Category Archives: Iowa Wesleyan College

P.E.O.’s Connection to Abraham Lincoln

Bess Truman is the only First Lady who was a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Her husband, President Harry Truman was considered a B.I.L. (brothers-in-law or brothers-in-love), the name given to the spouses and significant others of P.E.O. members. However, … Continue reading

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On Its Founding Day, Alpha Xi Delta and Its Connection to the P.E.O. Sisterhood

Alpha Xi Delta was founded at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois on April 17, 1893. Its founders are Cora Bollinger (Block), Alice Bartlett (Bruner), Bertha Cook (Evans), Harriett Luella McCollum (Gossow), Lucy W. Gilmer, Lewie Strong (Taylor), Almira Lowry Cheney, Frances … Continue reading

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When My Worlds Collide

When I learned that my friend Daphney, the driver of Pi Phi’s Ring Ching Roadshow car would be in Iowa at the same time I would be there, too, I asked if we could quickly meet and have a photo … Continue reading

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The P.E.O. Sisterhood Turns 148!

P.E.O., the Philanthropic Educational Organization, founded at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, celebrates its 148th birthday today. It was founded by seven young women. About a month earlier, Libbie Brook, who had previously been enrolled at Monmouth College, … Continue reading

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Memories, Melodies, and Mom Mindy!

The trip to Iowa was fun. To walk in the footsteps of the founders of both Pi Beta Phi and P.E.O. was thrilling. In the late 1860s, Mount Pleasant was called the Athens of Iowa. It was a bustling place and … Continue reading

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Morning in Mount Pleasant Following in the Footsteps of the P.E.O. Founders

On Friday, I drove to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. On the way, I made a quick stop at Holt House, the home where Pi Beta Phi was founded in 1867. When it was founded it was called I.C. Sorosis. Its motto … Continue reading

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Helping Women Reach for the Stars – The P.E.O. Sisterhood Turns 146!

My P.E.O. chapter met on Monday night. The reminder e-mail which the President sent a few days before the meeting was a double reminder. No only did it refresh my mind about the meeting, but it also told me that … Continue reading

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June 9, 1902, a Defining Date for Alpha Xi Delta and P.E.O.

June 9, 1902, is a defining date for two organizations, Alpha Xi Delta and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. P.E.O. was founded as a collegiate organization at Iowa Wesleyan University on January 21, 1869. Alpha Xi Delta was founded on April 17, … Continue reading

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Happy Founders’ Day 2014, Alpha Xi Delta!

Alpha Xi Delta was founded at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois on April 17, 1893. Its founders are Cora Bollinger Block, Alice Bartlett Bruner, Bertha Cook Evans, Harriett Luella McCollum, Lucy W. Gilmer, Lewie Strong Taylor, Almira Lowry Cheney, Frances Elisabeth … Continue reading

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“The Small Events of Today May Be the Great Things of Tomorrow” – The Corkhill Sisters and P.E.O.

P.E.O., a “philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women though scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations” was founded as a collegiate organization on January 21, … Continue reading

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