F-4
A Collection of Founder’s Day Poems
A Flowery Verse of P.E.O.
By Manuella Nicholas, DB, Oregon, 1980 There was a time, „twas many years ago,
When no one had ever heard of that group called P.E.O. And then it happened in January of 1869,
When seven lovely maidens, all ahead of their time Gaily decided to organize as best they could
A little “society” called the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Now these girls were young and rather impetuous, Little did they know P.E.O. would be so infectious To all the maidens, both young and old,
Or they may not have been so very bold. But thanks to them we are all proud. So let‟s go back and study this crowd. They all were young, so fair, so bright.
Let us look at our Founder‟s in this colorful light.
First, there is Alice Bird, a “giddy girl” she would have said. Red is her color, and P.E.O. she has led.
As first president she was cheerful and bright. And my how that girl loved to read and to write. Alice wrote the first P.E.O. Constitution and Oath. And lived a life of vitality, action and growth. She was married to Washington Irving Babb. Oh, what an interesting marriage they had, With Alice directing place at Iowa Wesleyan, And training orators, speakers and many a thespian. On to Suela Pearson, the prettiest of all,
As an orange blossom special, she is a doll. Suela was the youngest of our seven flowers,
But her lovely singing voice above others did tower. With her lovely brown eyes, her music and grace, WE see strength, love and beauty in her youthful face. She was sparkling and gay and never forgot
All her six dear sisters, who she missed such a lot. For she soon left the Iowa P.E.O. dream,
Never to return or see the others again.
Here is Hattie Briggs, our yellow flower aglow. She was the first to dream of P.E.O.
Hattie was shy, but a very fair bloom
She brought love and beauty when she entered a room. We remember her for loyalty and also for honor.
She was sweet and understanding to everyone around her. Hattie was a musician, became a wife and mother,
Her sunny disposition and radiance outshining any other. She had but seven years as a P.E.O.
From the earthly circle, she was first to go.
Oh, look who we have here, Alice Virginia Coffin. And isn‟t that a green flower she‟s a-doffin‟ She loved to dance, to be happy and tease. She was as refreshing as a fresh spring breeze. Alice gets credit for choosing our star,
And picking it from all those in heaven afar. She was a teacher, counselor, and eminent scholar. But never could resist once in a while “holler.” Alice, oh Alice, you southern blonde bell,
It would have been such fun to have known you well. Mary Allen, with such faith. We remember you. This sister we thoughtfully dress in blue.
For blue is for piety, sincerity and heaven,
And for offering so much love to the rest of the seven. At Iowa Wesleyan, she served as president‟s wife, But his career as a minister was the center of her life. A modern “Victorian” and spiritually sound,
She gave us our virtues upon which our circle is found. Mary had strength of character, religious conviction. It was she who always said “P.E.O. is love in action.” Violet is for Ella Stewart and signifies love,
And dignity, patience and sacrifice from above.
She was raised as the daughter of a Methodist preacher, Educated at Iowa Wesleyan and a dedicated teacher. It was she that chose colors of yellow and white, And picked the marguerite, symbol of purity and light. Ella administered the pledge to Alice Bird that first day, To start P.E.O. so successfully on its way.
She never did marry, but lived with her mother, And dedicated her life to caring for others.
Franc Roads, we give you the purple cloak of the law, For striving for ideals of equal right you fore-saw. She had keen sense of justice and a love of good art. She was lovely, talented, courageous and smart.
Franc was a champion of causes, big and small. She never shirked responsibility, not ever at all. She was a leader of women, always dashing about, Using visions of justice to act as her clout.
We remember our Franc as dedicated and caring. She never gave up her enthusiasm and sharing. Now you‟ve heard the story of our Founder‟s seven, And their dream of P.E.O., surely blessed by heaven. Let‟s take a minute and go back in time,
And see what other tidbits we can include in this rhyme. Way back in the beginning did you know?
Only a single college girl could be a P.E.O. And if you married or moved away
You lost your membership that very day.
When a member of a chapter would inopportunely die, Her sisters would grieve until 21 days passed by. And all in the Chapter were expected to drape Their P.E.O. pins in a rosette of black crepe. The first P.E.O. RECORD, our favorite magazine, Was held together by thread from a sewing machine. The associate editor and author of word
With pen name of Avis was our own Alice Bird. At one time P.E.O.‟s had they very own yell.
And at informal gatherings could be heard quite well. WHO are – WHO are – WHO are we?
WE ARE – WE ARE – WE are the P-E-O-p-l-e
People.
So we reach January, 1980, one hundred eleven ye ars late. Our membership still growing is now at 207, 608.
P.E.O. owns a college we work hard to support.
We have love, companionship and fun when we cavort. Now as we all leave this meeting today
And go about on our own sisterly way.
Let‟s remember the history and the meaning that is there And perhaps take a moment to love and to care.
And as you go, please don‟t take offense
At this poor little rhyme, which doesn‟t make much sense. Be kind to our flowers, so bright and cheerful.
Performing unrehearsed didn‟t make them fearful. Just remember faith, love, purity, justice and truth. And the P.E.O. lessons taught by these virtues, forsooth.
Founder‟s Day Program
By Ruth H. Hamilton, Chapter DJ, Oregon, 1952 Written for Chapter D, Oregon, on Founder‟s Day, 1952 In an Iowa town in eighteen sixty- nine,
Stood Wesleyan College so good and so fine. Those who attended the schools in that day Were not very different from the youth of today.
Besides their classes and studies, they loved to have fun And entered with enthusiasm any work to be done.
There were seven young women who went to that College Who had become good friends while getting their knowledge. They had been together for three or four years,
When one day a rumor came to their ears
That a club had been formed which was called the “I.C.‟s” Now they weren‟t going to be outdone by these,
So two of the girls, named Hattie and Franc Decided it would be nice – yet sort of a prank – To start a society all their own.
To the other five girls they made their plans known. Now Mary and Ella and the other three
To this idea did quickly agree.
They wasted not a minute but started right in And the work of organizing did quickly begin. The constitution was written by Alice Bird Also the pledge, every precious word. When later they met, that very same night With high excitement and their hearts very light, They knew what they‟d started – though “half in jest” Would have to be worthy of their very best.
The oath was taken by each one there
And I‟m quite certain this was followed by prayer. Then Suela, the prettiest one of the troop
Suggested an emblem should be worn by the group. And Allie C – thinking of the Christmas season – Chose the Star (I think that‟s the reason)
In this Sisterhood they had just begun. It‟s five points represented qualities five: Such as Faith, Love and Purity to be kept alive With Justice and Truth in their hearts each day
And cement this friendship as they went on life‟s way.
From the fields a flower so simple and sweet Was chosen by the group – the white marguerite. That maybe why Ella Stewart, so bright,
Chose the P.E.O. colors – yellow and white. Then Hattie spoke up and said she had a name And to each bended head she whispered the same. January twenty- first is important, you know, For that is the birthday of P.E.O.
Now as we gather at this meeting here
We like to look back to those Founder‟s, dear Little did they dream on that day long ago
Of the growth in number which as come to P.E.O. But the Star which led them leads us on, too, To growth in character and greater service, „tis true. We have taken on projects, one after the other
And learned the real meaning of “Love one another.” Today we pay tribute to these Founder‟s seven Who have already gone to their Chapter in Heaven. We do not remember them with sorrow or sadness But rather with hearts full of “thank you” and gladness To build so well from year to year.
We shall light candles on this anniversary day, For “candles go with birthdays”, I hear you say. Instead of a candle representing each year,
These will symbolize the lives of our Founder‟s, dear. (Light a candle as each name is read)
The first one is for Hattie, so friendly and gay Who first thought of organizing on that faraway day She is the one who gave it a name.
We think of P.E.O. friendship as we look at this flame. The next is for Alice Coffin who gave us the Star.
The light from her life still shines from afar. She always was ready to help needy brothers. We, too, carry on by giving to others.
This is for Suela, the youngest of the girls.
She has always bee pictured with “dancing curls.” As we think of her, it is youth at its best.
Because of our Loan Fund, other girls have been blessed. This light represents sweet Alice Bird.
She was the first President, you‟ve often heard. She was brilliant with her with and also her pen. To study has been one of our aims since then. Ella Stewart‟s life was of service and love.
She must have been strengthened by our Father above To carry on the work she had to do
She inspires us to be of service, too.
Then – Franc Roads who always aided a “cause”, And helped in formulating our P.E.O. laws. She‟s the one who left to the school, her art. She believed in programs and we‟ll do our part. This last one is for Mary, so lovely and tall. She wore the pin publicly, the first one of all. She worked for her church, her college and home And often to conventions she loved to roam. We have looked backward for awhile today, But time has a way of slipping away.
Not much can be gained by a backward glances Only to evaluate or as it chances
To inspire or direct us in better ways Or enrich our Sisterhood in the future days. As we sit here in this candle glow
Let‟s silently renew our pledge to P.E.O. (closing with the song: “The Lord‟s Prayer.”)
(Set up: a candelabrum for seven candles – use either white or gold candles. Have a bowl of daisies below the candles.)
P.E.O. Founder‟s Day Program Written by Betty F. Smeed, AY, Oregon Once upon a time, a very long time ago
Seven women had an idea … and called it P.E.O. In Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1869
P.E.O. was begun and it became yours and mine. Marry Allen, Hattie Briggs and Alice Bird
Are three of the Founders of which you‟ve heard.
Alice Coffin, Suela Pearson, Ellla Stewart and Franc Roads Are the other four women who began the P.E.O. codes. In Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Chapter A was begun …
And now these seven young women really had fun!
There weren‟t that many ways to travel to a meeting in those days; By train or by horse and carriage or … walking were the only ways. And when the started other chapters in out-of-town places,
Those who traveled to meetings stayed many days, in some cases. When mud or a snowstorm sometime caused delay,
This was, of course, much to everyone‟s dismay. When these seven girls met and decided to unite, They wanted to do everything that was just right. They were religious and had talents galore;
And they were each unique with good traits in store! First, let‟s talk about Mary Allen, a little beauty. To be a very good hostess was her greatest duty. She earned her A.B. at Iowa Wesleyan in „69
And later married a Methodist minister who was divine! Then four children were born to this pair –
They cherished them and gave them great care.
Dr. Stafford, her husband, was president of Iowa Wesleyan for either years, you know; After that, they lived in ten different places and were constantly on the go.
Until 1905, she kept her membership in Chapter A; And then transferred to B, X, AH and FC, without delay. She helped each chapter with activities and laws in P.E.O.; And all those chapter members loved her where ever she did go! She died in 1927 at age seventy-nine;
She left everyone memories of her that were truly fine. Alice Bird was our literary founder who had a talent to write,
And she also was good in public speaking and she would often recite. Her father was a doctor and prominent, of course;
Allie, as she was called, became an actress and was a singer too. She entered college at fifteen – very studious; oh much could she do! Allie‟s father taught Pharmacy at Iowa Wesleyan, it would seem
And the, Washington Babb, who she was to marry, became part of her dream. Washington Babb was a lawyer and taught law at the same school too.
Even Allie taught Latin, Greek and Elocution there. „Tis true! Later, the Babb‟s had four beautiful children and they all did well, But Clarabelle died of diphtheria at seven, I hate to tell.
Until the end of her life, Alice Bird Babb was active in P.E.O.
Her excellent writing and good judgment kept her always in the know. She helped direct Grand Chapter during its formative years.
She died at age seventy-six and her absence brought tears.
Then there was Hattie Briggs who was known for her radiant smile, She always made everyone feel right at home all the while.
She had light brown hair and was above average size,
But she was bright and cheerful and had expressive blue eyes. Her father was a minister and they lived near the college.
She taught both music and art, of which she had great knowledge.
At her father‟s church, after the sermon one Sunday, to everyone‟s surprise, Hattie and Henri Bousuet were married by her father, amid happy cries! Her husband was a businessman who lived in Pella, Iowa, you know
So off she moved to be with him, and to be a housewife, to cook and to sew. Henri was born in Holland and came to this country at age nine;
He was a printer, county clerk and a banker, and did just fine. He entered the merchandising business in Pella, I hear;
And later became Clerk of the Iowa Supreme Court, it‟s clear. Two sons were born to this engaging pair;
One died at age six, which seems unfair.
Hattie Bousquet was well cast in her role of a mother and wife;
But she died five years after marriage, at age twenty-eight, a very short life. Alice Coffin, who came to Mt. Pleasant at age seventeen,
Was tall, blonde and handsome, a beautiful sight to be seen. She was a cheerful person and kind and generous as could be; She was quick to anger and quick to forgive, we can plainly see.
She was almost aloof and was quite conscious of her ancestry and history; Her ancestors formed the Society of Friends in the Quaker realm of mystery. Alice Coffin was born in Kentucky in 1949;
Then they moved to Newton, Iowa and the moved from time to time. When Alice was only nine, her mother died and she was very sad.
They moved to Mt. Pleasant where she went to school – that made her very glad. When she was in college, she fell in love with a boy named Will.
They became engaged and were to marry -- a dream to fulfill.
Then the two of them had a big disagreement and they broke up forever. She had other offers to wed, but to marry another … she could never!
She was a good dancer, but was a Methodist true; In those days, for her to dance would never, never do! So she became an Episcopalian in order to dance, But she never again found romance.
She received her Master‟s from Iowa Wesleyan and became a teacher great; She was always thinking of her students welfare and with them did really rate. Her high ethical standards, her beauty and her sewing skill,
Made the girls want to copy her and the boys worship her at will. She died in 1888 at the age of forty; oh,,yes, very young indeed.
She had five nieces and a nephew who cherished her memory and wished her God speed. And then there was Franc Roads who was a girl of far vision;
She was far before her time in every decision. She was beautiful with sparkly eyes and dark hair; She tried lots of things that no one else would dare. Her personality sparkled and she was excellent at art; She was successful in teaching, right from the start. France was the youngest of the founders, only seventeen, And one of the most courageous anyone had ever seen!
Changing social conditions and advancement of women were her challenges – life long; She was sought by many, had a crusading spirit, and was very seldom wrong.
She was a reader of classics; entered college at fourteen; Graduated in three years – intelligent – see what we mean?
She was christened Frances Elizabeth, but she insisted that Franc be her name. She was filled with life‟s wonders; and many world conditions, she overcame. She married Simon Elliott, who had a china store.
She mastered china painting and was a lady to the core. The Elliott‟s had two children, a girl and a boy.
Speaking at P.E.O. conventions became her great joy. She remained a member of Chapter A all her life. She also was a good mother and indeed a good wife. She worked hard during the financial panic of 1893,
Keeping her son in medical school was her important goal, you see. She died at seventy-two in 1924.
I do not think that any founder accomplished more.
Marie Suela Pearson was the most beautify and popular of the seven, they say. She had many social advantages; she was a real story-book child in every way. She was meant to be adored by everyone;
But she was not a bit spoiled; she had lots of fun.
Her father was a doctor and founded Hanneman Medical Society;
He was president and the family background was as staunch as it could be. Her mother was related to President McKinley, you know.
She was a beautiful lady and cultured, I‟m telling you so. Suela had many more boy friends than any other, they say; But she was not silly; she was a real lady in e very way.
Suela wrote songs that were sentimental in text;
She had talent and could sing; what would she do next?
She was a rival of Alice Bird as a reader – and a real butterfly – But she was well educated and skillful, we will not deny. She married Frank Penfield who was with Standard Oil then. A short time later, she was honored by the Cadet Corps men. She was asked to make a banner for Iowa Wesleyan, I hear. It was to be given to the best drilled cadet corps of the year. She responded with a gold badge a few inches long, you know. It was set with precious stones and bore the initials P.E.O. In the middle of the gold star and a diamond in the center part –
Crossarms on the shield with I.W.U. and C.C.; she had won their heart. It is now in Mt. Pleasant in the Memorial Rooms of P.E.O.
She made it because she loved her sisters and her college, you know.
In the Penfield‟s married years, they lived in Cleveland near the Rockefeller home, „tis said;
They were high in society, and she was a good hostess, and of course, well bred The Penfield‟s had two children, a girl and a boy;
Daughter Marie was a P.E.O., which brought Suela joy. Son Frank died after surgery while a student at Yale. Of course, this was a sad part of Suela Penfield‟s tale. For a long time, the family was a happy lot;
Then trouble came into their lives, like it or not. Suela lost her son, her father and her brother, Will. Her mother became an invalid; Suela had her fill.
Her husband had previously died and she missed him a lot; So she was really lonely and in a terrible spot.
The glow and shine had gone from Suela‟s bright world, we know. After a long illness, she died at sixty-nine in Ohio.
Her life left a ray of sunshine for all to remember
From the day of her death in 1920, the 20th of September.
Ella Lovina Stewart was devoted to service to others, for many years; She was a doer and had great intuition, and responded to everyone‟s fears. She was of Irish decent and had a great wit;
She was delightful to know, not just a little bit.
She always wore earrings and was cheerful and bright; She worked for humanity with all her might.
Ella was beautiful and small; and she had such deep blue eyes; A scent of violets always followed her, way up to the skies.
She was the daughter of a minister of the Methodist church, it seems; She wanted to go to college; it was one of her greatest dreams. However, disaster came to the family in 1864 –
Her father died and left five children; and then to be born was one more. Ella was sixteen and had a great responsibility –
Ella‟s mother started a boarding house for students to help out;
And she managed this through the years; she was plucky without a doubt. Ella entered college and was a member of the Beta Pin bunch –
At that time, the boys furnished the buggy, and the girls brought the lunch. Her basket of food was always the greatest, all the while.
She was a great hostess – and entertained with a smile.
Ella is the only founder who did not graduate from Iowa Wesleyan, you know; But do not discredit her for that; it was not lack of knowledge that made it so. The need for her help at home was so great,
And in college activities she did rate.
She audited classes and worked in her church, But she never left her friends in a lurch. She gave piano lessons for quite a long time, But id didn‟t pay well, isn‟t that a crime? She took a position in an industrial boys school,
She helped troubled boys and taught them the Golden Rule. She worked there eight years, and she gave them love, too, But she was forced to leave as ill health paid its due. In spite of a lung disorder, she was cheerful as could be , And she seemed to be happy until the end, for all to see. She left her pin to Alice Bird;
No rules for disposal of pins had been heard.
Now both Alice‟s and Ella‟s pins are in Memorial Hall.
These were the only founder‟s pins left, that we know of , at all. Ella died at age forty-six in 1894;
