Welcome to the Atlanta Branch of the English-Speaking Union

The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a membership organization
whose mission is carried out locally by the efforts of the Atlanta Branch, which was
founded in 1940. We support educational programs and activities for our
members, and for high school students and teachers in the greater Atlanta
community. High school students perform Shakespeare at the school and
community levels. With the financial sponsorship of the Atlanta Branch, the branch
winner then participates in the National Shakespeare Competition in New York.
The Atlanta Branch provides scholarships to high school teachers for summer
study in Great Britain and funds grants for Study Abroad programs for college and
university students. The Atlanta Branch also supports the Educational Department
of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company for student interns and outreach programs.
Additionally, the Atlanta Branch hosts monthly programs and events for members
from September through June each year. These include speaker and book author
programs, luncheon events with speakers, an annual Garden Party, and other
social and cultural opportunities. Members have the opportunity to expand their
own social network by participating in our local events, and benefit from our
affiliation with the international English-Speaking Union, founded in 1918
headquartered at Dartmouth House in London, England.
We welcome new members to any of our programs. Join us as we work to support
students and teachers and make a difference in our community.

The English-Speaking Union

Atlanta Branch

Atlanta ESU Officers

Kim Scholes Ogburn
Chairman

Johnnie Zarzeka
President

Fay Selvage
Vice President

Adam Ogburn
Treasurer

Dana Azar
Secretary

Atlanta ESU Board of Directors

 Camille Yow

Clarke Goodwin

David Robichaud

Don Pattillo

Lyn Hovanesian

Sally Parsonson

Stephen Zarzeka

JoAnn Turner

George Bevington

Jennifer Ham

Honorary Members

His Majesty’s Consul-General, Honorable Rachel Galloway

Committees

Johnnie Zarzeka
Programming/TLab

Diane and Randy Brannen
Shakespeare Competition

Kim Scholes
Communications and Social Media

David Robichaud
Grants

Lyn Hovanesian
Hospitality

Stephen Zarzeka
Governance

Past Presidents

Susan Phillips
2023-present

Charles Maddrey
2021-2023

Don Pattillo
2020-2021

 

Atlanta Branch Region