 
• Oretha Manu 

2017 Membership Intake Class

• Brya Adams
• Aleena Aspervil
• Peyton Chaney
• Barri Dean
• Nyajuok Deng
• Leonette Rainey-Hammett
• Lauryn Harris
• Briana Hinton
• Korey Johnson
• Shenna Johnson
• Christian Malik
• Karla Mardueno
• Ky’Eisha Penn
• Olivia Sedwick
• Makida Seward
• Vanessa Stephens
• Sheyla Soriano
• Denys Symonette
• LaChe' Thomas
• Rachel Webb

2016 Membership Intake Class

• Olufunlola Adeoye
• Olamide Fadahunsi
• Nicole Franks
• Madison Gibbs
• Melody Godbolt
• Ashley Jones
• Frances Lawson
• Brittney Martin
• Dana McCann
• Monique Peterkin
• Niya Rafari-Pearson
• Katrenia Shelly
• Manonh Soumahoro

2015 Membership Intake Class

• Nadia Baksh
• Ashley Beard
• Danica Brown
• Leslie Gouthro
• Kandyce Jackson
• Lauren Jackson
• Alexis James
• April Jones
• Victoria Mansoor
• Shaneka McKellar
• Shaquila Montgomery
• Jennifer Moore
• Helen Osun
• Vianca Simpson
• Leonie Stoute
• Desirae Tongco
• Keitshawna Williams

2014 Membership Intake Class

• Nairuby Beckles
• Ashley Bennett
• Sharifa Crawford
• Stephanie De Los Santos
• Sitota Douglas
• Ashlyann Harrison
• Karissa Johnson
• Morgan Logan
• Alicia Lee
• Amber Mason
• Akasha Perez
• Monica Reid
• Monisola Salaam
• Chastity Threadcraft
• Tanesha Viverette

2013 Membership Intake Class

• Pembe Besingi
• Ashley Cross
• DeNealia Cunningham
• Tabitha Ferrer
• Ashley Foote
• Ashley Futrell
• Felecia Hunter
• Mercedes Knight
• Skylah Mitchell
• Cadene Russell
• Latisha Spence-Rivera
• Dominique Wales
• Brittany Williams

2012 Membership Intake Class

• Alexia Brown
• Darra Demps
• Karen Egbuna
• Tamika Hawkins
• Erika James
• Brandi Lofton
• Melissa Lovell
• Ashley Reece
• Ashley Sawyer
• Tiana Towns
• Brandi Twiggs
• Cindy Unegbu
• Sierra Wallace

2011 Membership Intake Class

• Kendra Courtney Adjei
• Auborn Finney
• Gabrielle Hall
• Laura Harding
• Samantha Hoagland
• Jackie Ihekwaba
• L’Kel Little
• Mikhaila McNicholls
• Amber Melton
• Yolanda Melville
• Taneka Miller
• Michelle Mills
• Nadine Mompremier
• Jasmine Negron
• Angela Porter
• Violet Richardson
• Courtney Scrubbs

2010 Membership Intake Class

• Stella Adegite
• Taris Burgess
• Katina Chase
• Nicole Grant
• Tamika Griffin
• Sha-Kara Jackson 

2009 Membership Intake Class

• Stacy Allen
• Jessica Cooper
• Kristin Dobbs
• Aliciamarie Johnson
• Rachel Johnson
• Nadia Jones
• Leila Khazra
• Taylor Lewis
• Margarita Macon
• Alexius Parraway
• Deenea Shepherd
• Fathia Touray 

2008 Membership Intake Class

• Kemba Bowles
• Christina Calloway
• Courtney Dixion
• Izu Emeagwali
• Koryn High
• Jeanne Laurenceau
• Ashley Lawson
• Regine Pointdujour

2007 Membership Intake Class​

• Megan Boler
• Regina Brooks
• Tracy Burgess
• Shara Chang
• Danielle Davis
• Christa Forman
• Lindsay Hamilton
• Michele Jones
• Denise Linton
• Natalia Menesese-Brooks
• Jennifer Na
• Chanda Rice
• Valerie Rivers
• Shaili Shah
• Shannon Stokes
• Tiffany Tucker
• Krystal Williams 

2006 Membership Intake Class​

• Gina Antillus
• Lynettra Artis
• Marcia Bowman
• LaTasha Carter
• Nina Frant
• Tina Greene
• Amy Hatcher
• Whitney Jordan
• Maria Lloyd
• Ayana Robertson
• April Williams 

2005 Membership Intake Class​

• Shabnam Ahmed
• Joye Anderson
• Kasara Davidson
• Shirlethia Franklin 
• Josephine Harriott 
• Stephanie Harris 
• Kamilah House 
• Erin Johnson 
• Tia Lance 
• Angela Lipscomb
• Ekwutozia Nwabuzor
• Tony Sweeney
• Alexis Sykes
• Diana Vilmenay
• Reyna Walters

2004 Membership Intake Class​

• Lenye Adams
• Racquel Callender
• Shannon Davis
• Stacey Demps
• Keri Foster
• Shrena Fraser
• Charlotte Grissom
• Sasha Hodge-Wren
• Michelle Miller
• Bernice Mireku
• Autumn Montague
• Adeyinka Oyesile
• Kristen Phinnessee

2003 Membership Intake Class​

• Dalila Best
• Alesia Black
• Miesha Darrough
• Carmiece Graves
• Jennifer Hare
• Janelle White-Jones
• Fasha Lewis
• Lani Shaw
• Tameka Simmons
• Natalie Ward
• Rachel Zinman

2002 Membership Intake Class​

• Nebiat Baaraz
• L’Erin Barnes
• Stephanie Bea
• Salihah Essed
• Genelle Francis
• Da’Net Henderson
• Antoinette Kirwan
• Stacy Ann Llwellyn
• Jocelyn Newman
• Nkechinyem Nwabuzor
• Ericka Thompson
• Natasha A. Yates

Honorary Members

• Rhea Ballard-Thrower
• Okianer Christian Dark
• Ursula Tracy Doyle
• Dione Duckett
• Marsha Echols
• Alice Gresham-Bullock
• Lenese Herbert
• Danielle Holley-Walker
• Laurence Nolan
• Alice Thomas
• Patricia Worthy

Establish A Chapter

If you are interested in establishing a law school chapter or Alumni chapter of Epsilon Sigma Iota Sorority, Incorporated, please contact the National Advisory Board at the following:

Epsilon Sigma Iota Sorority, Incorporated
Attention: National Advisory Board
2900 Van Ness Street, NW
410 Notre Dame Hall
Washington, DC 20008