P.E.O. FOUNDERS' DAY PROGRAM (By Katie Lehman, R, 1985)

Transcription

1 13 P.E.O. FOUNDERS' DAY PROGRAM (By Katie Lehman, R, 1985) NARRATOR: In honor of our P.E.O. Founders, we are going to attempt tonight to turn back the pages of history. While much is known about the founding, many of the details can only be surmised. Therefore, be aware that a certain amount of artistic license was required to put together this program. It is the tone and feeling that is recreated with as much accurate content as possible. While we can be proud of our cast, you will need to use your imaginations to transform them into their portrayals. Therefore, let me describe them briefly to you. MARY ALLEN: Twenty years old, described as tall, slender, graceful and always poised and dignified. She believed in the proper order of business, and was called a "practical Christian". ALICE BIRD: Often called Allie, she was nearly 19 years old, a girl of medium height, with very dark hair and eyes. She was a brilliant student, talented writer and speaker, expert on all literature, plus Greek and Latin. She had a streak of adventure in her generally serious demeanor. HATTIE BRIGGS: Twenty years old, she was above average size, with light skin, light brown hair, large blue eyes, with an ever-present smile. Calm, modest, and retiring, she was loved by all. Homeoriented, she was considered a natural wife and mother-type. ALICE COFFIN: Nearly 21 years old, she was a tall willowy blonde, handsome and graceful. (Her mother died when she was 9.) She had a pleasant, but complex personality -- cheerful and kind, but meditative and almost aloof at times. She was quick to anger, but equally quick to forgive. She was devoted to education. SUELA PEARSON: She was eighteen years old, and came from the most affluent family, and was also considered the most popular and beautiful. She was gay, charming, gracious, affectionate, plus was a good musician (singing) and enjoyed "elocution" -- dramatics. FRANC ROADS: She was almost 17 years old and was a nice looking girl, somewhat short, with dark hair and eyes. She was dynamic, energetic, with a progressive bent and a crusading spirit, somewhat serious and intellectual with artistic talent. ELLA STUART: Nearly 21 years old, she was small of stature, with curly auburn hair and deep blue eyes. Keen of wit, bright and cheerful, considerate -- a doer who was interested in all good works. She was the only one unable to graduate due to demands at home, where she was the oldest of six children left fatherless just four years prior. NARRATOR: Of the other 6, all were seniors, except Suela, who took more time to complete her courses and graduated three years later. It is notable that all the girls came from pioneer and religious backgrounds. Typical dress was described as "after-the-war" style garments of strong good dress material with wide flowing sleeves, clean white collars with big breast-pins, and hoop skirts. With these images in mind, let's take a trip back to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in January

2 FRANC: Good morning, Hattie! I see I'm not the only one who got up early to enjoy this respite in Iowa's normally cold winters! HATTIE: Yes, it really is hard to believe it's January 21st. It feels more like March. FRANC: I'm glad it's not, though. We've got a lot of course-work ahead of us before the end of winter semester. I've got Astronomy and Christianity under control, but am writing a difficult paper in Moral Philosophy. HATTIE: I wish I had your gift of speaking for our Rhetoric class, though, Franc. You have such progressive ideas, and express them so well. I'm already working in my oration for commencement, and that's nearly 5 months away! FRANC: Oh, Hattie, I get so excited about the new industrial and mechanical age we're living in. Here it is 1869 already -- Western Expansion is beginning to move even further West than Iowa. Despite that growth, Iowa Wesleyan is still one of only a few coeducational schools west of the Mississippi where we can earn a degree. So few women get the opportunity we have to get an education; we're just lucky our parents believe in educating their daughters. Our class nickname says it all -- the Lifeblood's. We may have acquired the name due to all the returning Civic war veterans, but it fits us, too. We are embarking on a new era for women, a new feminism proving that women can serve on the same plane as men. Thank goodness, someone here at I.W.U. finally realized that the female species is not too weakminded to handle Creek and Latin. Just look at Allie, who is tops in all the classic courses. I wish there was a way we could all make a name for ourselves. The Ruthean Society is nice -- for a literary society -- but that's all it is. I hoped the I.C. Sorosis Society would be a step forward when it organized last month. HATTIE: I agree that it is important to have societies for women. We need to band together in some fashion, and the idea of a secret society is exciting! Did Libby Brooks invite you to join the I.C.'s? FRANC: It wasn't important whether I personally was asked. What is important is that Libby knows the seven of us are closest friends, yet she deliberately split us up and only asked part of the group to join. I'd never join if we couldn't be together. HATTIE: Neither would I. Still, we're all campus leaders and we all believe in what women can accomplish; as a group, we probably could make a difference. Let's have a society of our own! FRANC: That's a wonderful idea. Why not? We could really show those I.C.'s! Let's discuss the idea with the girls. It's nearly 8:00 now, but if we can catch Mary and the others, perhaps we could meet for a few minutes after chapel. (Exit. Re-enter as a group, chattering excitedly). SUELA: Oh, this is so exciting! Let's do it! ALICE C: I agree. Could we meet this afternoon? ELLA: I'll arrange to reserve the music room in old main. We should have some privacy there! ALLIE B: Something to make it special? I'll start thinking about it right away! FRANC: Can we meet after classes today? 2

3 ALL (Ad lib): Sure. See you later! (Exit. Re-enter in two's and three's). MARY: I brought the old Bible down from the chapel. HATTIE: Everyone's here now, Franc. FRANC: Mary, would you lead us in prayer? MARY:... in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, Amen. ELLA: Allie, we're anxious to hear the oath. Did you have a chance to complete it? ALLIE B: Yes, though I had to go out to our summerhouse to find enough peace and quiet to sort out my thoughts. It's just 35 words long, but is basically a pledge of secrecy and a bond of sisterly love. Are you ready to hear it? ALICE C: I am, and then we'll all recite it in turn. MARY: Let's get started, then. I'd say the first order of business is to choose a name. Of course, if we're to be a secret society, no one outside the group should ever know what it really is. ALLIE B: The I.C.'s go by initials, which is secret, but identifiable. We could take a similar approach. SUELA: Let's make it something unusual that no one would ever guess! ELLA: And none of us shall ever say it aloud! HATTIE: I have an idea! A name that says something related to our unique friendship. P.E.O. would be our initials. I'll whisper it to you. (Whispers among the girls.) ALICE C: I like it! FRANC: Even the name will give us an edge! First, it was the "A" society, then the I.C.'s. We'll have three initials. That gives us enough possible word combinations to keep all hearers confused! MARY: Let's take a vote. All in favor say "Pro"... ALL: Pro! MARY: "Con?" It's unanimous. Now we are P.E.O. 's. The "P" could stand for "poised". We're all poised...and for proper, and even parliamentary procedure. We should make that a part of our meetings, too. Don't you think? ELLA: There are lots of possibilities! The "P" could also stand for philanthropy. I really believe in that! Maybe as a group we could help with various social service projects. ALICE C: And the "E" has to relate to education, which is why we're all here. FRANC: We could make a public stand for education for women, especially. I'd sure like to see the day when we had equal access to education and similar opportunities. 3

4 HATTIE: I'm sure we'd all agree with you, Franc; just don't forget that we're forming this society around our own love and friendship -- to show everyone we're as close as sisters! FRANC: All seven of us - and no person or circumstance can separate us! ALLIE B: Oh now. What about Carrie Woolson! If she hadn't been sent to Albion College this year, she'd be right here with us. She's an equally dear friend! Shouldn't we include her? SUELA: Oh, please, let us! I love her so, and she'd be heartbroken to be left out. MARY: She's coming home this spring. Couldn't we make her a P.E.O. then, if she's interested? ALICE C: I think that would be best, and it's only 6 weeks until then. SUELA: Could we have some kind of badge, or emblem so we can show other people what we are? ELLA: Something to symbolize our ideas, but something simple, too, which could be made into a pin. And, we could put our P.E.O. initials on it! But what? ALICE C: We've often said our basic goal is to search for the highest and best things that life could give. I think of the stars when I dream of my future, for both symbolize adventure into a vast and unlimited unknown. As the stars above provide a guiding light from our Lord, so perhaps might we be a sort of guiding light to others and ourselves. I can find meaning in a simple star. ALLIE B: Beautifully said, Alice. Should we vote on adopting a star for our emblem? All in favor say pro. ALL: Pro! ALLIE B: Con?...That's settled, then. SUELA: I would think Mr. Crane, the jeweler, could make us a little gold star. Should I speak to him about it? Would black letters be all right? They'd look so handsome against the gold! HATTIE: Could you do that, Sue? That would be sweet of you! MARY: It seems to me before we go too much further that we need to think about organizing properly. We've seen how smoothly business can be conducted in the Ruthean Society, and we all have experience to apply to P.E.O. We should begin with a constitution. FRANC: Allie, could you get started on that? ALLIE B: I'd be happy to try, but help me with the central ideas. What do we want to stress as our primary purpose? It sounds like we're thinking beyond the bonds of an ordinary college fraternity now. HATTIE: Furthering the special love and loyalty that has grown between us. Caring for each other as sisters would! ELLA: Self-improvement. We want to be the best we can be! 4

5 FRANC: Definitely! That means cultivating our talents in every area, not just social skills and morality, but maximizing our physical and mental abilities as well! SUELA: Don't forget temperance! Self-control in our speech and moderation in habits furthers our efforts to develop a balanced character. HATTIE: It sounds like we're trying to define the needs of all women! FRANC: In a sense, that's what we're taking on in our new society, isn't it? ALICE C: Well, that should give you material to work with, Allie. Now, we need to set another meeting soon. This is Thursday... could we meet Saturday so we don't interfere with classes? MARY: If we meet Saturday evening we could go to my house. I know my mother would be glad to see all of you. ELLA: But it has to be a secret. How can we keep the I.C.'s from discovering us? SUELA: I know! Let's all head in different directions and follow a circuitous route to Mary's house. If we arrive discretely and alone, we will not arouse suspicion! FRANC: Saturday evening, and then... at the Allen home. ALLIE B: I'll try to compile our thoughts into some sort of written document by then. SUELA: I'll see if Mr. Crane can work up a pin for us to see. FRANC: The rest of us need to think about how we want to announce P.E.O...and when. It would be psychologically advantageous to make it public! MARY: I'll be ready for you! Good-bye! (Exit) NARRATOR:The first business meeting was held January 23, 1869 at Mary Allen's home. It was an undoubtedly long meeting, conducted according to parliamentary procedure. Rather than attempting to reconstruct such a complicated meeting, I will summarize and highlight portions as appropriate. Again, part of this is assumed due to the lack of actual records. A temporary chairman and secretary were selected. The meeting was opened with prayer. Alice Bird read her one-page constitution, which would have closely approximated the following: P.E.O. CONSTITUTION: PREAMBLE: Whereas, recognizing it to be the chief duty of every individual to cultivate her powers -- physical, mental, moral, and social to their fullest extent, we organize ourselves into a Secret Society, and adopt for our government the following constitution and bylaws. ARTICLE 1st Section 1st: The society shall be known by the name of P.E.O. 5

6 Section 2nd: The badge of this society shall be a golden star with P.E.O. in black enameled letters in the center. ARTICLE 2nd Section 1st: The object of this society shall be general improvement, which shall comprehend more especially: 1st: Improvement in charity toward and interest in each other as P.E.O.'s. 2nd: Improvement in our charity toward and interest in all with whom we associate. 3rd: Improvement in our manners at home and in society. 4th: Improvement in our minds by the pursuing of such books and pamphlets in and out of society as shall be proper for P.E.O. 's. ARTICLE 3rd Section 1st: It shall be the principle object of each member to consider thoughtfully the full import of P.E.O. This will include: 1st: Sincere regard for our influence in the community. 2nd: Careful consideration of feeling when speaking. 3rd: Determination to do all we can at all times and under circumstances to express a loving concern for each sister; to care for each other in trouble, to sympathize in affliction, and to console in grief. NARRATOR: It was unanimously adopted. Officers and their duties were discussed, and were elected to serve 6 months. The first President was Alice Bird; Vice President, Alice Coffin, Secretary, Ella Stewart, and Treasurer, Hattie Briggs. Next they would have organized an order of business, suggested types of programs that would be appropriate for the goal of self-improvement, and would have discussed the emblem and viewed a sample pin. For the first time, they talked of the possibility of initiating other potential members, even suggesting promising girls younger than 15 who might be initiated before the I.C.'s could approach them. Finally, they began to consider how to make themselves known to the rest of the student body. Other informal, but still secret meetings were held to continue this last item of business, and it is here that we rejoin the embryonic P.E.O. FRANC: Is everyone here? (Enter girls). ELLA: Now girls, we must decide on a dignified way to announce P.E.O. ALLIE B: It should be something dramatic. ALICE C: Let's think of some way to call attention to the new star pins. 6

7 MARY: We could make fancy aprons and fasten the pins to them. FRANC: Then we could march into chapel some morning! SUELA: But that would just be copying the I.C.'s. HATTIE: Yes, but the I.C.'s didn't wear anything special, like the aprons would be. ELLA: Are we agreed? Then we need to design the aprons. They must be different and special. FRANC: We could meet at my father's home some afternoon. I'm sure my mother would help me with the design. ALICE C: What date should be selected to execute this plan? ALLIE B: The pins need to be finished before we set a date. Have you talked to Mr. Crane about it, Suela? SUELA: He promised them by the end of January. That's only about a week away. I'll check back with him to be sure FRANC: Let's meet again in the next day or so to see what we need for the aprons. (Exit, then re-enter hurriedly.) FRANC: Oh, I'm so glad we could all get together. This is an emergency! I happened to overhear a conversation between some I.C.'s. They are making identical blue calico dresses, and are planning their own march into the chapel tomorrow morning! ELLA: Oh, they can't! That would spoil the effect of our entrance later! It would seem like copying! ALICE C: We can't prevent them from making their debut. ALLIE B: No, but could we beat them to it? HATTIE: But the aprons... we haven't even started them! And, are the pins ready? SUELA: I believe they are ready, and I could pick them up today. MARY: Knowing you, Franc, I suspect you might have already been devising a plan to dispatch the apron problem. FRANC: I really think we could do it, but it will mean staying up most of the night to make the aprons. Are you willing to try? ALL: Yes! Absolutely! FRANC: Let me show you the apron pattern my mother drew. See? They would be about 20" long from the waist, with 3 gores for the skirt part. The bib is unique. The left side is cut higher than the right. We 7

8 can use the pin to hold the left side in place. Everyone will notice it! Then we can add a ruffle all around. MARY: I'm sure they will be very striking. Has material been picked out? FRANC: We found some white percale that has small black stars patterned over it. ELLA: Just perfect for our P.E.O. stars! Are we meeting in your home after classes, then, Franc? FRANC: Yes, my mother has approved it--and promised to help us! ALLIE B: The only difficulty left will tomorrow. We have to make sure we change in a room closer to the chapel than the I.C. s, s we can accomplish our coup d'etat! MARY: We could use the cloakroom--it's right next to the chapel. SUELA: I'll volunteer to guard the door and keep curious intruders away--and signal when the I.C.'s emerge. ALICE C: Our plan is complete -- but we'll have to be diligent to finish the aprons. We'll get to work immediately after classes this afternoon! (Exit) NARRATOR: The very words of Franc and Ella describe what followed: FRANC: "There is nothing more fascinating to young people than that which partakes of the dramatic. It was a never-to-be-forgotten morning when, after the mass of the student body had been assembled for religious exercises, the seven of us marched Indian file into chapel, each wearing her new apron, the bib of which was pinned on the left shoulder with the beautiful new star that twinkled for the first time in public. Of course, we created wonder. That was part of the program, and as we marched to our seats the students gave us the "glad hand". Everyone was curious." ELLA: "Many were the conjectures as to the real meaning of P.E.O. Some jokingly guessed "Pigs Eat Onions", others of a more classical turn of mind said "Pleiades ET Orion", thinking it had reference to the constellation, as we chose a star as our ensign." FRANC: "People still speculate and guess, but almost half a century has gone and the secret is and will remain the enigmatic, sphinx-like riddle. A record to the ability of women to keep a secret." Retyped, updated and put on disk by Beth Ann Satterfield NM State Board 2/25/2003 8