The creed was rolled and tied with a yellow ribbon, and used as favors on the luncheon tables. It is referred to in the text of the program.

Transcription

1 A-39 This program was presented in January, 1993 at a joint meeting of Chapters U and BK of Denton, Texas. Obviously, there are sections of the program appropriate only to this meeting, which will necessitate changes if the program is used again. The tree decorations were very simple and easily assembled in one evening. The most difficult preparation was finding a bare tree branch, sturdy enough to hold the decorations and small enough to haul to the meeting. I chose the top of a bamboo stalk which was rather delicate looking, but strong enough for my purpose. It was about 5 or 6 feet tall, and fairly symmetrical. A list of props is included with this program. Also included is a copy of The P.E.O. Creed and my reconstruction of the original P.E.O. Constitution. The creed was rolled and tied with a yellow ribbon, and used as favors on the luncheon tables. It is referred to in the text of the program. The Constitution was rolled and tied with a blue ribbon as one of the tree ornaments. It is also mentioned in the program. This had been handed out at a previous meeting of Chapter BK when I did a program on the Constitution. Since it seemed appropriate for a Founders' Day program as well, I offered them again. They were rolled and tied with blue ribbon and passed in a basket. I am honored that my sisters in Chapter BK, Denton, Texas, felt this program worthy of saving for future use by other chapters. I hope my notes will be helpful. They are sent with sisterly love. Barbara Prokop BK 1 Revised 1/2006

2 PROPS NEEDED FOR THIS PROGRAM Tree branch secured well in an attractive container. (I placed it in a 3# coffee tin and poured cement into it to hold the branch upright. This was placed into a wicker basket. Spanish moss from a florist concealed the can.) Capital letters are used in the text to indicate that an item should be added to the tree. Each item to be hung on the tree is denoted by BOLD LETTERS. These items are needed for tree decorations: (I hot-glued loops of ribbon to make them easy to hang on the tree.) 1. HEART ( I found a wooden one, painted red.) 2. STATE OF IOWA (The shape of Iowa, cut out of white cardboard. I marked Mount Pleasant on it.) 3. BUTTERSCOTCH CANDY (the hard variety, individually wrapped) 4. PICTURE OF HATTIE BRIGGS (I cut out small pictures of the Founders, from a past issue of "THE P.E.O. RECORD" and mounted them in small frames.) 5. LIGHT BULB (a real one) 6. WOODEN SPOON (a real one) 7. PICTURE OF FRANC ROADS 8. PAIR OF GLASSES (real sun glasses - I chose gaudy ones) 9. PICTURE OF MARY ALLEN 10. SMART LITTLE HAT (I had a tiny crocheted one) 11. PICTURE OF ALICE COFFIN 12. APPLE (I found a wooden one, painted red) 13. PICTURE OF ELLA STEWART 14. LITTLE MIRROR (a real one) 15. PICTURE OF ALICE BIRD 16. LITTLE BOOK OF SHAKESPEARE'S POEMS (I found one in a book store, approximately 2 1/2" x 3") 17. PICTURE OF SUELA PEARSON 18. BUTTERFLY (I glued a cardboard one to a clip clothespin.) 19. MUSICAL NOTE (black cardboard) 20. STAR (gold foil, about 5" tall, marked with P.E.O. in black letters) 21. CONSTITUTION (a copy is included with this program. It should be rolled and tied with a blue ribbon.) 22. EFFIE HOFFMAN ROGERS (a gold star with her name on it) 23. -? Gold stars with names for STELLA CLAPP, CAROLINE KETTLE, MARY BERRY, NELLIE AMBLER CAMPBELL, MARY FLORENCE COWELL (for Texas chapters), and any others appropriate to your chapter. The OVERLAPPING STARS worked well for a joint meeting with another chapter. Final - GOLDEN CHAIN (I used a strand of gold beads (Christmas ornament type,) and glued the ends together.) 2 Revised 1/2006

3 OUR INTREPID SEVEN As I was dismantling our Christmas tree this year, I thought about all the sentimental decorations on it. eliciting memories of people and times past. Christmas decorations can reflect a great deal of family history. Later, as I pondered over a way to present our Founders and P.E.O. history to you, I thought... why not a P.E.O. Memory Tree?! So...this may look like an ugly, dead branch to you, but humor me a little! This oversized twig could even be considered symbolic of how P.E.O. has grown in 137 years. We'll tie some memories to it as we go along. The bird you see sitting here is also symbolic. My husband placed it there as a joke after anchoring the branch in cement. I decided to leave it there in honor of our B.I.L.'s who are always so helpful and supportive. Our Intrepid Seven! We all know their names: Mary Allen Alice Bird Hattie Briggs Alice Coffin Suela Pearson Franc Roads Ella Stewart They gave us P.E.O. as a symbol of their love and friendship for each other. LET S HANG A HEART TO REPRESENT THIS LOVE, WHICH WAS THE FOUNDATION FOR P.E.O. AND IS STILL THE COHESIVE FORCE BEHIND OUR SISTERHOOD. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE GREATEST OF VIRTUES, IS LOVE. But who were our intrepid seven? What were their commonalities? What were their backgrounds? How did they differ? Why do I refer to them as intrepid? They were all students at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. LET'S ADD THE STATE OF IOWA. NOTICE THAT IT IS WHITE. IT USUALLY IS IN JANUARY... A REMINDER OF WHY WE MOVED FROM THERE, TO TEXAS! Don't use the word dress for your outside garment. Fortunately the good old word gown is again coming into vogue; indeed, its use is now considered the sign of high breeding. Don't wear diamonds in the morning. Don't supplement the charms of nature by the use of the color-box. Fresh air, exercise, the morning bath, and proper food, will give to the cheeks nature's own tints, and no other have any true beauty. Don't indulge in confections or other sweets. It must be said that American women devour an immense deal of rubbish. Here's a good one: Don't fail to heed all the "don'ts" in this little book. 3 Revised 1/2006

4 Don't - Don't - Don't! But still, our Founders had the courage to have a "DO" philosophy. All of these young women and their families recognized the importance of education for women. Christianity, education, the Feminist Movement and the fraternity system were all influencing the students at Iowa Wesleyan College. Fraternities were becoming an established social development in the United States. In June of 1868, a chapter of Beta Theta Pi was chartered at Iowa Wesleyan. The first secret society for women was founded at Wesleyan Female college in Macon, Georgia in 1851, known as the Adelphian Society. In Illinois, at Monmouth College, the "A" Society was formed in This prompted the formation of another sorority, I.C. Sorosis. In the fall of 1868, two Illinois women enrolled in Iowa Wesleyan and set about organizing I.C.Sorosis on that campus. Our seven Founders were close friends and considered to be campus leaders. Some were invited to join the sorority, but declined because all of the seven had not been included. Well...our intrepid seven didn't sit around with hurt feelings...they knew how to fight back! It was a mild January day, and Hattie Briggs and Franc Roads sat together on a stile near the southeast corner of the campus, discussing the fraternity system in general, and more specifically their own responsibility for the organizational life on the campus. They had always been actively involved in the social activities of the college. Hattie Briggs said, "Let's form a society of our own." Franc Roads readily agreed. LET'S PLACE A PICTURE OF HATTIE BRIGGS ON OUR MEMORY TREE, AND THIS LIGHT BULB TO REPRESENT...WHAT ELSE?..A BRIGHT IDEA!!!! Hattie Briggs was talented in music and art, and later taught those subjects. It was said that Hattie had the rare quality of making everyone around her feel comfortable. She was bright and cheerful and known for her radiant smile. Each of our Founders is credited with bringing certain gifts to P.E.O. Hattie's gift was her homemaking abilities. I'M PLACING A WOODEN SPOON ON OUR TREE IN MEMORY OF HATTIE BRIGGS. 4 Revised 1/2006

5 Franc Roads, christened as Frances Elizabeth Roads, insisted upon the name Franc. She was the youngest of the Founders, not quite seventeen in January of She was full of life and merriment, and known for her ability to go straight to the heart of a matter, analyze situations and offer solutions. Her gift to P.E.O. was vision and progressiveness. THIS IS A PICTURE OF VIVACIOUS FRANC ROADS. TO REPRESENT HER VISION, I CHOSE A PAIR OF GLASSES...NOT ORDINARY GLASSES THOUGH. IF SHE HAD ENVISIONED THE SCOPE OF P.E.O. TODAY, SHE'D HAVE NEEDED SHADES TO HANDLE THE GLOW!!!!! Now...back to the story: Hattie and Franc were so excited about their idea, that they hurried to tell their great friend Mary Allen. These three women were such close friends during their college years, that they became known on campus as the "triamese twins". Mary shared their enthusiasm for a new society. LET'S ADD MARY ALLEN TO OUR MEMORY TREE. She brought to P.E.O., her poise and sense of humor. She was a good hostess, and offered her parents' home for many of the early meetings. She had good taste in dress and it was said that she made smart clothes look smarter. LET'S ADD A SMART LITTLE HAT IN MEMORY OF MARY ALLEN! The young women then set out to find the other four. Whispered conferences must have taken place with the addition of each girl to the group. Alice Coffin was tall, blonde, handsome and carried herself with an air of distinction. She was delightful company, but sometimes meditative. She was quick to anger and quick to forgive. It was said that she had a complex, but thoroughly attractive personality. WE'LL ADD ALICE COFFIN TO OUR TREE. Alice's gift to P.E.O. was her interest in education. She later became a devoted teacher. A student once wrote of her: "She was the kind of teacher that the girls copy and the boys silently worship." THIS APPLE IS FOR ALICE COFFIN, THE TEACHER, AND THE FOUNDER WHO ENCOURAGED P.E.O.'S INTEREST IN EDUCATION. Ella Stewart, of Irish descent, had a keen wit and quick repartee. She was disciplined, bright and cheerful. AS WE ADD ELLA STEWART TO OUR TREE, WE SHOULD NOTE THAT SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL, THOUGH IT WAS SELDOM MENTIONED BY THOSE WHO KNEW HER. HER INNER BEAUTY AND HUMANITY WERE SO MUCH MORE APPRECIATED. THIS LITTLE MIRROR IS MEANT TO REFLECT HER LOVELINESS AND HER DESIRE FOR SOCIAL SERVICE, WHICH SHE BROUGHT TO P.E.O. 5 Revised 1/2006

6 Alice Bird was an intellectual and a brilliant student. She had a tremendous knowledge of literature and felt a kinship with literary characters. She dramatized and quoted freely, delighting her listeners. Alice had dark hair and piercing black eyes and took long bold strides as she passed through the campus. ALICE BIRD WAS A DRAMATIC ADDITION TO P.E.O. AND TO OUR MEMORY TREE. THIS LITTLE BOOK OF SHAKESPEARE'S POEMS WILL REMIND US OF THE LITERARY BENT BROUGHT TO P.E.O. BY ALICE BIRD. The seventh Founder was Suela Pearson, said to have so many feminine graces, charms, talents and virtues, that perhaps a Fairy Godmother waved a wand over her. She was adored by family and friends, but not spoiled. The others were never jealous of her, and freely praised her as the most beautiful and popular of the seven. AS WE ADD SUELA PEARSON TO OUR TREE, WE SHOULD NOTE THAT SHE WAS A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY, BUT AN EDUCATED ONE! WE'LL JUST LET THIS LITTLE BUTTERFLY LAND ON OUR TREE TO REMIND US OF SUELA AND THE SOCIABILITY SHE BROUGHT TO P.E.O. Can't you just imagine the excitement these women felt as they embarked upon this daring and secret venture? And daring it was, for in those restrictive times, it surely must have been difficult to make secret plans while under the watchful eyes of rigid professors. They all had a common interest in music, and chose the music room for their first meeting. WE'LL ADD THIS MUSICAL NOTE TO SYMBOLIZE THIS HISTORICAL SPOT, AS WELL AS OUR FOUNDERS' MUSICAL ABILITIES. During that first meeting, they recognized that they needed a bit of pageantry and an oath of allegiance. Alice Bird was the logical choice to compose something suitable. I can picture Alice, as she sat in their summer house, wrapped in a shawl to protect herself from the January chill, and writing a 35 word oath, which was a pledge of secrecy. They met again that Thursday afternoon. As the seven stood around an old fashioned table, with the Bible on it, Alice Bird was the first to take the vow, which was read to her by Ella Stewart. Alice then read the vow to each of the other six. It was a dramatic moment: simple, restrained and precious. With that ceremony, P.E.O. was born. I WILL ADD A STAR WHICH WAS CHOSEN THAT DAY AS THE EMBLEM OF THE SOCIETY, SUGGESTED AND DESIGNED BY ALICE COFFIN. 6 Revised 1/2006

7 Other business that day included naming the society P.E.O., and designating Alice Bird to write a Constitution. They also set the next meeting for the following Saturday, to be at the home of Mary Allen. Alice Bird, always sensitive to her surroundings, chose the "Holy of all Holies", the spare bedroom in her father's house. There she took on the monumental task of writing a Constitution, to be presented in two days time. Alice Bird felt that the needs of all women should be embodied in that document. It still serves as a nucleus for our needs today. She carefully penned her well thought out words on her best stationery and tied it with a blue ribbon. She described her proposed Constitution as a primitive one, one page long. It was accepted by the membership. Other items, which required chapter action, were added later. WE'LL ADD ALICE BIRD'S CONSTITUTION TO OUR MEMORY TREE. The original Constitution is no longer in existence, but study has revealed the probable contents, which I have reconstructed. I did bring along some copies for those of you who are interested. I'll pass these along to you at the conclusion of the program. You'll notice that there are a couple of unfinished sentences. This is because a part of our Objects and Aims were secret at that time. The wording has been changed in recent years and we can now publish the Objects and Aims in their entirety. At that Saturday business meeting, many items were discussed, and many meetings followed to perfect the organization. Officers were elected for six months, with Alice Bird elected as president. A pin was being fashioned by a local jeweler, and they made plans for a dramatic announcement. It was decided that they should march into chapel wearing matching aprons, adorned with their P.E.O. pins. Franc Roads mother designed the apron and helped the girls cut and stitch their own. When they found out the I.C. Sorosis girls were planning to march into chapel wearing matching dresses, the HEAT WAS ON! They hurriedly completed their plans to make their announcement on the same day! They managed to march, single file, into chapel - AHEAD OF THE BLUE GOWNED I.C.'S. It was a special moment in our history and then, as still today, people are speculating about the well kept secret of the meaning of P.E.O. Through the years, the organization has grown in size and scope. Our memory tree wouldn't be truly complete without remembering some of the other "shining stars" who figured prominently in the growth of P.E.O. LET'S HANG A STAR FOR EFFIE HOFFMAN ROGERS, WHO WROTE THE P.E.O. CREED THAT EACH OF YOU FOUND AT YOUR TABLE. 7 Revised 1/2006

8 AND ANOTHER STAR FOR STELLA CLAPP, OF CHAPTER BD, KANSAS, WHO WROTE "OUT OF THE HEART: A CENTURY OF P.E.O." THIS BOOK MAKES AVAILABLE TO ALL OF US THE BEAUTIFUL STORY OF P.E.O. THIS STAR IS IN MEMORY OF CAROLINE KETTLE, CHAPTER G, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, WHO WROTE THE WORDS TO OUR OPENING ODE IN WE'LL ADD ANOTHER STAR FOR MARY BERRY, CHAPTER I, CENTERVILLE, IA. WHO, IN 1883, BECAME THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF GRAND CHAPTER (NOW CALLED INTERNATIONAL CHAPTER.) THIS STAR IS FOR NELLIE AMBLER CAMPBELL, WHO WAS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INITIATORY CEREMONY APPROVED IN OUR MEMORY TREE WOULDN'T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT RECOGNIZING MARY FLORENCE COWELL, WHO MOVED FROM MISSOURI TO WHITESBORO, TEXAS. SHE ORGANIZED THE FIRST P.E.O. CHAPTER IN TEXAS IN 1902, AND HELPED ORGANIZE TEXAS STATE CHAPTER IN SHE WAS ELECTED ITS FIRST PRESIDENT. I'M ADDING OVERLAPPING STARS IN RECOGNITION OF OUR CHAPTER MEMBERS. 8 Revised 1/2006

9 Constitution 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. Sec. 1 st Sec. 2 nd Article 1st The Society shall be known by the name of P.E.O. The badge of this society shall be a golden star with P.E.O. in black enameled letters in the center. Article 2nd Sec. 1 st The object of this Society shall be general improvement, which shall comprehend more especially: 1 st Improvement in charity toward and interest in each other as P.E.O. 's. 2 nd Improvement in our charity toward and interest in all with whom we associate. 3 rd Improvement in our manners at home and in society. 4 th 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 Sec. 1 st It shall be the principle object, for each member, to consider thoughtfully the full import of P.E.O. This will include: 1 st A watchful 2 nd Careful consideration of feelings when speaking. 3 rd A determination to do all we can, at all times, and under all circumstances to To care for each other in trouble, to sympathize in affliction, and to console in grief. Submitted by Alice Bird January 23, Revised 1/2006

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