Category Archives: Iowa Wesleyan College

We Are All Sisters Here – the 71st P.E.O. Convention in Dallas

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

After I picked up my registration packet at the 71st Convention of International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, I sat down in the lobby of the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas hoping to check my e-mail. The bench next to … Continue reading →

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Happy Founders’ Day, Alpha Xi Delta (and a Connection to Carl Sandburg)

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

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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Ella Boston Leib, Alpha Xi Delta’s First NPC Chairman and a P.E.O. State President

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

I spotted the name Ella B. Leib as I was studying Illinois P.E.O. history in preparation for a session at the Illinois State P.E.O. Convention this summer. Ella Boston Leib played an important role in the early history of Alpha … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, P.E.O. Sisterhood! P.E.O.s Help Women Reach for the Stars

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

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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P.E.O. Bling – Supporting the Education of Women

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

“If someone doesn’t outbid her, you know it’ll soon be the subject of a blog post!” said my favorite Presbyterian pastor at our P.E.O. chapter’s annual fundraiser. And here the post is! The collection of P.E.O. themed items that our chapter president … Continue reading →

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Doctors Who Wore Badges: Fraternity Women in Medicine 1867-1902

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

In 1870, there were 525 female doctors in the United States (Newcomer, 1959).   Among the fraternity women who became physicians were founders of two NPC groups, Rachel Jane “Jennie” Nicol, a founder of Pi Beta Phi, and Eleanor Dorcas Pond … Continue reading →

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How the P.E.O.s at Iowa Wesleyan Became Alpha Xi Deltas

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

How exactly did those P.E.O.s at Iowa Wesleyan College become the Beta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta? How was that connection made? It was such a defining moment in the history of both organizations. P.E.O. was founded as a collegiate … Continue reading →

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We Wave Thy Colors Brave on High – Happy Founders’ Day Pi Beta Phi!

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

On April 28, 1867, a college society of women modeled after men’s Greek-letter fraternities was founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois.  Its name was I. C. Sorosis and its grip, the  handshake of its members, was accompanied by the … Continue reading →

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