FOUNDER'S DAY PROGRAM

Transcription

1 #4 FOUNDER'S DAY PROGRAM MADGE NEWCOMB, C 1956 It is fascinating to read the books concerning our Sisterhood and follow the development of P.E.O. From a small meeting of loving, devout and devoted friends into the magnificent organization of which today we are proud to be members. Here was a meeting, suddenly planned, of cultured minds and affectionate hearts of young women whose education, refinement and religious training were highly developed. Here are girls with sunny dispositions and lovely faces whose hours of leisure sparkled with jollity and mischief and with appreciation of the arts and nature. Here are girls with a sense of competition, not alone in the classroom, but in a social way as well. If their rivals, the I.C.'s could flaunt the golden arrow as the symbol of their secret society - - how much more elevated and dignified that these embryo P.E.O.s should choose a star. Beginnings - - The time - - January 21st, a day of great promise a golden day! The place The campus of Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the first college to be founded west of the Mississippi River. Here also were situated a pioneer normal school of the West - - Howe's Academy - - and a Young Ladies' Seminary. This school for girls had very high standards indeed, and in it was formed one of the early Chapters of P.E.O. On this lovely, sunny, wintry day, two girls sat chatting on a wooden stile at the campus edge. Certainly they must have been discussing the new campus society of I.C.'s and their golden arrow, for suddenly Hattie Briggs said, "Let's have a society of our own." "All right," agreed Franc Rhodes. "Let's tell Mary." So they hurried on and found Mary Allen, Allie Coffin, Suela Pearson, Ella Stewart and Allie Bird. After a little talk, Alice Coffin suggested that they meet that afternoon in the music room and plan their society in detail - - and in secrecy. She said to Allie Bird, "you write a constitution, Allie, and bring it back with you." They chose to be very secret about their plans and met in the music room behind locked doors. Can you not imagine the whispering, the giggling that lightened their earnestness as they endeavored to - -and did - - create something of worth and importance. It is significant that they at once chose the name and the emblem, which are ours today, P.E.O. and the star. Likewise all seven in solemn pleasure pledged themselves to P.E.O Just as we do today. 1

2 It is not strange that the point of mystery is dwelt upon in our ritual, for certainly much mystery surrounded the early meetings of these girls. When the first meeting was held - - it was at the home of Mary Allen - - much subterfuge was indulged in. These girls left for their meeting at different times and in different directions, arriving at the Allen home by devious routes. To quote a few lines from Winona Reeves as she wrote the P.E.O. history: "When P.E.O. was organized in 1869 there were almost no societies for women. These girls in the Iowa Wesleyan College felt that first impulse which years later developed into the club movement among women. The P.E.O. Society was one of the pioneer societies for women." The seven girls themselves breathed into the Sisterhood the breath of life, and to them we owe something which has given the Sisterhood its standing, its place in the social fabric. They were leaders in the college and represented the best type in the school and in that little town of cultured people. Naturally, they drew to themselves their kind, and when the society was formed in other towns, it was always among the best people in the community. All great events of history come naturally and simply to those who have a part in them, and only the perspective of years gives them historic setting. But there is always a reason for an event being a great event, and there are always certain elements, which make a man or woman great. This Sisterhood is great and its formation marks a epoch in the life of American womanhood, because in the sincerity and simplicity of its teaching it finds response in every woman's heart - - it speaks a universal language. Those seven girls formed a Sisterhood in response to which their own needs, not realizing that their needs and longings were such as are common to all womankind, and they in wildest fancy could not have dreamed that their society would bless the lives of thousands of women for over a century. To those who form the Sisterhood today it has come as a heritage from its founders, given to us to hold in trust for those who shall come after us. That which is more beautiful, a continued blessing to our daughters, must only succeed a relation so beautiful and so helpful as in found in P.E.O. from generation to generation. Growth - - At this first meeting in 1869 the original seven voted three new girls into their organization. At that time it was known as the P.E.O. Society. Several years later, when the number had grown, it was necessary to find some way to distinguish one group from another, and the use of alphabetical letters was added to the name of the chapter. The first group meeting of the Chapters was held in Bloomfield, Iowa in November 1882, and each chapter was asked to send two delegates. This was a meeting for discussion only and there they planned for their first convention to be held in October 1883 to perfect the organization and elect officers. This was called the Grand Chapter. The need for state chapters seemed to be growing and the thought was that when there had come to be five chapters in a state, a state chapter should be formed. Fewer would stay under the Jurisdiction of Grand Chapter. Finally, in 1889 at the Convention in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Mrs. 2

3 Briggs of Superior, Nebraska made a formal request for a State Chapter to be formed in Nebraska. Thus in April 1890, the first State Chapter was formed. This was called the Nebraska Grand Chapter. At the Des Moines Convention in October 1892, the Supreme Grand Chapter came into being. The 1909 Convention the word "Grand" was deleted, and the name became "Supreme Chapter." And in 1919 the word "Grand" was taken from the state organizations, and they became known as state chapters. For us of the west, some further facts seem pertinent. Chapter A of New Mexico was formed in Carlsbad on January 21, 1909 with five dimitted members and two initiates. New Mexico did not achieve statehood until Our first state convention was held in Carlsbad in April 1929, and the first state president was Mrs. Lu O'Connor. Gallup has had four state presidents, two from Chapter T and two from Chapter C with Carolyn Northup now serving on the State Board from Chapter C. P.E.O. has always striven for the best in education, in culture and in service to mankind. We have had many worthy projects maintaining libraries in hospitals, wide varieties of service during the wars. Achievements THE P.E.O. RECORD "He who writes is immortal. The printed pages remain long after the hand which wrote its words has crumbled into dust." As the first new chapters were formed, their methods of communication were most informal. They wrote letters back and forth just as sisters do write to each other, telling of their Joys and sorrows and extra special events. After the establishment of the Grand Chapter, the official letter writing was taken care of by its officer - - the corresponding or recording secretary. As the volume of correspondence increased, it was felt that the need for a "Society" paper was really urgent. So, at the sixth annual convention of the Grand Chapter, held in Iowa in October 1888, it was decided that a printed medium of communication was necessary, and thus out of a real need there came into being our first achievement, The P.E.O. Record. The first issue was January This first year there were 451 subscribers. Now we number 301,311 members in At the 1917 Convention in Brookfield, Missouri, a motion was finally adopted to use a Memorial Fund that the P.E.O.'s had for loaning for educational purposes. This is one of the rules adopted. "This fund is, and shall be created, preserved and used for loans in assisting worthy young women, coming to us properly recommended, who desire to complete their higher education with a view to becoming self supporting." There is a saying: "Educate a woman and you educate a family; educate a family and you educate the race." 3

4 Cottey College was founded in 1884 and given to our Sisterhood at the P.E.O. Supreme Convention in Oklahoma in The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund continues to be a wonderful vehicle to promote peace and understanding in a troubled world, to strengthen ties with women from other nations, and to learn more of their countries and cultures. The Program for Continuing Education reported for year that grants were awarded to women totaling $. The Educational Loan Fund has loaned over $ to over worthy women. The P.E.O. Foundation was established in October 1961 at the Convention of Supreme Chapter. The primary purpose is to provide a convenient way in which individuals (or corporations) may make tax-deductible donations for the educational and charitable projects of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. At the 1991 Convention of International Chapter a new project was approved, the P.E.O. Scholar Awards. This program is to give grants to women of the United States and Canada who are either pursuing a graduate degree or are engaged in advanced study and research. Each candidate for an award should be nominated by a local chapter in order to assure P.E.O. encouragement and support for each of the candidates. Such wonderful achievements today are all because seven girls had lofty ideals. For many years the question had come up in convention of building a memorial to the seven founders and erecting it on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa where P.E.O. was born. In the 1925 Supreme Convention held in Minneapolis, Minnesota it was voted that such a project be undertaken. The proposed cost of the building was one hundred thousand dollars, and plans for raising this amount at once got underway. The P.E.O. Memorial Library was completed, dedicated and presented, free of debt, to Iowa Wesleyan College on Tuesday, September 27, Mrs. Allen Stafford had broken the ground for the Memorial Library on January 11, The site chosen being scarcely a stone's throw from where the wooden stile had stood. She said, "In grateful recognition of the honor paid to the seven founders of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, I, as one of the founders, turn this first sod and break this first ground, with an earnest prayer that the Sisterhood may abide and that the building here to be erected may be a blessing to all who shall through the years cross the threshold." 4

5 The next significant date for the Memorial Library was April 25, 1927, when the cornerstone was laid. Many participated in this event and papers of value and interest to our Sisterhood were placed within the box, which was sealed into the cornerstone. Each paper of much interest to us also, but I will quote only from one - - that of Harriet Magill Amaden, a member of the building committee. She said: "Within this box my hands have placed as a perpetual memorial a record of the services of the building committee. Even as brick and stone express beauty, only as art and skill set them in classic line and fine proportion, so back of the words which tell of our work is a loving devotion to the task, beautifying a practical service. May this building justify the strength of its foundation and its timbers, by the strength of its service to all who come within its walls." At the time the building was planned Harriet Amaden had the vision and foresight to plan space where later would be hung the portraits of the seven founders. They were unveiled with appropriate ceremonies in The first candle lighting ceremony came about in a most spontaneous manner. Chapter C of New York was meeting in the studio of Mary Louise Woelber at the Woelber School of Music. The date was January 21, A seven branched candlestick stood on the mantel and suddenly the hostess thought what a lovely tribute that would be if seven candles were lighted for the seven founders - - lighted not as a memorial, but as a loving, glowing tribute to seven lovely, glowing girls. At the dedication of the Memorial Library, Alice Bird Babb Ewing, daughter of Alice Babb, lit the fire on the hearth and the candles in two seven branched candlesticks on either side of the fireplace, saying as she did so: "Lovely lamps, a lighted fire and books. As I light these fires may the action be a symbol that this building is a no longer merely foursquare wall but a home. A home where in future years P.E.O. may gather whenever they wish; a home where youth may always come in search of truths and find it." And so today we carry on this lovely ceremony, and the thought that the Sisterhood also is a home where may be found peace and Joy, education, culture, love and where all God's blessings may be had for the striving. We now pay tribute to our seven founders: 1. MARY ALLEN (STAFFORD) (light candle) A handsome girl, popular and well loved. In every phase of religious work she was very active. She was a witty, fun-loving girl; blessed with a sunny disposition and a charming smile of so sincere a quality it was not easily forgotten. 2. ALICE BIRD (BABB) (light candle) 5

6 A vigorous, versatile mind, a kind heart, a rare Judgment of things material and things immaterial. A keen appreciation of the beautiful in life and nature - - a sympathetic insight into domestic and social problems - - a popular public speaker and a talented writer. 3. HATTIE BRIGGS (BOUSQUET) (light candle) Hers was a happy, sunny disposition, her face ever radiant with smiles. Her associates said of her: "It was hers to give our Sisterhood a Joy that has grown sweeter and stronger as the years have come and gone." In her biography her uncle wrote: "Her character was like a woodland stream of rare loveliness, gliding modestly and unobtrusively, yet lending a rare charm to the entire landscape." Her Christianity was outstanding as was her faith in people and the hereafter. 4. ALICE VIRGINIA COFFIN (light candle) Allie was a southern girl, tall and beautiful - always beautifully groomed and well poised. Her distinguished ancestry contributed much to her character, and of her it was said that she had the cardinal principles of virtue, honesty, candor, compassion and sincerity. Her religion was the continuous everyday kind. At her suggestion our star was chosen. 5. SUELLA PEARSON (PENFIELD) (light candle) A charming, laughing, brown-eyed girl of much beauty, and with many social graces. Her kindness and generosity endeared her to all. She was cultured, gracious and truly a Christian. Her love of life and people was outstanding. 6. FRANC RHODES (ELLIOTT) (light candle) A bright, vivacious, handsome girl; popular, happy and carefree and yet withal she was progressive and the world of art and letters appealed to her. In the church she worked timelessly, and her ideas and plans for betterment and advancement in schoolrooms and facilities were far ahead of her times. 7. ELLA STEWART (light candle) Here was a lovely girl of whose character it was written that she was industrious, vivacious and faithful to every undertaking she began. Not one of the seven was more competent or cheerful. She was a student of music, and, like her friends, lived a life of devotion to religion. Always working beyond her strength with a serene and sweet acceptance of life's mysteries - - and the mysteries of the Life Eternal. Retyped, updated and put on disk by Beth Ann Satterfield NM State Board 2/25/2003 6