OFFICERS OF International Chapter

President Brenda J. Atchison P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Chairman, Janet Steury Jayme Resnik First Vice President Patricia L. Brolin-Ribi Sheri Bailey P.E.O. Foundation Chairman, Lou McLaren Second Vice President Cathy Moss Nicole Berner Margaret “Peggy” Rose Finance Committee Organizer Alix Smith Chairman, Lori O’Keefe (Barbara) Ann Bowen Ellen Fox Recording Secretary Kathryn S. Ebert Audit Committee Chairman, Lori O’Keefe (Barbara) Ann Bowen Ellen Fox Standing Appointments Administrative Staff Study and Research Committee Executive Director Kathy A. Soppe Chairman, Beth Linderman Acting Director of Finance/Treasurer Vice Chairman, Karen Blair Elizabeth McFarland Director of Communications/Historian Kate Westercamp Christine Ankeney Judith French Karen Leftwich Director of Information Technology Dawn Clayberg Special Appointment The administrative staff has offices at the P.E.O. Executive Office. Parliamentarian, Barbara Rosi, PRP Cottey College Nominating Committee President, Jann Rudd Weitzel, Ph.D., 1000 West Austin Blvd., Nevada, MO 64772 Chairman, Lou Ireland Peggy Bottorf Jeanette Mooney Boards of Trustees and Standing Committees Mary Elliott Cottey College Cathy Manhart Chairman, Grace Chalker Vice Chairman, Kathryn Bayne Membership Committee Secretary, Diann E. McChesney Chairman, Jan Loftin James R. Bickel Vice Chairman, Jacqueline Dawson Cheryl Denslow Kathleen Feldman Georgann Douglas Rita Briggs Tamara Kenworthy Lauri Cushing Hope Zoeller Laura A. Parris Jack Ewing P.E.O. Leadership Development Committee Joan Braddock Chairman, Jennifer Mitchell Lydia Bangert Marylou Ruud P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund Debbie Kotecki Chairman, Mary Bormann Julee Carucci Vice Chairman, Jan Keeley Ann Lambert To Reach P.E.O. Nanci Rosensteel Mail P.E.O. Executive Office, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312-2899 Laurel Andrew Phone 515-255-3153 Fax 515-255-3820 Web peointernational.org (Go to Members Login, enter username P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund and password, then click Contact Us.) Chairman, Barbara C. Olson Jan Knuckey Karen Neylon To Reach Cottey College Mail 1000 W Austin Blvd., Nevada, Missouri 64772-2790 P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education Phone 417-667-8181 Fax 417-667-8103 Chairman, Susan Penrod Email [email protected] Debra Dumler Web cottey.edu Beverly Prewitt P.E.O. Scholar Awards To Reach The P.E.O. Record or Submit Material Chairman, Laurie Collins Rebecca Daniel Becky Frazier, Editor Terry Northcutt Mail 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50312 Phone 515-255-3153 Fax 515-255-3820 Email [email protected] Layout and design of The P.E.O. Record by Allison Vial PRESIDENT’S|message

I am an optimist; radiate more love wherever we do. offer help to members of their local a glass-half-full Is not that ‘tie that binds’ stronger chapters and reciprocities; planting type of person. today than ever before?” flowers and gardens, shopping for Ever hopeful As state, provincial and district groceries and sewing protective face in the face of conventions and all P.E.O. gatherings masks for those in need. Sisters are challenges, I look were canceled this spring, that P.E.O. sharing knowledge willingly with each for the positive in heart culture beat louder. We made other; knowledge and how-to tips every situation; a point to connect with each other— from teachers, health professionals, the silver lining writing notes, making calls and helping scientists, technologists, event when the clouds our sisters become familiar with planners, master gardeners, artists are darkest. videoconference technology. State, and makers, leadership and change Where, oh where, can we find a hint of provincial and district leaders put management experts, as well as day a silver lining during this generational aside their loss and made sure care professionals and family chefs. pandemic which has surrounded our our sisters were safe and sound. The Executive Board of International families and friends? Nelle Stadelman, journalist for Chapter has appointed a Focus Group We grieve the many losses we have Chapter Q, The Dalles, Oregon, wrote of more than 30 members throughout experienced. The loss of our own to The Record on May, 8, 1919, “During the United States and Canada to help normal stability. The loss of loved the past winter we held only a few work through the issues surrounding ones. The loss of those with so much meetings owing to the fact that our the re-opening of P.E.O. gatherings. more to give to our communities and town was twice closed on account Focus Group members are current Brenda J. Atchison, President, International Chapter International President, Atchison, J. Brenda our world. of the terrible epidemic, Spanish and former leadership team members influenza, which is now, we trust, from state, provincial, district and local Thankfully, the loss of our sisters has chapters with varied expertise. been kept incredibly low, perhaps a thing of the past. Our community less than 10, in comparison to initial suffered greatly, only a few families We do not know when or how we will calculations of several thousand escaping. One of our members saw re-open P.E.O. gatherings, but we will. entering Chapter Eternal due to this the need, in so many homes where We will welcome new members again. pandemic. Your efforts and work to all were down, of hot nourishing We will continue our shared mission follow our leadership’s decisions has broth, so she made, and solicited of philanthropy. We will hug each other decreased the number of precious all she could, and delivered it in the future. afternoons. Over three hundred lives lost. The bonds of sisterhood, that heart quarts of broth thus found their culture of P.E.O., is our silver lining In the president’s report to the 1919 way into homes, where nourishment legacy in this darkest cloud. Convention of Idaho Grand (State) was badly needed. All members Chapter, Eda Warner reflected on of this chapter helped with this.” Stay safe. Reach out to your sisters. the trying year with many weeks of My love to each of you. forbidden public gatherings. She Hints of a silver lining are continuing stated, “Often our work was done with to emerge as our non-resident a heavy heart and eyes blinded with members connect with their home tears, but out of it all have we not chapters and chapters in their area. developed a heart culture that will P.E.O. sisters are reaching out to

Please join the Executive Finding the Silver Board of International Chapter in extending a grateful thank you to Christine A Scheuneman, Chapter VA, Irvine, California, and Dr. Sandra J. Laney, a public trustee from Illinois, for their seven years of service on the Cottey College Lining Board of Trustees from June 1, 2013, through June 1, 2020. … We welcome Joan F. Braddock, Past President, Alaska State Chapter, and Lydia R. Bangert, Past President, Michigan State Chapter, who have accepted an appointment to the Cottey College Board of Trustees for a seven-year term commencing June 1, 2020, and ending June 1, 2027. Thank you for saying “Yes!”

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 1 Contents The P.E.O. Record | July–August 2020 | Vol. 132 | No. 4

Special Features 7 Lessons for LEADing 5 Your Best Life BY HOPE ZOELLER

Look for the Helpers, 7 Look for the P.E.O.s BY BECKY FRAZIER

Let’s Talk Membership 10 BY ALIX SMITH A Century of Struggle: 12 The Women’s Suffrage Movement in the U.S. as Told Through the Stories of 12 Courageous Women BY JUDITH STARK

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7 FOLLOW US Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: LinkedIn: PEO International @peointernational @PEOSisterhood International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood

2 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars IN THIS|issue Gallery of Presidents 17 Ellen Busby, British Columbia Michelle Paschal, Maryland Isabelle Dubois Wattles, Lisa Cooley, Michigan California Kristi Harlan, Minnesota Shari L. Fox, Colorado Mary Eldridge, Nevada In Every Issue Pam Collins, Connecticut Pauline Carter, North Carolina Margaret Lliteras, District Phyllis Dvorak, North Dakota President’s Message of Columbia 1 Laura Cunningham Firkey, Finding the Silver Lining Phyllis Howard, Idaho BY BRENDA J. ATCHISON Northeast District Elisa Wolfe, Illinois Nancy Shelton, Ohio 4 Your Letters Marti Ramsey, Indiana Katharine Barnes, Ontario-Quebec 6 Tech Tip Sue Aanes, Iowa Mary Stickney, Virginia Socialize with Your Susan Smith, Kansas Sisters From Home Cassandra Lake, Washington BY ANNIE JENKINS Lana Kington, Kentucky Vicki Frea, Wisconsin Arleen Mayeux, Louisiana 16 P.E.O. Leadership Development Create a Flowing Pipeline of Chapter Leaders BY DEBBIE KOTECKI P.E.O. Philanthropies and Foundation 33 New Chapters 26 P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund 34 Centennial Chapters Wood Sculptor Annie Meyer Pursues New Creative Heights: ELF Loan Helps Fund her MFA BY LAUREL ANDREW 35 P.E.O. International Membership Committee 27 Cottey College Staying Connected Cottey and COVID-19 BY DR. JANN WEITZEL No Matter What BY JAN LOFTIN 28 P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund The Global Connections of IPS BY BARBARA OLSON 36 Award Winning Ideas 29 P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education 38 Where at Home is The Record? Building a Legacy of Brighter Tomorrows through PCE BY DEBBIE NIELSEN DUMLER 40 P.E.O. Authors 30 P.E.O. Scholar Awards P.E.O.s in the Spotlight 42 All A-Twitter for the P.E.O. Scholar Award BY REBECCA DANIEL 43 Fundraising Marketplace 31 P.E.O. STAR Scholarship 48 About P.E.O. Helping Your Student Reach For the Stars BY JANET MILLER STEURY, JAYME RESNIK AND SHERI BAILEY 49 To The Point 32 P.E.O. Foundation 2 Funds…1 Purpose: Philanthropy Through the P.E.O. Foundation BY NICOLE BERNER 50 P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund Fostering Peace Through Education

The P.E.O. Record (ISSN 0746-5130) is published bimonthly by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312-2899. Periodical class postage paid at Des Moines, Iowa, and at all additional mailing offices. Subscription price is $5.00 per year. Single copies are $1.00. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The P.E.O. Record, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312-2899. Printed in USA. Canada Publications Mail Agreement No. 40586518. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to IMEX, P.O. Box 4332, Station Rd., Toronto, ON M5W 3J4. LinkedIn: Submission of material to The P.E.O. Record is your consent to our right to edit and publish it, either all or in part, in any P.E.O. print or digital communication medium. International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood The content matter may or may not reflect the opinions of the Sisterhood. Complete submission guidelines appear on the “Members Only” section of P.E.O.’s official website, peointernational.org. The P.E.O. Record welcomes members’ submissions to the address on the inside front cover.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 3 your LETTERS When the Stars align The stars aligned for Chapter IP, Sacramento, California, on January 25, 2020, when Mia Kagianis was Tina Richardson with initiated into the chapter. hundreds of birthday cards for Betty Chapter IP helped Mia with her college expenses in 2016 and 2018. Mia graduated in 2019 from California State University in Sacramento. She had P.E.O. embroidered on Carolyn Farrar, her graduation stole and has said Mia Kagianis and Brenda Atchison numerous times she couldn’t have done it without P.E.O. help. In November 2019, Chapter IP was thrilled when Mia accepted their membership invitation. A chapter meeting was called for 800 January 25, the morning of the Founder’s Day luncheon at which Betty McCarty Brenda Atchison was going to be the featured speaker. We let Birthday Cards Brenda know about the ceremony and were so excited when In January I had a vision pop into my mind she called and asked if she might attend and participate in the regarding one of our P.E.O. sisters, Betty initiation! Not many new sisters have the President of International McCarty, who would be turning 105 on April 22… Chapter at their initiation. What if I collected 105 birthday cards from P.E.O.s Now Mia is working in the education technology field supporting all over the country? After sharing my idea with our current and future students to access resources that will further chapter, Q, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, we eagerly their education, spreading the “star dust” of P.E.O. along the way. set out to make this vision a reality. I submitted — Michaela Crandley, IP, Sacramento, California requests to several P.E.O. Facebook pages, contacted several chapter presidents in other states and e-mailed every chapter president in Michigan. The response to my request was overwhelming. Not only did we surpass 105 cards, but we received over 800 cards from all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. A P.E.O. 80 Years Our chapter planned on having a birthday party at Betty’s house on her birthday, then COVID-19 in the Making hit. One of our members coordinated with Betty’s family and decided to instead have a “birthday Rose Miller’s long-held vision of becoming a parade.” We didn’t realize that Betty’s son was P.E.O. sister became a reality on February 17, going to advertise it on the local radio station. Rose 2020, when she was initiated into Chapter A, So, on a cold and cloudy April 22, we met in our Miller Hanover, New Hampshire. decorated cars at the local grocery store. It started Rose grew up in Washington state. The out with a few cars, and they kept coming and family moved frequently as her father, a coming. We ended up with a police escort of over Methodist pastor, was called to several different churches. Her 100 vehicles to Betty’s home. There were balloons, mother, Myrtle Rose-Law, had been a member of seven P.E.O. banners, large daisy flowers and lots of honking. chapters and deeply believed in its mission. When Rose learned Betty’s family made certain that she had the perfect there was a local P.E.O. chapter, and several friends in her view from the porch, and her smile said it all. She retirement community were P.E.O.s, she told them of her hope to was overjoyed, and we definitely made her day. become a P.E.O. too. She is thrilled to be a member of Chapter A. Betty, her family, and our Chapter Q members Rose spreads warmth to everyone she encounters. Now her P.E.O. thank all of YOU from the bottom of our hearts. sisters will be the beneficiaries of her upbeat, positive spirit. Thank you for bringing such joy into Betty’s life Rose will celebrate her 100th birthday in September. during this time of uncertainty. — Alice Geiling, A, Hanover, New Hampshire — Tina Richardson, Q, Kalamazoo, Michigan

4 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars SPECIAL|feature

by Dr. Hope Zoeller, Cottey College Board of Trustees Lessons for LEADing Your L As we age, each momentBest becomes more precious. The simple things becomeife the things that make us happiest. We realize the battles that are worth fighting and the ones that are best surrendered. We make peace by letting go of things that do not serve us well.

Below are lessons for LEADing your best life:

LIVE in the moment. Be present wherever you are and in whatever you are doing; it makes for a richer and more meaningful experience. Next time you feel yourself drifting from the present, try to bring yourself back to wherever you are. Realize that this moment is precious and never to be lived again, so be in it. As Horace the poet said in 23 BC, carpe diem—seize the day!

EMBRACE the beauty around you. Many of us are always rushing to get to the next meeting, the next project, the next day, even the next season. As soon as the snow falls, we wish it were spring. As soon as it is spring, we wish it were fall. Never are we truly appreciating the beauty of this moment of this season of our life. This results in missing many of life’s sweetest moments. As Henry David Thoreau so eloquently said, “You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”

APPRECIATE the efforts of others. Celebrate their successes as if they were your own. According to researcher Tom Rath at Gallup, the number one reason why people quit their jobs is lack of appreciation. Everyone wants to feel significant, to be recognized for what they do. A nineteenth-century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said, “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your ideas but to reveal to him his own.”

DEDICATE your life to others. It’s not about how much we get in life; it’s about how much we give. If you truly desire happiness, seek and serve others. Share knowledge and resources. Make introductions. Recognize the accomplishments of others. Volunteer your time. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” By helping others, you are leading yourself to success.

Hope Zoeller, Founder & Here s to appreciating and living President, HOPE ’ (Helping Other every minute of your best life! People Excel)

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 5 TECH|tip Socialize With Your Sisters from Home by Annie Jenkins, Digital Communications Specialist, International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing has been illuminated — the need for human connection. As we are all doing our part by staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19, it’s important to keep in touch with our P.E.O. sisters.

The Executive Board of International A phone call, text or handwritten TV recommendations: Have each Chapter has approved that local letter can do so much to brighten participant come prepared with chapters be allowed to hold emergency a friend’s day, and if you want even a favorite TV show to recommend meetings by teleconference or more interaction, we have some and details about where to watch it. videoconference for specific items of ideas and tips for you! Sisterly dinner: Pick a time to log business. You can get more details on on and eat dinner together. You requirements for holding an emergency Ideas for Staying Social could even choose one recipe that meeting at https://members. everyone makes. peointernational.org/covid19. While Social Distancing At the time of publication, no Book club: You can all coordinate Cocktail party: Make an excuse to in-person P.E.O. gatherings are to read the same book or keep it pull out a fancy outfit for this “party.” to be held prior to August 1, 2020. casual and have each participant Dress up, grab a favorite beverage talk for a few minutes about what and see where the conversation goes. Regular business meetings should not she has been reading. be held for any other reason than what P.E.O. trivia night: Ask a member is approved as an emergency meeting; Record article discussion: Pick an who owns the “We Who Are Sisters” however, socializing with your sisters article in The Record for everyone P.E.O. history book to write a few is always encouraged, even if we have to discuss. A group leader can write trivia questions to challenge the rest to socialize virtually this summer! a few discussion questions ahead of of your group. time to get the conversation started.

How to do it? SET UP A ZOOM CALL Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing service you can use to meet virtually with others using video. Although other video communication services are also available, Zoom is easy to use and offers basic services at no cost. 1. Anyone can sign up for a free account at Zoom.us. The call host needs an account, but those joining in on the call do not need one. 2. Once signed in, the call host should click Schedule and fill in the details in order to schedule a call. – After saving, they will see Join URL, which is the link participants will need to click on to join the meeting at the specified date and time. – Hosts will also see a link to copy the invitation. The host can then paste this into an email or a text to invite members to the call. 3. At the set date and time, participants join the video conference by clicking on the link sent by the host.

NOTES: – Users will be prompted to download Zoom after clicking on the meeting link. Follow the prompts to download and continue. – Users will need to allow Zoom access to their computer’s microphone and camera. Upgraded plans (which a user may choose to purchase) have options to call in to a Zoom meeting from a phone. Although this is a good option to allow members to join with just phone access, be aware of the added cost. – With a free account, a Zoom meeting can last up to 40 minutes. If the time expires, the host can send a new link to continue the Zoom meeting for up to an additional 40 minutes. – Remember your sisters who do not have the technology or technical expertise to join video conferencing. Consider calling those members and having them on speakerphone near a computer so they can participate in the meeting.

Remember, this is supposed to be fun! There will absolutely be hiccups the first few times, but as sisters we are all in this together. The main thing is finding new ways to connect while we cannot physically be in the same place. It’s also important to remember your sisters who don’t have the technology at home to join in. Make sure to keep calling, texting and writing to those sisters.

6 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars COVER|story FOR FOR LOOKTHE LOOKTHE HELPERS P.E.O.s

by Becky Frazier, Editor, The P.E.O. Record

eloved children’s television personality Fred Rogers recalled, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” These words, meant to comfort and reassure children, are often a source of hope for adults as well and, in many cases, encourage and remind people that it is up to those of us who are able, to be those helpers. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our world, we have heard so many stories of P.E.O.s jumping in to be the helpers who Mr. Rogers told us to look for in times of tragedy. These are only a handful of the many stories of P.E.O.s stepping up to use their talents during this difficult time. Catharyn Nosek AL, Greensboro, North Carolina

U.S. Navy Lt. Catharyn Nosek works as a critical care nurse and that we are prepared for this…It’s very easy to get stationed at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia. down and be exhausted. We’ve worked weeks and weeks During the month of April, she worked aboard the hospital without a day off and we’re all very tired but we know that ship USNS Comfort, which was moored in New York Harbor, we’re accomplishing good here and the overall mission is caring for critically ill patients suffering from COVID-19. to help the people In an interview with the Navy Office of Community of New York and Outreach, distributed by the Defense Visual Information we’re absolutely Distribution Service, Catharyn said, “My job responsibility happy to be here in the ICU is to provide care to the ICU patients that come to do that and aboard from New York City. That includes taking care of we’re happy their medications, their ventilators, any other care that’s to be a part needed on the ship…This mission calls for a lot of teamwork of this mission.” and a lot of resiliency. “When I get off work I try to decompress a little bit and reflect on what we saw during the shift and I’m letting my family and friends know that this is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before…these are sicker patients that are requiring My job responsibility in the ICU a lot more care…we’re on our feet taking care of these sick patients, we’ve got patients lined up on ventilators that are is to provide care to the ICU very sick and need a lot of high quality care and, luckily, patients that come aboard from this is what we train for, and we’re absolutely ready for it. New York City. That includes “Staying motivated and staying positive is definitely a taking care of their medications, core part of what we’re doing right now, because you have to keep a positive attitude to keep going so we’re doing their ventilators, any other care whatever we can to motivate each other, remind each other that’s needed on the ship… of the mission at hand—that we’re here for a greater good This mission calls for a lot of teamwork and a lot of resiliency. continued on page 8...

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 7 COVER|story Natalie Torrance JB, Monument, Colorado

“I am a clinical nurse manager in a critical care sewed buttons on the sides for us to hook our masks to so division at a hospital in New York City. I am originally they wouldn’t breakdown our ears as much. It amazes me from Colorado and am a 3rd generation P.E.O., what the Sisterhood of P.E.O. can do! The silver lining of initiated into Chapter JB in 2010. a horrible pandemic has been the support and outreach “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been from friends and family and I wouldn’t have been able to involved with managing nursing staff within the get through it without all of them.” critical care division as well as working alongside my colleagues as a nurse caring for COVID positive ICU patients. Working the frontlines has been the most physically, mentally and emotionally demanding situation I have ever been through. It has been extremely difficult to be stretched thin as a nurse, working the hardest you can to try and heal an unknown disease, and then seeing patients who are sick and at the end of their life with no family and no friends around to be there with them. I have been extremely fortunate to be supported by P.E.O.s whom I’ve known since I was a little girl and those I’ve never met before. My home chapter in Colorado was amazing and sent me encouraging and supportive cards that would give me the boost I needed on some really difficult days. I had saved many of the Natalie (in pink scrub cap made cards as I received them to open on days where I by P.E.O. Jan Sprow in the middle) and her nursing staff sporting needed an extra word of positivity or support with scrub caps/ masks, and treats the signature ‘Lovingly in P.E.O.’ at the end of every donated by P.E.O.s, church friends one. I now have my P.E.O. Card Corner in my kitchen and family members. to admire every day! In addition to these words of encouragement, the outpouring of support I’ve received from people I’ve never met before Natalie’s P.E.O. has been outstanding. Card Corner A P.E.O. from Roanoke, Virginia, Jan Sprow, whom I had never met, was connected to my mother via Facebook. Jan generously sewed many facemasks and scrub caps for my nursing staff at the hospital. At It amazes me what the Sisterhood that point of P.E.O. can do! The silver lining of in time, the a horrible pandemic has been the staff had no support and outreach from friends scrub hats to protect and family and I wouldn’t have themselves been able to get through it without and and Jan all of them. thoughtfully

8 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars Amy Bahn AJ, Hendersonville, Tennessee by Margaret Mullins, AJ, Tennessee One only has to know They never advertised Amy Bahn for a very their plan for donating short time before PPE but Amy mentioned it on realizing that she has Facebook, asking people if their hospital or a heart for service. health center needed some. Amy’s reach through Facebook Most recently, she was much wider than they planned, with requests coming has been a part in her family’s decision in from all over the state as well as the northeast. Soon, to use their company to help during the COVID-19 crisis. they sent the first 500 face shields to Chattanooga Erlanger The company she and her husband own recently made hospital then another 500 to Indianapolis, where Amy’s niece and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) for local works in the Veterans hospital. The rest were distributed in agencies needing this basic safety protection during the the middle Tennessee area. COVID-19 crisis. Amy and her husband, Stuart, moved their Since that first run of PPE, Amy and Stuart have committed family and their company to Hendersonville, Tennessee, their company to making the shields “as long as there is a from southern California in 2005. Their company, Carrington need and they can get the raw materials.” They also agreed Specialty Building Products, makes items for roofing. When to work with the local Emergency Management Agency, Amy spoke with a nursing friend from California and learned realizing the agency knew who had the most critical need of the issues concerning the shortage of protective face shields for the PPE. They did need to begin charging for the shields during what was quickly becoming a national crisis, she began but currently do so at a price point just above the costs. to wonder if their own company might be able to make the Both Amy and her husband were surprised to realize needed PPE. She and Stuart checked into the moving parts that the making and donating of the shields was also greatly of making the shields and realized their company not only benefitting their small company. They did not have to lay off could make them but they could also donate them to area workers, half of whom were working mothers who had no health agencies. Their initial plan was to donate 10,000 of other source of income. Additionally, they were able to keep the shields but in the end, they donated 14,000. supply lines open by continuing to purchase raw materials. Lori Landstrom R, Seward, Alaska by Nicole Lawrence, courtesy of The Seward Sun Lori Landstrom is my COVID-19 community hero. She is During these hard times a health professional who has taken this extra time to go it is almost easier to stick above and beyond by helping out with personal protective your head in the sand or equipment (PPE) in our community as well as other projects use quarantine as a reason …Lori has taken it upon herself to research the PPE needs to keep to yourself. In of our community. this time of crisis, Lori She found that Seward Fire Department, Moose Pass Fire has really stepped up Department, Bear Creek Fire Department, Seward Volunteer and brought together Ambulance Corp. and the Seward Community Health Center, businesses, organizations as well as other organizations were in need of PPE. She and individuals in the coordinated…to provide face shields to these organizations. community to address Lori also worked with AVTEC [Alaska Vocational Technical our needs. Besides the PPE projects, Center] to have their students use a 3D printer and make part Lori has also volunteered her time with other of the face shield pieces that were needed. After working needs in the community such as helping deliver meals to to get the face shields in place, Lori identified a need for seniors as well as serving other roles. She is a true helper in disposable or reusable gowns for these organizations. She a time of need and I am grateful for her energy, knowledge found a way to get…100 gowns into the community. Now and passion! that there are no more gowns available online, Lori has taken Lori added, “I would also like to recognize my chapter it upon herself to research the best materials for more gowns sister Sue Magyar. I needed help coordinating cloth mask- and is now coordinating a volunteer community sewing making in our community. I ‘twisted the arm’ of Sue to be project…She said she is touched by how many people in the the mask coordinator. To date, the volunteers have made community stepped up to help sew these gowns once the and distributed over 3,000 in our community.” materials come in.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 9 SPECIAL|feature Let’s Talk Membership by Alix Smith, How did you hear about P.E.O.? Organizer, • 45% of respondents learned of P.E.O. through friends followed closely by learning of P.E.O. International from a family member at 39%. Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood • Only 2% of respondents attended Cottey College and 1% applied for a P.E.O. loan, grant or scholarship. These results indicate an immediate opportunity for every P.E.O. chapter to share the gift of membership with Cottey College students and alumnae as well as When you were the women we recommend for loans, grants and scholarships through our philanthropic projects. These women already have knowledge about the financial support that P.E.O. initiated into provides and may benefit from the emotional support among P.E.O. sisters. P.E.O., you came to the meeting a friend and you What has kept you engaged in participating as a local chapter member? left a sister. What • Leading the responses is “friendship and special connection with my chapter sisters” did becoming a at 28%. This was consistently the highest selection regardless of years of membership P.E.O. mean to you with 35% of those initiated this year making this choice. and how might • The second highest reason was “shared values with other P.E.O.s” at 21% which was your perception a consistent percentage across all years of membership. of P.E.O. change • The third most popular was “sponsoring philanthropic candidates” at 16% which was throughout the consistent across all years of membership except for those initiated this year (10%). ensuing years of It is evident from these results that the connections and bonds we build as sisters is your membership? important in keeping our members engaged in P.E.O. As part of the Let’s Talk From 1 to 10, with 10 being most likely, how likely are you to recommend P.E.O. Survey, 5,620 to a family member (respondent average of 8.12) or to a friend or colleague respondents (respondent average of 8.22)? provided • From a percentage standpoint, members for 31-40 years averaged the highest intent demographic to recommend in both categories with 51+ year members coming in a close second. information including the length of their How many times have you proposed a name for membership? P.E.O. membership • 67% of respondents have proposed at least one name for membership. and answered questions about • When asked the reason for not proposing a name, concern about time commitment was the majority response. their experiences in P.E.O. We appreciate each P.E.O. is a voluntary activity and our success is based on each members’ ability to participate member that took however she is able. There are seasons of membership where one can be more active, serve as an the survey and are officer or on a committee and participate in fundraising events while at other times participation may be limited. As members, aim to maximize your impact for the time commitment you can give pleased that each to P.E.O. while taking the opportunity to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood with each chapter state, provincial member regardless of your level of participation. and district chapter and Hawaii The results of the Let’s Talk Survey reaffirmed that the emotional support we give and receive as sisters is a defining factor in our organization regardless of the length of membership. We are represented. appreciate your commitment and dedication to P.E.O. and thank you for participating.

10 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars SPECIAL|feature

How did you hear about P.E.O.? What has kept you engaged in P.E.O.?

Alumna or interest Friends in Cottey College

Engaging chapter programs Family - Legacy member Friendship and special connection with my chapter sisters Other Fun in fundraising

From a work It's all about the colleague food at meetings Shared values with Attended other P.E.O.s Cottey College Small interest groups Applied for a P.E.O. loan, grant, scholarship or award Sponsoring philanthropic candidates At a community event Other

0% 10%20% 30%40% 50% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30%

intent to recommend for membership (scale 1-10)

51+ year member

41-50 year member “There are many wonderful facets to P.E.O. They all play a role but we 31-40 year member need to emphasize the nature of our organization. We have devotions, 21-30 year member but we are not a Bible study group. We have great programs, but we 11-20 year member are not a study club. We have fantastic projects and while we 1-10 year member enthusiastically support them, friend or colleague we are not just a service club. Initiated this year family member We are a sisterhood. Without the intimacy that come from sharing 7.2 7.4 7.6 7.8 8.0 8.2 8.4 8.6 8.8 our lives as sisters, not just friends, P.E.O. will struggle to meet our goals. An early builder once Local Chapter said, ‘Of all the goals of P.E.O., this Membership Survey I think is the most important – the How to Care for binding together and building up Nonparticipating Members of a more intelligent, capable, Membership Begins with ME ever increasing army of women – a sisterhood trying to live our Become a Membership Powerhouse principles. This is P.E.O. All else comes after this; all else is just The local chapter membership Fostering Friendships toolbox on the International website Through P.E.O. P.E.O. in action.’” provides resources and ideas for Christine (Chris) Fredrickson, KK, strengthening the vitality and How to Develop Small Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 50+ year member health of your chapter including: Interest Groups

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 11 SPECIAL|feature A Century of Struggle: The Women’s Suffrage Movement in the U.S. as Told Through the Stories of 12 Courageous Women by Judith Stark, HX, Des Moines, Iowa

August 18, 2020, marks the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving women citizens the right to vote nationwide. While this milestone is arguably one of the greatest civil rights achievements in our nation’s history, the persons engaged in the century-long struggle to enfranchise over 50 percent of adult citizens have long been overlooked in the writing of our nation’s history. And yet, the lives and stories of the thousands of women that lit the spark and kept the flame of progress burning through multiple generations is a legacy we stand on and benefit from even today. Here are stories and words of 12 “women of courage” who refused to give up or sit down in the face of enormous opposition to achieving a right we now often take for granted.

is not paid to the ladies, we • Husbands had a legal At age 26, Sarah accompanied Abigail are determined to foment claim to their labor and her father to Philadelphia. a rebellion, and will not hold automatic custody of their There she found an outlet Adams ourselves bound by any children in the event of that allowed her to use her Abigail Adams laws in which we have no separation or divorce. voice to advocate for the served as an voice or representation.” • Women could not serve abolition of slavery—the influential In order to better understand on juries or volunteer for Quaker faith. After her advisor to her husband, Abigail’s intent, we need military duties. father’s death she returned John Adams, throughout to remind ourselves of the • Women could not vote to South Carolina for a short their marriage. Often left second-class status of in elections at any level. period of time but found the alone in Massachusetts environment incompatible women in the 18th and So given these circumstances, to raise their family and run with her anti-slavery beliefs. early 19th centuries. essentially no voice, no the family farm while her She returned to Philadelphia • Women were expected vote, no wallet…where husband was crafting the where she became active in to restrict their sphere does one start? the New England abolitionist institutions and documents of interest to the home, that form the foundation movement. In a series of family and limited Letters on the Equality of the of our democracy, Abigail charitable endeavors. and John exchanged more Sarah Grimke Sexes and the Condition of • Women were not Woman (1837) she wrote: than 1,100 letters in which For Sarah Grimke, it began encouraged to obtain a “I ask no favors for my sex. she expressed her opinions with finding and using real education or allowed I surrender not our claim about topics domestic and her voice. Sarah was the to pursue a professional to equality. All I ask of our political. In one letter she daughter of a prominent career. Sunday school was brethren is that they will used pointed language to slave-holding Charleston, often the only schooling take their feet from off our make her desires known South Carolina, family. From white girls received. necks and permit us to about the plight of “the a young age Sarah was • At the point of marriage stand upright on the ladies”… educated by private tutors. women went from ground which God has Her father allowed Sarah to “…in the new code of laws dependency on their designed us to occupy.“ which I suppose… you to fathers to femes coverts, study geography, history and make, I desire you would meaning without legal mathematics and to read his These words were used by remember the ladies and identity apart from their law books. Sarah developed Ruth Bader Ginsberg in her be more generous and husbands. a personal distaste for first oral arguments before favorable to them than chattel slavery and secretly the U.S. Supreme Court. • Married women could your ancestors. Do not put taught the young slave not own property in While in Philadelphia, such unlimited power into children in her household their own names. Sarah Grimke became the hands of the husbands. to read and do simple • If women earned money, a friend and collaborator Remember, all men would arithmetic. This came to an with Lucretia Mott. be tyrants if they could. If it did not legally belong abrupt end when her father particular care and attention to them. found out and threatened to have the children whipped.

12 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars SPECIAL|feature

Lucretia Elizabeth Mott Cady P.E.O. and Raised as a Stanton Quaker, a faith that believed Women’s Rights men and women were equal The acknowledged in the eyes of God, Lucretia philosopher of the suffrage *excerpted from “We Who Are Mott was a fierce abolitionist movement, Elizabeth Cady Sisters,” the P.E.O. history book and mother of six. In 1833 Stanton was born in 1815 into she founded the Philadelphia a slaveholding, wealthy New By the mid-1800s women were becoming increasingly Female Anti-Slavery Society York family. Well-educated conscious of their civil rights. Numerous supporters of and hosted the second in a coed environment women’s rights and civil rights, including Frederick Douglass, Anti-Slavery Convention until the age of 16, she was Bronson Alcott, Anna Dickinson and Amelia Bloomer, spoke of American Women, ineligible to be admitted in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the Founders’ hometown. which brought together to any college in America Such speakers found Mount Pleasant to be an extremely 175 black and white female because she was a woman. active center for state women suffrage matters. Iowa’s abolitionists from 10 states. first state-wide Woman’s Suffrage Convention was held On July 19 and 20, 1848, in Mount Pleasant in 1870. Alice Bird began lecturing on In 1840, she and her husband, Elizabeth and Lucretia Mott women’s suffrage that year. She later recalled: “We seven James, were selected as hosted what has come to be Founders received our first lessons in suffrage direct from Pennsylvania delegates observed as the start of the the mouths of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton to the World Anti-Slavery organized woman’s rights and Anna Dickinson. In our zeal, we had our hair cropped Convention in London. movement in the U.S.—the short, and made a vow that the Tyrant Man should never When they arrived, they Seneca Falls Convention enter into our lives!” found that many of the in Seneca Falls, New York. Franc Roads Elliott was known for her work for suffrage… male delegates refused At the convention they she became deeply involved in securing for women the to let female delegates wrote and presented, and right to a seat and a vote in the General Conference of the into the convention. the delegates adopted, a Methodist Episcopal Church. Lucretia—along with fellow “Declaration of Sentiments,” Canadian women obtained the federal vote in 1918, and abolitionist Elizabeth Cady a document modeled two years later American women were granted the same Stanton, who was attending on the Declaration of right with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the convention as a Independence, which called the U.S. Constitution. newlywed with her delegate for a range of women’s rights, Winona (Evans Reeves) reminded readers (of the P.E.O. husband—had had enough. including the right to equal Record) that P.E.O.s should take an intelligent interest in The two conspired to work education, equal treatment every election, for “we do not want merely to double the together to establish a under the law and religion number of votes cast, but to make a real contribution to meeting for Women’s Rights and the right to vote. Sixty- national welfare.” once they returned to the eight women and 32 men In 1922, continuing to encourage P.E.O.s to recognize United States. However, it signed the Declaration of their rights as women, Helen Harlan had this to say in would take another eight Sentiments. an address written for the Illinois State Convention: “If a years for their vow to be Busy with the work of woman regards the Nineteenth Amendment merely as the realized at the Seneca raising a rambunctious right to vote, she may as well stay at home on election day Falls Convention. family Elizabeth nevertheless as many ill-equipped men do. But the enfranchisement of women means vastly more than that. It means that women For Lucretia, abolitionism found time to write many of are eligible to any office in the United States…There is no and women’s rights went the early legislative petitions door now closed to woman, politically or governmentally. hand in hand and she for expanded women’s She has become at least potentially, a dominating force.” continued to fight fearlessly rights and wrote many of for both. Following passage the earliest speeches for of the Fugitive Slave Act in Susan B. Anthony. 1850, Lucretia became part continued on page 14... To learn more about P.E.O.’s involvement in the women’s of the Underground Railroad suffrage movement and other U.S. history and world and was one of the founders events, order “We Who Are Sisters,” the P.E.O. pictorial of Swarthmore College in history book at www.peo150.org. The cost is $40 + Philadelphia in 1864, one of shipping + applicable sales tax. the earliest co-educational institutes of higher learning in the U.S.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 13 SPECIAL|feature

the first year’s room and Perhaps her greatest tuition at Oberlin College in contribution to the issue Susan B. Sojourner Ohio, one of the earliest of suffrage was that Anthony Truth co-ed, bi-racial colleges in she connected the right Susan B. The abolition of the nation. After graduation of women to vote with Anthony slavery was the she embarked on a profession advancing the protection was raised introductory of being an itinerant lecturer of Christian homes from the in a Quaker family in issue that led many women for the causes of anti-slavery disruption of drinking. In her Massachusetts and New into an activist role, this was and women’s rights. speeches, publications and York. She initially became a doubly true for the legendary With her husband, Lucy pamphlets she deplored teacher but left to become Sojourner Truth. Born a formed the American the “disenfranchisement a temperance lecturer. When slave, illiterate all her life, her Woman Suffrage Association of 12 million people who she encountered vehement master forbade her to marry (AWSA), a competing are citizens.” Organizing opposition to a woman the man she loved. She had organization to Susan B. and activating women at speaking to mixed audiences, to marry a man “approved” Anthony’s NWSA. Both the local, county, state and she turned her full-time by her owner with whom organizations worked on national levels provided attention to advocating she had 13 children, most both state and national thousands of women from all for women’s rights. of them sold into slavery. levels to promote suffrage, walks of life the experience but the AWSA was more of civic engagement for the Over her career she averaged In 1827, New York State first time. 75 to 100 speeches per year freed its slaves and over conservative and focused across the nation. Together time Sojourner found her exclusively on suffrage The temperance movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton voice as an abolitionist. In while the NWSA fought sparked a backlash from she started the National 1851 at a woman’s rights for a broader portfolio of those with a personal Woman Suffrage Association convention in Akron, Ohio, women’s rights such as or vested interest in (NWSA) with the associated none of the women in the right to own property, maintaining the availability publication The Revolution. attendance seemed able right to divorce, etc. and flow of alcohol. This backlash also cast a cloud In 1872 she, along with 14 of to answer an outbreak of It was a continual frustration heckling from a clergyman to both groups that over the suffrage movement her relatives and friends, cast as the two movements were ballots in the presidential who ridiculed the weakness women themselves were and helplessness of women, often the most difficult inevitably linked by their election, claiming that voting opponents. was a right of citizenship, who, he declared, should opponents to convince of and the term “citizen” did therefore not be entrusted their cause. Conditioned not refer only to males. She with the vote. Sojourner rose to believe that they were was arrested, summarily and slowly made her way to weaker, less rational, and Carrie found guilty of illegally voting the front amid hissing from unfit for leadership, many Chapman Catt and fined. Thereafter Susan the participants. After being women opposed suffrage, opened her many speeches recognized to speak she stating that their husbands, Carrie Chapman Catt was with the line: “I stand before turned to the audience and fathers and brothers well raised and educated in Iowa you as a convicted criminal.” delivered her now famous represented the public and held the position of “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech. interests of women and Superintendent of Schools Undaunted by their It exemplifies the courage children. Lucy used every in Mason City. She briefly initial failure, she and her and directness of many of speech and publication she moved to California with her colleagues forged a two- the suffragists as well as the wrote to repudiate these husband, but when he died pronged attack; the first double prejudice women of notions in both her words she returned to Iowa and being the slow process of color endured. and actions. eventually married a wealthy persuading all-male state engineer named George legislatures to change Catt. Their marriage allowed their constitutions and her to spend a good part the second through the Lucy Frances of each year on the road cumbersome process Stone Willard campaigning for woman’s of amending the U.S. suffrage, a cause she had Lucy Stone Frances Willard Constitution. become involved in in Iowa worked non- led the nation’s in the late 1880s. Susan, assisted by her stop for over largest women’s suffrage sisters, tirelessly a half a century to advance organization in the 1800s, Over time she became a pursued both courses till the cause of women’s rights. the Woman’s Christian close colleague of Susan B. the end of her life, always When her father refused Temperance Union. At its Anthony, who selected Carrie encouraging her young to help her with college peak, it had over 300,000 to succeed her as head acolytes with her theme expenses, Lucy worked members. By the mid-1870s of the National American “FAILURE IS IMPOSSIBLE.” for nine years as a teacher, she was one of the best- Woman Suffrage Association tutor and shoemaker to known women in the U.S. (NAWSA) (the merger of the save the $70 needed for formerly competing suffrage

14 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars SPECIAL|feature organizations). Carrie led used this opportunity to Dear Son: the movement over the publicly ask “Mr. Wilson, you Hurrah, and vote for next 20 years, struggling Alice Paul say you will make the world suffrage! Don’t keep them against great odds and While women were making safe for democracy. What in doubt. I notice some of many frustrating setbacks. some progress in the areas are you doing for the women the speeches against. They of co-ed education and in America?” A year later were bitter. I have been It was Carrie Chapman employment opportunities President Wilson capitulated watching to see how you Catt who was invited to tea during the years following and admitted in an address stood, but have not noticed at the White House with the Civil War, the period to the Senate “we have made anything yet... Don’t forget President and Mrs. Wilson from 1896 to 1910 came to partners of women in this to be a good boy and help on the afternoon that the be known among suffragists war; shall we admit them only Mrs. Catt …put the “rat” in 19th Amendment was finally as “the doldrums.” Every to a partnership of suffering ratification, Ha! ratified and signed by the state referendum held on and sacrifice and toil and not Secretary of State. With lots of love, Mama the topic of suffrage was to a partnership of privilege defeated. Woman’s suffrage and right?” Still sporting his red was completely ignored as boutonniere signifying his Ida B. Wells an issue in both the House On May 20, 1919, after 26 opposition to ratification and Senate. states passed legislation but clutching his mother’s The story of the struggle for allowing women full letter, Burn said “aye” so women’s suffrage would be Onto this stage stepped suffrage, the House of quickly that it took his fellow incomplete without including Alice Paul, a Quaker and a Representatives approved legislators a few moments some of the racist rhetoric social worker who had gone the 19th Amendment on to register his unexpected and actions that often times to England in 1907 to study June 4, initiating the final response. With that single accompanied the movement. and while there became process of getting 36 states syllable he extended the vote Lucy Stone’s husband, Henry a militant in the British to ratify the amendment in to the women of America, Blackwell, promoted suffrage suffragist movement. In 1910 order for it to become the culminating half a century in Southern states by she returned to the U.S. and law of the entire nation. of tireless campaigning by explaining: “Your four millions joined the NAWSA bringing generations of suffragists. of Southern white women her militant views with her. The next day, Burn defended will counterbalance your She advocated for a change Phoebe his reversal in a speech to millions of Negro men and in focus from a state-by- the assembly. For the first women and thus the political state strategy to a national Ensminger Burn time, he publicly expressed supremacy of your white focus aimed at the party in By the summer of 1920, his personal support of race will remain unchanged.” power and the presidency. universal suffrage, declaring, This difference in focus 35 states had ratified the Ida B. Wells, a journalist, “I believe we had a moral eventually led her to break measure, bringing it one investigated some of the and legal right to ratify.” But with the NAWSA and form vote short of the required most horrific lynching crimes he also made no secret of her own organization. 36. In Tennessee, it was in America. When Ida, an stalled in the House of Miss Febb’s influence—and African American, traveled to She organized a massive Representatives, prompting her crucial role in the story Washington D.C., to march women’s march down thousands of pro- and anti- of women’s rights in the with the Illinois delegation Pennsylvania Avenue in 1913 suffrage activists to descend United States. “I know that in the suffrage parade of the day before Woodrow upon Nashville. After weeks a mother’s advice is always 1913, the group’s leaders Wilson was inaugurated as of intense lobbying and safest for her boy to follow,” asked her to move to the President. In 1917, unhappy debate within the Tennessee he explained, “and my back of the parade with the with the pace of progress, legislature, a motion to mother wanted me to other black women. She the suffragists began a table the amendment was vote for ratification.” ignored these instructions campaign of picketing defeated with a 48-48 tie. and took her place with the the White House, setting The speaker called the white marchers anyway. bonfires on the national measure to a ratification vote. 19TH AMENDMENT Never one to back down, Ida mall and staging hunger Many suffragists packed into organized black women into strikes in protest against the capitol with their yellow SECTION 1. The right of the citizens a political force in Chicago being arrested. Her actions roses, sashes and signs. of the United States to vote shall and, in 1913, led a delegation brought many young women not be denied or abridged by the to successfully lobby the into the movement while That morning, Harry Burn, United States or by any State on state legislature resulting in provoking violent opposition the youngest legislator—who account of sex. the desegregation of public to their cause as well. until that time had stood firmly in the anti-suffrage SECTION 2. transportation and allowing When the U.S. entered WWI Congress shall for interracial marriage. camp—received a note in 1917 women took many from his mother, Phoebe have power to of the positions previously Ensminger Burn, known to enforce this article held by male laborers her family and friends as by appropriate throughout the U.S. Alice Miss Febb. In it, she wrote, legislation.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 15 P.E.O. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Does your chapter have a flowing pipeline of sisters willing to be officers Create a and committee chairmen? Or is the flow of your leadership pipeline more of a trickle?

Wisdom tells us that we enable anything OPPORTUNITY. Engage each member Flowing to flow better when we remove the in service as soon as they enter your obstacles in the way. Various seasons chapter. Working on a committee, of life, family, health and career remain reporting at a meeting and being Pipeline of an ever-changing reality for each P.E.O. responsible for a task right from the member and we do not have control earliest days on her P.E.O. path all prepare over removing these types of obstacles. a sister to be ready to say “YES” when she However, there are key areas where is asked to be an officer or committee Chapter chapters can intentionally smooth out chairman. Give time at a meeting for the path and set up a leadership culture current leaders to share the positive where members actually look forward to gifts and growth opportunities they have Leaders becoming leaders. received from serving in their positions. CLARITY. Set the clear expectation that SUPPORT. Sisters need to see evidence by Debbie Kotecki, Leadership service is a meaningful and expected that officers are not expected to come Development Committee part of membership. Be sure everyone into their jobs already knowing what to understands that we all SHARE the work do, but instead, that they receive ongoing and leadership of our organization. Give training, guidance and assistance easy access to clear responsibilities throughout their term. Refer to your and time commitments for all officer officers as your “Chapter Leadership and committee chairmen positions by Team” to establish that those who agree providing packets with “job” descriptions. to serve are not in it alone. Prune the excess tasks that may have crept into the job descriptions of your APPRECIATION. Recognize chapter leadership positions over time and get leaders’ contributions throughout the back to the actual requirements of the year to let all members know that service office or committee. Allow sisters to in your chapter is appreciated. Show develop personal clarity by setting aside gratitude and celebrate sisters who are time for each to express why she loves positive models of leadership. Recognize being a member of P.E.O. excellence and achievements during gatherings, in newsletters and on P.E.O. social media. These four keys help chapters release obstacles and create a positive leadership culture. Maintaining this culture over time results in chapters with sisters who are prepared and willing to serve. This is the best environment for a strong and ongoing flow of the chapter’s leadership pipeline!

LEADERSHIP TIP Learn how to incorporate a successful system for assistant officers and find other practical ideas in the video “Create a Flowing Pipeline of Chapter Leaders,” found under Leadership Development on the P.E.O. international website. A similar resource called, “Create a Flowing S/P/D Leadership Pipeline” is available in the State/Provincial/District Officers toolbox.

16 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars Meet our State, Provincial District Presidents

New Presidents of State, Provincial and District (S/P/D) Chapters were installed this spring. These leaders will help shape the future of our Sisterhood and have already dedicated years of service to P.E.O. The Record is pleased to share the biographies of the committed women who will serve as your S/P/D Chapter Presidents for the next year. *Presidents from the blue highlighted areas are featured in this issue.

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Ellen Busby Isabelle DuBois Wattles Shari L. Fox British Columbia California Colorado P.E.O. Share the ride! Building a Legacy of Love Knit Together in Sisterly Ellen Busby was introduced to Isabelle Dubois Wattles is a third Love to Promote the P.E.O. Sisterhood when she generation P.E.O. and was initiated Educational Opportunities received a P.E.O. Scholar Award into Chapter UE, Idyllwild, in 1985. (PSA). Shortly after presenting her She was elected to the California Having been initiated into her doctoral research at the British Executive Board in 2000 and served mother/grandmother/aunts and Columbia P.E.O. 2001 Convention, two years, resigning from the board great aunts’ chapter, Shari Fox is a she was invited to become a P.E.O. in 2002 when she married her high third generation P.E.O. She has had sister by Chapter AR, Victoria, school sweetheart and moved to the vision for P.E.O. for many years British Columbia, where she is join him in Washington, D.C. She and as a 1984 graduate of Cottey still a member. Ellen completed transferred to Chapter S, District College, shares this love with sister, her Ph.D. in biochemistry at the of Columbia. She was elected to Jennifer and niece Sarah, also P.E.O.s. University of Victoria (UVic) the D.C. Executive Board in 2006, She has been married for 32 years to in 2002, continued with post- and served as president 2012-13. Jonathan. They have three children doctoral research for a few years and two grandchildren. Her two and now teaches 2nd and 4th year In 2014 Isabelle and her husband daughters are fourth generation microbiology and biochemistry returned to California to spend more P.E.O.s and are a wonderful addition labs at UVic. Over the years, Ellen time with her father, who was living to the Sisterhood. on his own at age 97. She transferred has served in local chapter offices, Shari has been a special education provincial committees, the provincial to Chapter VX, Imperial. In 2019 she was appointed to the California teacher and a DestiNation board and has enjoyed a myriad of ImagiNation team manager. She P.E.O. fundraisers and events. Ellen Executive Board to fill a vacancy in the office of vice president. has served as a volunteer Vacation loves the outdoors and has fun Bible School director and teacher, hiking, camping, gardening and Isabelle has three daughters, all children’s teacher for Bible Study biking with Ian (her BIL of 25 years) P.E.O.s, and six grandchildren ranging Fellowship and children’s director and her two amazing teenage in age from 21 to four. She owned for Community Bible Study. daughters, Abigail and Amelia. and actively managed a production She is passionate about inviting pottery business in Idyllwild for She holds three degrees: A.A. from PSA nominees to join her chapter – over 25 years, and then used her Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri, one way she continues to share management and financial skills as (1984); B.A. in special education from the gift of P.E.O. Ellen is looking finance director of an independent the University of Northern Colorado, forward to the next year of P.E.O. IT sales company based in the D.C. Greeley, Colorado, (1986); M.A. in adventures as president of the area. She retired from full-time special education (UNC-1989). British Columbia board. employment in 2017. Isabelle is A Colorado native, Shari lives in happy to finally have time to travel a very small town and is only 50 with her husband, enjoy yoga, try miles from her hometown of Las to play pickle ball and avoid cooking. Animas, Colorado. She is a member of Chapter AT, Ordway. She enjoys knitting, reading, biking and long walks. The family business is banking and has been in her husband’s family for 100 years.

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Pam Collins Margaret Lliteras Phyllis Howard Connecticut District of Columbia Idaho Love is in the Stars Find Your Star Pose I Hope You Dance Raised in the Indiana Dunes, Pam Margaret Lliteras is a member of Phyllis Howard was born and Collins graduated from the University Chapter Y, Washington, D.C. Before raised in Glenburn, a small town of Michigan with a B.A. in economics joining Chapter Y, Margaret was of approximately 300 residents in in 1979. Upon graduation, she was initiated in 1979 into Chapter H, northern North Dakota. She attended given the gift of P.E.O. when she Boise, Idaho, the chapter of her Glenburn High School, graduating in was initiated into her mother’s mother, grandmother, great aunt 1965. After graduation she moved chapter, CS, Ogden Dunes, Indiana. and sister-in-law. She joined to Minot, North Dakota, where she She earned her M.B.A. from the Chapter Y in 1980, where she has met her future husband, William (Bill). University of Rochester, where served as president, vice president, They were married June 24, 1967, she met her husband, Kevin. They treasurer and recording secretary. 53 wonderful years ago! moved to Chicago, Dallas, L.A. and While president of Chapter Y she finally Connecticut. gave birth to her daughter, Melissa Phyllis and Bill have one son and two Kuyumjian, who became a Chapter Y grandchildren. Son Shawn and his In 1990, she transferred to Chapter sister 18 years later and will graduate wife, Dorothy, reside in Michigan. N, New Canaan, Connecticut. Pam from the University of Maryland Grandson, Shae Purdin, and his helped organize Chapter AC, New a week after her mom becomes spouse, Corrin Himle, live in Utah Canaan, Connecticut, in 1995, president of D.C. P.E.O. At the and granddaughter, Scotti Howard, and became a charter member of state level, Margaret served on the is currently enrolled in a master’s Chapter F-AC, New Canaan, in 2013. Finance and Educational Recognition degree program at Cleveland State Pam has held almost every chapter Award Committees and was University in clinical psychology. office, served on the state A & R Roundtable treasurer. In 1999 she Phyllis was initiated in her mother-in- committee, was convention site was the assistant treasurer for the liaison, general chair of Connecticut law’s chapter, M, Ogden, Utah, in April Convention of International Chapter of 2000. When Dillard’s promoted her State Convention and served in Baltimore. as a delegate to Convention to Idaho Falls in 2003, she transferred of International Chapter. Margaret loves yoga and seeks to Chapter BG, Idaho, where she balance in all aspects of life. She is still a member. She served eight After the birth of their first daughter, is active in the D.C. Metro Delta years as an officer in Chapter BG Kylie, Pam became a full-time Delta Delta alumni chapter, her and served three years on the Idaho parent. When daughter Molly was church and the Interior Department State Projects Committee during its born, the family moved to Westport, Credit Union Board. Margaret retired inception. In 2011, she chaired the Connecticut, where they have from the Federal Government after Idaho State Convention. resided for 25 years. Pam was active 41 years of service working for the Phyllis’s career in retail management on the Westport PTA, Staples Tuition U.S. Senator from Idaho and the Grants (awards need-based college spans 40 plus years, 10 years with Department of the Interior where Bon Marche as a buyer, 12 years with scholarships to Westport high school she was a budget analyst for 34 seniors) and National Charity League. Pykettes as a district manager of years. Margaret is a 1978 graduate stores and 22 years with Dillard’s Pam stays active and enjoys hiking, of Boise State University and enjoys as a sales manager in Utah and the snowshoeing, sailing, kayaking, traveling, gardening and movies in last 12 years as the assistant store Qigong, reading and travel. Pam is her spare time. manager, Dillard’s, Idaho Falls. She thrilled that Molly became a P.E.O. retired in May 2015. in 2019.

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Elisa Wolfe Marti Ramsey Sue Aanes Illinois Indiana Iowa Share the P.E.O. Sunshine Let Your Star Radiate All Light Possible - Inspiring Generations Sparkle and Shine Sue Aanes is the daughter, of Women to Shine Marti Ramsey, a third generation granddaughter and possibly great-granddaughter of P.E.O.s. Elisa Wolfe grew up in Englewood, P.E.O., was initiated in 1971, into her mother’s chapter, AH, Whiting, while Throw in aunts, mother-in-law and Colorado, and earned a Bachelor of daughter to the mix, and it’s easy Science in psychology at Colorado a college student. She transferred to Chapter AQ, Greenwood, shortly to understand her involvement in State University and a Masters in P.E.O. Initiated into Chapter EV, social work from University of Denver. after her graduation from college and is currently a member of Chapter BS, New London, Iowa, in 1978, serving She and her BIL, Randy, met as Franklin. Marti has held many chapter on committees and filling officer very young children in Japan where offices and served on many state positions, she was a delegate to both of their fathers were Air Force chapter committees. A highlight International Convention in Seattle, physicians. Re-united many years later was serving as treasurer for the 2015 until an opportunity to serve at the by a strange coincidence, Elisa and Convention of lnternational Chapter. state level presented itself. She Randy married in 1987, settled in the served as Hostess Chair for the 2007 northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Marti met her husband, Mike, at Iowa State Convention and moved and soon began their family. Her social Purdue University. They are the on to the Membership Committee work career took a back seat to the parents of two P.E.O. daughters, for six years before accepting a most blessed job imaginable, raising Kate and Kari. Frequent trips to nomination for the state board. the couple’s three children—Nicholas, L.A. are needed to visit their three granddaughters and sons-in-law. Sue is a graduate of the University Jessica and Jason. of Iowa, met her pharmacist husband Marrying into the Wolfe family meant Marti has lived in Franklin for 36 years at the university, and after graduation that Elisa was destined to be a P.E.O. where she has been active in Saint moved to New London. Her first job Mother-in-law, Ruth Wolfe, past Thomas Episcopal Church, currently was the secretary at New London president, California State Chapter, serving as treasurer, Tri Kappa and High School, a job that lasted attended Elisa’s initiation into as a member of the choral group 20 years. Not intending to retire, Chapter MO, Lake Zurich, Illinois, in “The Voices.” she became the secretary and jack-of-all trades at the funeral 1995. Elisa’s California sisters-in-law P.E.O has been a part of Marti’s include Bernee Breen Wolfe, NE, San home. Twenty-four years later, life for many years. A prized- she is still working there part-time. Rafael, and Lori Wolfe and daughter, possession is the 1922 receipt for Morgan Wolfe, both of WF, Danville. her grandmother’s local chapter Sue and Steve have two children— Now a member of Chapter NS, dues. Marti has had the honor of Scott, a fireman in West Des Moines Naperville, Elisa had the pleasure of acting as president at the initiations and Sarah, a social worker at initiating her daughter, Jessica into of both her daughters and her niece. University of Iowa Hospitals. NS, and then, the honor of organizing She has four grandchildren, Gavin Now retired after 36 years of (21), Lily (15), Beckett (14), Cooper (10). Chapter ON, Chicago, while serving teaching elementary physical as Illinois organizer. Elisa’s mother, education, Marti enjoys playing Sue enjoys traveling, snorkeling in Virginia Benvenuti and sister, Beth golf, reading and planning their Bonaire and the British Virgin Islands, Asbury are both members of next trip to California. Iowa football and basketball and Colorado Chapter ED, Aurora. spending time with her grandchildren. Travel, reading, hiking and walking the family dachshund, Ollie, are passions Elisa looks forward to restarting when her board service is complete.

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Susan Smith Lana Kington Arleen Mayeux Kansas Kentucky Louisiana P.E.O. The Adventure Seek Growth P.E.O. A Positively of a Lifetime Change Lives Extraordinary Susan Smith was initiated into her Growing up, Lana Kington attended Organization! mother’s chapter, E, Westfield, eight schools in as many years across Arleen Mayeux was born and raised New Jersey, in 1978. She transferred southern Indiana and Illinois. After on a farm in central Texas. She later to Chapter GR, Olathe, Kansas, in settling in Evansville, Indiana, Lana lived in Maryland and Oklahoma, 1981. The next year Susan secured earned a B.S. degree in chemistry following her husband’s career. In consent from her chapter to select a with mathematics and physics 2000 she became a P.E.O., joining charter list for Chapter IN, Olathe, and minors from the University of Chapter M, El Reno, Oklahoma. became IN’s first president. Between Southern Indiana and an M.B.A. She and her husband, Herman, and 1983 and 2007, she transferred to from the University of Evansville. their wiener dog, Roux, now live in Chapter DJ, Dallas, Texas, back to When Lana moved to Michigan, Natchez, Louisiana, and Arleen is in Chapter IN, then to Chapter IC, Chapter AU, Natchitoches. Kansas City, Missouri, and finally back she was welcomed by her soon- to Chapter IN where she is currently to-be P.E.O. sisters who had been Since 2007, Arleen has been an a member. Susan’s mother, daughter, notified by her mother-in-law. active volunteer with the Association two sisters, two nieces and She was initiated into Chapter for the Preservation of Historic sister-in-law are P.E.O.s in Kansas, DF, Holland, Michigan, in 1989 and, Natchitoches. She was a member of California, Colorado and Florida. always up for a challenge, the first the Service League of Natchitoches office she held was president from from 2010-2018 Susan attended Baker University in 1992-94. Lana is now a member of Baldwin City, Kansas, earning a B.A. Chapter W, Madisonville, Kentucky. Arleen’s career history includes in sociology, she also earned her M.A. working as a lab tech for United in counseling from the University After a 34-year career in quality, States Department of Agricultural- of Missouri, Kansas City, Missouri. supply chain and research and Agricultural Research Service Susan met her husband, Kelly, while development, Lana retired from a (USDA-ARS) for more than 10 at Baker. They have two children, global pediatric nutrition company. years, owning her own catering Rachel and Tyler, who both live in In addition to professional and cake baking business and the Kansas City area. organizations, she served as a Girl owning a bed and breakfast. Scout leader, United Way board Susan retired in 2016 after working member and in children’s ministry. Arleen is now enjoying her for 12 years as a paraprofessional retirement and spends her free in a local school district. Prior to Lana has two daughters who are time cooking, gardening, fishing working for the school district she P.E.O. sisters, a son-in-law, a stepson, and anything outdoors. was a stay-at-home mom. Susan three grandsons and a grand dog. has served on the House Corporation She shares her old Kentucky home Board for Lambda Chapter of Delta with a menagerie that includes an Delta Delta since 2010. African Gray parrot who tells her when it’s bedtime. Besides animals, She enjoys reading, family time, Lana enjoys singing with the church exercising and looking for new choir, playing bowed psaltery and adventures to share with family mountain dulcimer, traveling, yoga and friends. and weaving baskets.

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Michelle Paschal Lisa Cooley Kristi Harlan Maryland Michigan Minnesota Blaze a New Trail The Places You’ll Go Spicing Up Our P.E.O. with P.E.O. with P.E.O. Kristi Harlan was born in New Mexico Michelle Paschal’s P.E.O. journey Lisa Cooley was born in Michigan and and raised throughout the western began in 2008 when she was initiated returned to Michigan in retirement. United States. She earned her A.A. into Chapter AE, Salisbury, Maryland. Vivian, her mother, was president from Cottey College and her B.S. Michelle was born and raised in of Chapter AM, Grand Rapids, when from the University of Colorado. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, until a job Lisa became a second generation She was initiated into her mother’s moved her to Maryland in 1985. P.E.O. after graduating from Purdue chapter, HH, Littleton, Colorado, in University in 1979. Vivian cried during 1994. She transferred to Chapter IF, Michelle holds a B.S.B.A. degree the ceremony while Lisa laughed Colorado, in 2001 and then again to from Robert Morris University having when finally learning the meaning of Chapter FP, Shakopee, Minnesota, graduated Magna Cum Laude in P.E.O. Vivian knew that Lisa needed in 2014 where she still enjoys active 1983. Michelle completed her M.B.A. P.E.O. sisters surrounding her as life participation. degree at Salisbury University in 1991. unfolded. Lisa lived in five countries, Kristi is married to Lee Fimmen. Michelle’s career began in finance six states and 17 cities. She has but when an opportunity to work They have three married children, belonged to chapters BR, Lockport, one step-grandchild and six in international sales came along, New York; EG, Cincinnati, Ohio; MP, she jumped at the chance. She is grandchildren, ages one month Los Angeles, California, and currently, to four years. She is especially currently a supply chain manager for EB, Elk Rapids, Michigan. one of the largest food processors delighted that daughter Sarah in the United States. Her family includes Elcie (Springer joined Chapter FP in 2019. Spaniel), Jaci (sister-in-law), Beth Michelle will celebrate her 20th After taking a break from the and Leslie (nieces), aunt/uncle corporate world as a software wedding anniversary in October and cousins. with her husband, Tim, returning development product/project to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Professionally, Lisa earned an M.B.A. manager, Kristi became an active site of their wedding. from the University of Michigan and volunteer. She has raised three was in purchasing at P&G. assistance dog puppies and Michelle, her parents and BIL served on the puppy raiser board have traveled extensively to many Traveling began early in life when for KSDS, INC. She served on the destinations in the U.S. and around Lisa was an AFS exchange student board of Safe Harbor, working the globe. Her love of travel comes to Tatui, Brazil. She has visited all on behalf of survivors of the sex from her parents who travel more 50 states, most of the Canadian trade. She is active in her church than they are home. Michelle and provinces, parts of Asia, Europe, and Newcomers group. Tim are proud owners of a Field Trial South/Central America and Mexico. Champion Labrador and are currently Learnings through these adventures Kristi enjoys being with family and training their new Lab for future are that people and experiences friends and loves the outdoors, competitions. Reading is a daily are forever, relationships are what especially hunting, fishing and activity while gardening and cooking matter, one learns a lot from different hiking. She also enjoys bridge, are used for relaxation. cultures/people and to embrace knitting, reading and traveling. where you are. Other interests involve Stephen Ministry, music, cross-stitching, musicals, entertaining to achieve a house full of laugher, technology and always time with Elcie!

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Mary Eldridge Pauline Carter Phyllis Dvorak Nevada North Carolina North Dakota Let Love Be Your Guide Live Laugh Love Step Out with the Stars Mary Eldridge was born in through P.E.O. to Celebrate P.E.O. Leavenworth, Kansas, and initiated Pauline Carter became a third Phyllis Dvorak grew up in Dickinson, into Chapter AD, joining her great generation P.E.O. when she was North Dakota. In 1994 she and aunt, sister and mother, who initiated as a charter member into her family relocated to Colorado hand-delivered her invitation. Chapter CS, Tucson, Arizona, in 1983. Springs, Colorado. She later moved She transferred to Chapter C Her mother, paternal grandmother, to Topeka, Kansas, where three in Ely, Nevada. aunts and cousins were all initiated special friends invited her to join Mary’s education began at Cottey into Chapter V, Colorado, and her Chapter GJ, Topeka, Kansas, in 2005. College before moving to Nevada. great aunt, Martha Jean Corlett, Phyllis and her husband moved back She worked as a substitute teacher was instrumental in guiding chapter to Bismarck, North Dakota, in 2013 and bus driver before being employed members to save the Great Sand to be closer to their children and at the local Head Start program; Dunes of Colorado in the early 1930s. grandchildren. Her lifelong dear friend asked her to transfer into first as a family services manager, Pauline earned a B.S. in industrial following with 24 years as executive Chapter AJ, Bismarck, North Dakota, engineering and worked for five where she presently is a member. director. During this time Mary years as a manufacturing engineer completed her education at Upper in the defense electronics industry Phyllis graduated from Dickinson Iowa University. After retiring in 2015, in Dallas, Texas, where she met State University in 1990 with a Mary has continued to work as a her husband, Steve. After moving Bachelor of Science in Education. part-time consultant at the federal to South Carolina and then North She received the Outstanding level of Head Start. Carolina, she spent the next 15 years Young Woman award in 1990 While working on the family’s ranch, volunteering in numerous school- from Dickinson State University. Mary and her husband, Dennis, and church-related capacities as Phyllis taught kindergarten in raised two children. Their daughter she and Steve raised two daughters, Dickinson, North Dakota, and is a member of Chapter A, Phoenix, Willow and Dory Ann. Pauline both kindergarten and first grade Arizona, and a P.E.O. Scholar Award returned to full-time work in 2005, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. recipient. working as a teacher’s assistant and While in Topeka, Kansas, she was then as the student registrar, at employed as event coordinator Mary has served on the Nevada a North Carolina public charter for the Capper Foundation and Region IX Head Start Association school until she left in 2016 upon boards, Nevada Welfare Board, being installed as a member of While in North Dakota and Kansas, White Pine Cattlewomen’s the North Carolina State Board. Phyllis volunteered for charitable Association and been a 4-H leader. organizations and community events. Mary is currently volunteering for Pauline has also been a member She served as a board member of Committee Against Child Hunger, of Chapter FA, Plano, Texas, and Dickinson State University Alumni a food backpack program. Chapter D, Spartanburg, South Board, Dickinson, North Dakota, Carolina, and is currently a member Mulvane Art Museum, Topeka, Mary enjoys traveling, needlework of Chapter BR, Davidson, North Kansas and, currently, Creative and puzzles. She looks forward Carolina. She recently experienced Community Options, Bismarck, to book recommendations from the joy of watching her youngest North Dakota. friends. Mary enjoys making daughter, Dory Ann, initiated into toffee from a family recipe for the chapter. Phyllis has been married to her her chapter’s annual fundraiser. husband, Alvin, for 47 years and they have three married children and seven grandchildren. She cherishes her time spent with family.

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Laura Cunningham Firkey Nancy Shelton Katharine Barnes Northeast District Ohio Ontario-Quebec Welcome Home: You’re Dream and Take Flight Untap The Power Going to Love it Here! Nancy Shelton was born and raised of Sisterhood Laura Cunningham Firkey lives in in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Ball Katharine Barnes was given the Essex Junction, Vermont, with State University, Muncie, Indiana, gift of P.E.O. by her mother, Wilma husband, Pete, and daughters where she earned bachelor’s degrees Gummow, initiated into Chapter Emily and Eva. Laura had P.E.O. in speech pathology and audiology M, London-Ontario, in 1989. Born grandmothers and other “sister” and deaf education. She went on to in Toronto, Katharine has lived in aunts and cousins including her teach hearing impaired students for Key West, Florida; Vancouver and aunt Missy and her cousin Kristin five years and worked as a speech Toronto. She settled in London who both served as president of pathologist for four years. and now lives in Komoka with her Connecticut state chapter. Laura Nancy became a member of husband of 35 years, Rick. belongs to Chapter F, Burlington, Chapter AN, Dayton, Ohio, in 1996 Katharine has had many careers Vermont. She serves as secretary and has remained in that chapter in the school counseling office in including banking and nursing. She ever since. She has been a member graduated from Ryerson University the high school from which she, of Junior League for 41 years, served her husband and their daughters in Toronto and became a registered on Women’s Board of Dayton nurse. She returned to Saint graduated. She loves to sing and Children’s Medical Center, chaired play guitar, mostly in church. Lawrence College for her Diploma an opera elementary school program in Occupational Health Nursing and Laura worked for Ben & Jerry’s for and serves as president of a local attained the distinction of Certified about 10 years. She started in the literary club. Occupational Health Nurse (Canada). scoop shops, then worked third Nancy is currently assistant She worked in hospitals and shift in the quality assurance lab manager of an outdoor tennis community health before starting where she had to taste ice cream club and co-owns a home-based her own business teaching small as a part of her job. Rough! Then company with her husband. In her to mid-size employers how to care she coordinated ice cream donations free time she enjoys playing tennis, for their injured workers. Katharine for non-profits all over the country traveling, reading, Sudoku and continues to work part time before leaving the company in 2001 spending time with her family, overseeing the health and safety when her second daughter was born. which includes her husband, three of their employees and managing the finance department. Laura studied French at Mount children and five grandchildren. Holyoke College in Massachusetts. Katharine and Rick’s adult children, Her best college memory is a solo their partners and five grandchildren bike trip around Scotland for two live nearby. They love spending time weeks on a bike she bought in Paris together at their weekend home during her semester abroad. She on the Saint Clair River. Katharine still rides the bike, and when the has always loved to travel, first weather’s good and she has the as a hitchhiker and now in a car, time you’ll likely find her on the road. airplane or on her Harley. She also enjoys scuba diving, hiking, boating and reading.

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Mary Stickney Cassandra Lake Vicki Frea Virginia Washington Wisconsin Bloom and Grow P.E.O…meant to be P.E.O. the Perfect Fit: with P.E.O. A native Washingtonian, Cassandra One Piece at a Time Mary Stickney was born into a Navy Lake was initiated into Chapter HQ, since 1869 family, the youngest of three girls. Kennewick, Washington, in 2006. Her employer (a BIL) suggested that P.E.O. has been a part of Vicki Her sister, a member of Chapter IF, Frea’s life since being initiated into Saint Louis, Missouri, introduced it was “time to join P.E.O.” enabling her to join a daytime chapter. her mother’s chapter, AN, Galesburg, Mary to P.E.O. Mary was initiated Illinois, in 1968. Since then she has into Chapter N, Arlington, Virginia, Cassandra attended the University been a member of four chapters in September 2011. Three days of Puget Sound and the University of and is currently a member of later, she volunteered and worked Washington. Being a “teacher’s kid,” Chapter DI, Brookfield, Wisconsin, alongside Chapter IF sisters at the education has always been a focal which she joined in 1983. Convention of International Chapter point and P.E.O. is the perfect vehicle in Saint Louis. Seeing the impact to affect the education of others. Sister Stephanie Jenkins is a past P.E.O. makes at the international president of Arkansas State Chapter; level rooted Mary’s passion for From the rainy and wet west side of sister Tina Knief-Wynn is a member our P.E.O. Sisterhood. Washington, Cassandra relocated of Chapter AB, Santa Anna, California; to the high desert in Eastern and niece Judy Jenkins is also a Mary is an ardent supporter Washington and settled into her P.E.O. and a past Scholar Award of Cottey College and regular life’s occupation in the accounting recipient; mother Betty Gunther Vacation College attendee. Visiting field. She has been employed as was a 50-plus-year member and the College strengthens her the controller for a privately-owned is now in Chapter Eternal. confidence in its value to young business in Kennewick for the past women and her respect for its 31 years. During her tenure, she has Since graduating from Illinois amazing, dedicated faculty. been given the opportunity to learn Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, with a degree in nursing and Mary received her undergraduate more about servant leadership and to be involved in community service. completing her graduate degree from degree from Texas Christian the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, University and her M.P.A. from Golden Cassandra and her husband, Jim, she has taught nursing and practiced Gate University. She had a rewarding married in 1980 and share two grown for over 40 years, specializing in career at the Administrative Office of children, JoAnna and Scott as well pediatrics, medical surgical and the U.S. Courts, where she managed as two beautiful daughters-in-law. hospice and palliative care until the Federal Judiciary’s Electronic Their Havanese, Lucy, has been her she retired in 2010. Public Access Program and served constant companion during her as the Associate Director of the Case board service. She enjoys sewing/ Time is cherished with her husband Management/Electronic Case Files quilting and knitting and is looking of 42 years, Ron, and their son Rob! system, which facilitates the remote forward to spending time learning Outside of P.E.O. she has enjoyed access to court electronic records to weave on the looms she and her serving as a Stephen Minister; being for litigants and the general public. best friend gifted each other several a Bible Study Fellowship leader for years ago. adults and children over the past Mary is married to Tom Stickney, has eight years and loves to fish, read, one son, Michael, and two Labs – Joy cook and work jigsaw puzzles. and Carter. Mary is an avid traveler and loves to read, to golf and to sit on the shore of Conesus Lake, New York.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 25 P.E.O. EDUCATIONAL LOAN FUND|ELF

Wood Sculptor Annie Meyer Pursues New Creative Heights ELF Loan Helps Fund her MFA by Laurel Andrew, P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund Board of Trustees

rom an early age, Annie Meyer preferred art, Cranbrook was the perfect choice for Annie. painting and “creative, outdoorsy things” According to the Cranbrook website, “the to other childhood activities. It wasn’t until 3D Design department is an experimental high school that Annie realized art could be laboratory to explore human needs as more than a hobby and that she could have expressed in the furniture and products a fulfilling career doing what she loved as a we live with.” professional artist. Annie’s Cranbrook credential will give her At Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the platform to open the door to women Boston, Annie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts who seek to enter the field of woodworking. in industrial design, a degree geared toward She says, “one of my career objectives is to production and manufacturing. She also took push myself forward in the historically male- courses in woodworking at the North Bennet dominated field of product design, working Street School in Boston. Part-way through toward breaking down barriers to entry and college, woodworking “clicked,” and Annie shaping the field into a more inclusive space knew she had found her artistic calling. for future generations to take part in.”

SHE SAYS, “one of my career objectives is to push myself forward in the historically male-dominated field of product design, working toward breaking down barriers to entry and shaping the field into a more inclusive space for future generations to take part in.”

Annie says her degree After college, Annie was an active designer, Ultimately, Annie plans to return to the in 3-D design will help furniture maker and educator. She ran her own classroom. With her MFA degree in hand, her “balance a creative business designing and building custom pieces Annie intends to seek a professorship in art and life full of fine art, design and teaching.” and showed her work in museums and galleries design so she can “work with undergraduate across New England. As an adjunct faculty students as they begin to understand the Photos courtesy of member at MassArt, Annie taught courses power they have to shape culture with properly anniemeyerstudio.com in furniture design and taught woodworking honed design skills.” Annie will also lead her courses and workshops at The Eliot School students by example and produce her own of Fine and Applied Arts, Haystack Mountain design objects, seeking gallery representation School of Crafts and the Fuller Craft museum. for the fine art objects she creates and manufacturers for the production objects she In 2019, Annie decided to pursue a master’s designs. As Chapter F stated in their support degree in 3-D design. Though Annie received of Annie’s ELF application, “Given all that Annie a scholarship for her studies in the Master of has accomplished with her current degree, an Fine Art program at the Cranbrook Academy MFA in 3-D design will equip her to rise to new of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, she needed heights in both teaching and creativity.” additional financial resources to cover her expenses. With the support of her mother’s The world will surely see more of Annie’s work P.E.O. chapter, F, Damariscotta, Maine, Annie in museums, galleries and stores in the future as applied for and received a loan from the P.E.O. she hones her skills in design and woodworking Educational Loan Fund (ELF). and shares her love of sculpting objects out of wood with her students.

26 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars COTTEY COLLEGE Cottey and COVID-19 by Dr. Jann Weitzel, President, Cottey College

Have you ever had What did this pandemic mean for And of course, recruitment for the the College? fall 2020 class continued. At the time that conversation… The first step was to address the of this report, deposited students ”Where were you educational needs of our students. for August were ahead of those for Faculty jumped right into re-designing fall 2019. when… happened”? their courses to be taught virtually, What else? Meetings across I remember being in either through online structures, campus were held online, including Zoom, use of videos for science labs the planning of Cottey’s first virtual music class when our and dance classes and/or by the use commencement! principal announced of one-on-one virtual sessions, such Cottey, like most other colleges, that JFK had been shot; as with music lessons. created plans to reimburse room and It became necessary to send students board for displaced students for half sitting at my friend educational materials left in their of the spring term. We also worked Kathy’s house when rooms. Based on instructions provided to create plans to distribute federal by students, Cottey staff boxed up and stimulus dollars to current students, Neil Armstrong took his mailed to them books, notes, projects, according to federal compliance first steps on the moon; etc. needed to complete their courses. regulations. Academic staff set up online tutoring And we began to look forward to and huddling with a and writing center options for students. life after the pandemic. Work on group of students in a Library personnel expanded their Cottey’s stock trading lab and esports online materials and were available arena as well as a redesign of the main Humanities tutoring lab virtually to assist students and faculty. floor of the library, all made possible anxiously listening to the Counseling staff reached out to clients through the generosity of our amazing to either continue sessions online or P.E.O.s, is moving forward. Fundraising special news reports to establish alternative options. Plans for the chapel/student center continued, on September 11, 2001. were made to present senior capstone allowing us to “move dirt” in July in presentations via Zoom. order to celebrate the grand opening In the same way, I imagine that Additionally, while most students in March 2021. many will look back and ask “How continued their terms from home, Please know how much the many were you affected by the coronavirus?” Cottey offered residence to 28 students cards, calls and emails asking about When Cottey students left with a who were either unable to return to Cottey and our students meant to all single suitcase of personal items for their homes or who did not have the of us… including the boxes of fudge spring break on March 6, little did any necessary technology at home to from Alaska that were shared with of us know that, mid-break, it would successfully complete their courses. our on-campus students. Your loving become necessary to inform them Thus, dining services, security and concern and continued gifts to the that based on the current status of housekeeping continued serving Student Aid Emergency Fund and COVID-19, they would be completing students on campus. the chapel/student center initiative their courses through alternative Although campus became mean so much. Through this uncharted methods. Students who were studying eerily quiet, all offices continued time, P.E.O. and Cottey are together abroad were encouraged to return to in operation. Most faculty and staff creating incredible futures! the United States, and international worked from home; however, office students anxiously listened to world personnel were available to answer news reports for updates on their mail, process gifts, etc. homes and families.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 27 P.E.O. INTERNATIONAL PEACE SCHOLARSHIP FUND|IPS The IPS Global of IPS Recipient by Barbara Olson, Chairman, P.E.O. International Peace Hollie ConnectionsScholarship Fund Kim Do you remember your first trip on an airplane? Did you pull out the airline’s IN SEARCH OF FAMILY magazine and look in wonder at the map of the world and all the lines SUPPORT, OR PERHAPS connecting the globe through travel? With the recent global outbreak of SAFER CONDITIONS, COVID-19, the maps we’re seeing now show red lines indicating how this virus some IPS students chose managed to travel silently around the world, infecting so many and testing to return home to their each country’s resolve. If ever there was any doubt of our global connections families. But returning home was not without and inter-dependence on each other, this is no longer a question. We are its own challenges. globally intertwined in ways that many had not even realized. Hollie Kim from South Imagine now, those same red lines replaced with blue, representing the impact that the Korea is a master’s P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund (IPS) has had in our 71-year history. P.E.O.s student at the University in the United States and Canada have supported 6,270 women from 178 countries with of Pennsylvania. Amid financial support totaling nearly $40 million. Additionally, the emotional support provided concerns of increased to IPS students continues to be just as important as the financial piece. Now, more than COVID-19 infections in the ever, our students need that support as they deal with this crisis so far from their homes. U.S. and rising concerns Thank you to all the P.E.O. sisters and chapters who have provided encouragement to IPS over a ban on international students who may be the only students left on campus, and to those who have returned travel, Hollie decided to home, worried about the safety of their families while continuing their studies remotely. join her family living in Northern Albania, where Each class of IPS students shows a remarkable range of talents and interests with the COVID-19 infections were desire to improve the educational rights and opportunities for women while focusing on low. Despite challenges specific areas of post-graduate study. Students continue to impress with areas of study with spotty internet service, in business, conflict resolution, education, economic and environmental development, she has been teaching and epidemiology, engineering, health care, international development, journalism, law, taking classes online. She psychology, public administration, sociology, technology, arts and sciences. Student graduated in May with a involvement in cutting-edge research has the potential to bring power to remote areas master’s in educational of the world through mini solar-grids, to improve food security through enhanced genetics linguistics. Hollie shares, in protein-dense crops and to improve the seismic integrity of buildings using locally- “I am really sad that there sourced materials, just to name a few of their projects. Something as simple as providing will not be a graduation reusable sanitary pads which allow girls to continue their studies uninterrupted or finding ceremony on campus. ways for women to become self-sufficient through training and micro-loans have I plan on coming back to tremendous potential to improve the future for many. the U.S. soon to pack … As the world struggles to find a “new normal” during the COVID-19 pandemic, one envisions and prepare to fly to China our IPS blue lines of connectedness ballooning into circles of influence globally; all while for a teaching position at Fostering Peace Through Education. an international school.”

28 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars P.E.O. PROGRAM FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION|PCE Building a Legacy of Brighter Tomorrows through PCE by Debbie Nielsen Dumler, P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education Board of Trustees

ompleting the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Members of Chapter F, Education (PCE) online recommendation is Bismarck, North Dakota, make a point to form long-lasting not the final step in the application process relationships with the women for Chapter F, Bismarck, North Dakota. It is they recommend for PCE grants. the beginning of a long relationship with women seeking a brighter tomorrow. Thanks to the outstanding were efforts of PCE chairman, Gerrie Hase, 20 women have apparent. Hearing received grants since 2005. She reaches out to each the excitement in her voice when student during the application process, as they progress she called me to tell me I was awarded the grant through school and maintains contact with the recipients and celebrating with Gerrie and the wonderful women of the today. Georgia, an RN clinical educator, said, “Gerrie chapter are memories I will always cherish. With the grant and was my contact for P.E.O. She has been very supportive Gerrie’s support, I was able to successfully complete my degree, and helpful throughout. She has taken me to a P.E.O. while being the sole provider for my family.” Since graduating, dinner. I really enjoy meeting everyone and finding out Brittney went on to work with homeless, runaway, trafficked and more about P.E.O.” It is the sincere hope of Chapter F at-risk youth and their families. that some of the former and current PCE recipients will Gerrie’s enthusiasm for PCE has spread throughout Chapter F. someday soon join P.E.O. as members. Two past presidents commented, “As our chapter has grown, it “As our chapter has grown, it seems that there is an even stronger attitude from the newer and younger members. They belong to P.E.O. because we support women’s education...our recipients’ stories are so poignant, their need so great, that we as P.E.O.s, feel good about our organization that makes this possible.”

Gerrie finds qualified PCE applicants from all walks seems that there is an even stronger attitude from the newer and of life. She contacts the admission counselors at the younger members. They belong to P.E.O. because we support local college, goes to local outreach organizations women’s education...our recipients’ stories are so poignant, such as Head Start, drug and alcohol rehab centers their need so great, that we as P.E.O.s, feel good about our and women’s shelters and she relies on her friends, organization that makes this possible.” Another wrote, neighbors, local churches and her P.E.O. sisters for “It has helped to solidify our P.E.O. mission of promoting recommendations. educational opportunities for women. Our chapter has a Once the grant has been awarded, Gerrie’s love stronger connection to the PCE project than any other because for PCE and the student shines. She hosts a coffee we feel it helps women at a very challenging time in their lives.” party for each recipient where the chapter president Gerrie’s legacy will continue for many years. Chapter F has presents the check. Once a month she offers words sponsored a respiratory therapist, a medical technologist, eight of encouragement with calls and notes. Yearly, she teachers, seven nurses and three social workers. Melissa, who takes the recipients to lunch. And, of course, she is now pursuing a master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner presents reports about the recipient’s progress to wrote, “My success and achievements all started with the Chapter F at each meeting. support of Gerrie and the Chapter F. Their generous financial After the graduation Gerrie continues the lunches, support towards my higher education allowed me to concentrate emails, texts and prayers. She invites past recipients to on what is essential for me and my family. It allowed me to be chapter socials. Gerrie accomplishes all of this through one step closer to my goals and has inspired me to help others her own generosity. Brittney, a licensed social worker, by giving back. Thank you for all your organization does and said “Gerrie’s kind heart and passion to help others your influential presence in women’s lives.”

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 29 P.E.O. SCHOLAR AWARDS|PSA ALL A-TWITTER for the P.E.O. Scholar Award! by Rebecca Daniel, P.E.O. Scholar Awards Board of Trustees Spring traditionally brings the sound of birds singing their joy in trees and across the sky, but in the technological world of social media another joyful spring sound is that of P.E.O. Scholar Award (PSA) recipients all “a-Twitter” in celebration of this financial boost for their doctoral education. Listen below to the sounds of joy shared over the past few months:

From the University of Sophia Mavroudas Across the border, Arkansas (UARK) we (anthropology) “won a Canadians also are tweeting hear congratulations to @PEOSisterhood Award that with joy. At Carleton Hillary Fischer, president recognizes and encourages University in Ottawa: “PhD of the UARK Entomology academic excellence and Student wins prestigious Club: “This award is the achievement by women in award. Andrea Reid, who result of Hillary’s strong doctoral-level programs. is taking a scientific and initiative, follow-through Mavroudas is the first Texas indigenous knowledge and creativity,” says her State University recipient approach to studying Pacific professor, and the Club Takara of a P.E.O. Scholar Award!” salmon, has been awarded Stanley tweets: “Many more are a P.E.O. Scholar Award.” bragging on our amazing And east to Boston president for her recent University School of And on the eastern side of P.E.O. Scholar Award.” Public Health: “Congrats Canada: “Congratulations to @BUSPH EPI doc student to University of Toronto @Takara Stanley for her Scarborough PhD student P.E.O. award. A true scholar Megan Sheremata! She she is!” won a P.E.O. Scholar Award for her research on #Inuit Allison Gilmour, now at knowledge of environmental Temple University, was Sophia change.” Megan adds: Hillary Mavroudas Fischer a 2016 Scholar who now “I am so honoured to recommends this award receive such recognition to others: “Are you a Stephanie Dudzinski and support, particularly Moving north we hear two woman within two years at Vanderbilt University from an organization that congratulatory tweets of completing your doctoral celebrates the select has committed itself to from the University of degree? Apply to the company in which this the pursuit of the ideal Minnesota: “PhD candidate P.E.O. Scholar Award. This award places her: “I’m of women helping women Lana Peterson receives award helped decrease my incredibly grateful for to succeed.” competitive P.E.O. Scholar financial stress during the this blessed week! It’s an Award” and from the other transition from student to honor to be named a P.E.O. And gratitude for that award recipient herself (Brie M. faculty member—you can Scholar and follow in the is not a fleeting thing. Note Reid): “Grateful to receive also use it to fund research.” footsteps of some amazing this tweet as evidence of a Scholar Award from the mentors @KimrynRathmell the long-term effect of P.E.O. Sisterhood this week From University of and friends @ACSunsrmann being a Scholar. Anna Stirr: to support my dissertation Arizona Carson Scholars: @LillianJJuttuck “@PEOSisterhood I just research next year. PSA “Congratulations to ’17 @Vanderbilt MSTP.” wanted to say thank you for to women #PhD students, @UACarson scholar Tamee the 2007-8 P.E.O. Scholar I highly recommend Albrecht for being selected Award that helped me do looking into this award for a @PEOSisterhood the research for my book, and connecting with Scholar Award! P.E.O. Singing Across Divides. The your local chapter!” Scholar Awards are book just won the Bernard competitive, substantial S. Cohn prize for first books merit-based awards for on South Asia.” women in the US/Canada pursuing doctoral programs. Way to go, Tamee!” IF YOU OR YOUR CHAPTER KNOW A RECIPIENT, SPREAD THE WORD: P.E.O.s are all “a-Twitter” for our remarkable scholars!

30 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars STAR SCHOLARSHIP|STAR

Helping Your Student Reach for the STARs by Janet Miller Steury, Jayme Resnik and Sheri Bailey, P.E.O. STAR Scholarship Board of Trustees Each year over 2,000 students apply to be considered for a STAR Scholarship. The STAR Trustees read each application carefully and look for well written answers to the many questions on the online form. The chapter needs to work with the student to make sure that she understands the importance of each section. The STAR information on the website includes frequently asked questions written for both the student and the chapter. One of the most important things to remember: Family members should neither write a recommendation nor the chapter portion of the application! The old adage “be prepared” is true in this process. The STAR Trustees want to share some recommendations for your student and for your chapter. Please discuss and share!

FOR YOUR STUDENT: FOR THE CHAPTER AND THE STUDENT: FOR THE CHAPTER AND THE STUDENT: Tips on choosing “I Wish You Make the those to be reference Could Meet Her.” 30 days count! writers for you. The essay is how the STAR By sharing the website information Trustees “meet” your STAR with your applicant and giving her The references selected should candidate. Spelling and grammar enough time to prepare for the know you very well and project who provide that all-important first process, her chance for success is you are in real life—your character, impression. The content of the much greater. Advance preparation your talents, your promise for the essay is like an interview…Does she should include making lists of future. Encourage references to answer the question with confidence? leadership experience, community personalize their thoughts rather Does her personality come through? service hours, extra-curricular than simply cut and paste a college Does she expand on information activities and honors and awards. recommendation. Choose someone provided in the other areas of her Waiting until the last minute of the who has been a cheerleader for you application, or simply repeat what last day to complete this application in the past. Select two people who has already been stated? She is is not advisable. It is also important can sing your praises and tell of any given 700 words to promote herself for the student to know what time challenges that you have overcome. and the sponsoring chapter can it is at her home when it is Make sure that your recommenders help her with that self-promotion. 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time! Because understand your application deadline. Help her prepare for the “interview the application is done completely Contact them in advance of your with the STAR Trustees” by offering online, the student needs to allow 30-day window so that they will to proofread her essay. When you plenty of time to avoid last minute have the time to thoughtfully write met your STAR candidate, you saw computer issues. Sadly, a missed on your behalf. Rushing through something special. A well-written deadline is a missed chance their responses to the text box and engaging essay can separate to be considered. questions will not give the trustees an application from the more than a complete picture of your abilities. 2,000 applications that are read. STAR trustees look forward to “meeting” your candidate through her well-written essay. the NEW application submission dates are August 15 – October 15, 2020! You never get a second chance to make a f irst impression

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 31 P.E.O. FOUNDATION

2 Funds…1 Purpose Philanthropy Through

the P.E.O. Foundation Have you wondered by Nicole Berner, P.E.O. who sets up a fund in Foundation Board of Trustees the P.E.O. Foundation? What prompts them to do so? Let us share this story with you for a peek into one sister’s motivations. Remember, YOU are a philanthropist! In 2009, Marcia McNelley went to International Convention in San Diego. There she had a conversation with a fellow P.E.O. who discussed the P.E.O. Foundation. Armed with some basic knowledge, Marcia went back to Chapter UV, Poway, California, and the discussion started about establishing their own fund in the P.E.O. Foundation. They thought it would afford permanent support for their choice projects, Cottey College and the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, well into the future and would supplement their annual giving. Chapter UV set up a Transfer Fund in the P.E.O. Foundation Marcia in 2010, with the earnings automatically transferred McNelley and her to these two projects annually. husband, Michael, formed the McNelley In 2013, Marcia thought back on setting up the chapter fund Music Scholarship in and how easy the process was. With that in mind, Marcia and her the P.E.O. Foundation husband, Michael, decided to form their own scholarship in the P.E.O. Foundation, the McNelley Music Scholarship. The couple put conditions on their scholarship to align with the things about which they were passionate. Their son, a graduate of Indiana University, was a music educator and the couple realized that this is one of the first things removed from a school system during budget cuts. So, they geared the scholarship to full-time students majoring in instrumental or choral music. Marcia also thought back to her education at the Michigan State University and wanted to help future generations within that conference. Therefore, the recipient also is required to be a student attending a Big Ten Conference university. Although this fund was established in 2013, the couple continues to fund it. They are looking at options to direct transfer some IRA money into the scholarship fund, and their estate plan also has a provision for the fund. Two very different funds with the same purpose: to help educate future generations to come. Chapter UV, California, and Marcia and Michael McNelley are realizing their missions of philanthropy through P.E.O. and the P.E.O. Foundation.

32 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars NEW |chapters

KA OO

BT AP

Chapter KA Chapter BT Chapter OO Chapter AP Olathe, Kansas Cumming, Georgia Frankfort, Illinois Mesquite, Nevada

ORGANIZED: ORGANIZED: ORGANIZED: ORGANIZED: May 4, 2019 February 23, 2020 March 7, 2020 March 14, 2020 First row, from the left: First row, from the left: First row, from the left: First row, from the left: Julie Byrne, Sue Sager, Jane Vanderhorst, Cathy Ann Podoba, Virginia (Ginny) Karen Sonnenberg, Brooke Burkett, Rebekah Matson, Sheryl Morriss, Griffin, Alicia Tocwish, Susie Barbara Russell, Carol Groebe, Diane Kron, Karen Willis, Babs Bohrer Jasurda, Autumn Faris, Livingston, MeLisa Garcia, Christa Morrison, Leutz, Carol Johnson, Sarah Spearing, Anu Prising, Nancy Henrichsen, Stephanie Nicholson Barbara Jones Angie Mistina Stephanie Ellis, Sharon Blackmore, Linda Reid Second row: Sarah Johnson, Second row: Jan Van Keuren, Second row: Gretchen Trina Gibson, Toni Johnson, Barbara Springer, Jeanie T. Groen, Kristine Bonebreak, Second row: Cindy Howa, Barbara McCall Jones, Myralyn Hartsfield, Susan Lynch, Mary Schade, Sydney Rimpau, Sharon Mary A. Morris, Bettie Fore, Beth Darin, Lynne Lamparski, Turano, Marilyn Fruit, Sue Third row: Deanna Campbell, Anne Williams, Jan Norman Elizabeth (Betsy) Youdris, Compton, Karen English, Janet Roush, Lisa Miller, Ramelle Sarna, Carol Vollrath Kendra Kirkpatrick, Sandra Darcy Morrison Third row: Merle Lutes Rose, Dale Graham Rinehart, Rebekah Hitch, Fourth row: Cindy Stout, Dee Beckstrom, Carly Elizabeth MacDonald, Fenster, Marilyn Kruszka Laura Sengchan

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 33 CENTENNIAL |chapters

Chapter BF Springfield, Illinois Chapter AR Pauls Valley, Oklahoma ORGANIZED: January 24, 1920 ORGANIZED: March 11, 1920 CELEBRATED: January 23, 2020 CELEBRATED: March 8, 2020 First row, from the left: Peggy Friel, Charlotte Manfredo, First row, from the left: Kathleen Carlton, Ann Ruster, Beverly Collins, Ann Steer, Sydney Kling, Judy Marcy, Jeri Erin Babcock, Bonnie Meisel, Mary Ann Agee, Cathy Agee, Wright, Shirley Stoldt, Clemilee Patterson, Pam Larson, Candace Blalock, Suzanne Blake Second row: Cindy Lynne Cleverdon Second row: Malinda Craig, Barbara Standridge, Donna Vaughn, Valerie Beck, Barbara Beckham, Hennessy, Karen Barber, Nancy Hoemann, Cathy Cragoe, Susan Jones, Shea Thompson, Jennifer Sanford, Helen Mary Jo Bangert, Harriet Steahly, Sally Borcherding, Marty Watts, Simon Hart, Connie Upton, Donna Looney Milligan, Sue Scaife, Marlene Winters

Connect with P.E.O. International ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook Twitter PEO International @PEOSisterhood

Instagram LinkedIn International Chapter @peointernational of the P.E.O. Sisterhood

34 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars MEMBERSHIP

WE HAVE ALL HAD OUR LIVES Many of us are spending more time non-P.E.O.s who might be interested TURNED UPSIDE DOWN DURING on our computers because of this social in membership and those who have THIS TIME OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING distancing. Consider using this time accepted your invitation to membership AND NO IN-PERSON MEETINGS. to get acquainted with some of the but haven’t had a chance to be initiated More than ever we need to keep our resources available to you in the Local yet. Reaching out to your inactive Sisterhood connection strong and Chapter Membership Toolbox on the members during this time is a great active to provide help and support International website at members. way to show the loving concern of our to every one of our sisters. peointernational.org/membership. Sisterhood and might even lead them As with any adverse situation, we One resource that would be to reinstate their membership. need to look for the positives—they especially useful now is “How to Another useful resource found on are ALWAYS there if you look hard Develop Small Interest Groups.” This the International website is the Hot enough. You know, turn lemons into resource will show you how to set up Spot. This monthly newsletter is full lemonade. This unusual situation these small groups, and it can be done of ideas on how to make connections provides an opportunity to connect through email and Zoom or Skype. with your chapter sisters and build with your sisters in ways you may not Here are some ideas, and you may your relationships. It’s very important have thought of before. have even better ones of your own. not to lose that very important aspect Reach out to your nonparticipating of P.E.O. during our time apart. members in a new way. Consider • Book club – share ideas about books When you have time, take a those who haven’t been able to attend to read, then come together with a look around the red Local Chapter because of health issues, family virtual meeting to discuss them. Membership Toolbox and see what obligations or other issues. Now is a • Scrapbooking, stamping, crafts other resources might be helpful to perfect opportunity to engage each of or handmade greeting cards – your chapter. It is essential that we them in a virtual get-together with your share your creativity and show the keep our chapters strong during this chapter. Here are some ways to do that: results in a virtual get-together. period of no face-to-face meetings and stay connected to our sisters. • Set up a virtual get-together • Play Scrabble, Yahtzee or other We must be intentional about making through Zoom or Skype. Make games using video technology. sure every one of our sisters knows sure every member is contacted by email or a phone call to see what Invite potential members and she is a Very Important P.E.O. and by day and time is best for this meeting. friends to your small interest groups. doing so we can have an even stronger It doesn’t necessarily need to be at Consider having a virtual get- bond when we are able to meet again your regular meeting time. together using “Know Your Core face to face. Why.” This is another resource in the • If everyone cannot participate at Local Chapter Membership Toolbox. the same time, set up more than Take turns sharing why P.E.O. is an one get-together to accommodate important part of your life. Knowing different schedules. You might end up discovering that your chapter the “why” of your sisters will deepen would have better attendance if you your relationship with them. had different meeting days and times. Make an extra effort to set up virtual get-togethers that meet the • Be sure to include your nonresident needs and interests of your chapter. members in these get-togethers, And remember, since there will be as well as inactive and prospective no business conducted, all members. of these socials can include STAYING CONNECTED No Matter What by Jan Loftin, Chairman, International Membership Committee

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 35 AWARD -WINNING |ideas

Normally Award Winning Ideas is where we showcase successful fundraisers, community outreach projects, fun social meetings or interesting program ideas. As we are all doing our part by staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19 and following the guidelines from International Chapter that no in-person P.E.O. gatherings are to be held prior to August 1, 2020, sisters are finding other ways to stay in touch and connect. We’re happy to use this space to Even though P.E.O. gatherings are suspended due to COVID-19, Chapter EQ, Hudson, Wisconsin, delivered showcase some of the various ways P.E.O.s have a P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) grant found to keep the spirit of loving concern for award to recipient Paula Richard. PCE chair Jeanne Green, delivered Paula’s check in this unique manner, one another alive during this difficult time. while observing rules of physical distancing.

Whittier California Reciprocity recently held their first Zoom meeting. President of Whittier Reciprocity Ginny Ball, IR, Whittier, worked with each representative for the week before and practiced— most had never done a Zoom meeting before. It was a great way to connect with one another.

The 2019-2020 South Carolina Susan Klusmann, HI, Austin, Texas, has been home taking care of her husband as he State Board recovers from hip replacement surgery and battles other health issues. Not wanting to connected on risk bringing any germs home to him, she has remained home-bound as well. Members of a Zoom call and Chapter HI gathered outside Susan’s home with signs and this message of love. Chapter posed with their member Jane Dewane, says, “Being a part of P.E.O. has never meant more to all of us. I’ve colorful umbrellas. heard it expressed over and over.”

36 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars AWARD-WINNING|ideas Staying connected to others in the community is important to Chapter EZ, Anita, Iowa. The Kay Stork activities director at the local skilled care facility reached out to P.E.O. member Jody Rudolph to see if she Cheryl had any ideas how to McCaskey cheer up the residents. Jody Many of them have had Rudolph to stay in their rooms Julie Pollock during the COVID-19 crisis. Jody reached out to members of her chapter for help. Using recycled wood, five ladies decorated signs to place outside the residents’ windows. What a great way to brighten their day! Beverly Johnson

Sisters from Chapter DU, Lake Oswego, Oregon, used Zoom to meet and model masks made by chapter member Kathy Chase.

these pictures, along with instructions for how to play a guessing game of “Who’s That Masked Sister?” It even came with Chapter R, Austin, Texas, has a slide show set to the found fun and creative ways to song “We Are Family” by stay connected. Sister Nikki Sister Sledge. Other fun Faulkner invited members to activities that the chapter send her pictures of themselves has done “together” are Officers of Chapter Y, Sheridan, Arkansas, in protective face masks. A few online yoga classes and shared this special message with their sisters. weeks later, everyone received birdwatching apps.

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 37 Where at h me is The Record?

Chapter AW, Deer Park, WA

Chapter EM, Scottsdale, AZ

Sylvia Dilgard, TM, Woodland, CA

Show us where you’re been reading the latest issue of The P.E.O. Record! Snap some pics and send them in—you could be featured in a future issue of the magazine. Visit our Facebook page to see a gallery of more submissions. Send photos to [email protected]. Chapter QT, Laguna Niguel, CA

Past Presidents, Alabama State Chapter Nancy McFeters, Marilyn Mancini, Karla Gniadek, and Pat Franklin 38 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars Where at h me is The Record?

Sherrill Helzer, AU; Jane Iddings, M, and Judy Bannister, AU, in Torrington, WY Callie Clow, EU, Allerton, IA

Jessica Murphy, AV, Kansas City, Cindi Hanayik, BF, MO, working Richmond, VA at the Kansas City Zoo

Kathy Ravenhorst, G, Brandon, MS, hiking Jennifer the Natchez Trace Barnett and Patti McLean, CG, Burnsville, NC

Past State President Hazel Townsend, G, Brandon, MS WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 39 P.E.O. |authors Christine Stevens Mills Mary Dierker Thelma Giomi Christine Stevens Mary Dierker, KS, Thelma Giomi, V, Mills, AH, North Myrtle Peoria, Illinois, wrote Albuquerque, New Beach, South Carolina, “These Hands of Mine: Mexico, wrote “Shatter wrote “Two Thumbs Reflections of a Retired My Heart,” the story of Up: Understanding and Sugar Peddler on Life four unique and gifted Treatment of Thumb Fulfilled.” The book individuals who find that Sucking,” taking an in-depth look features Mary’s experiences as a to live fully they must be willing to be at the complexity of thumb sucking, retired sugar peddler (aka professional wounded by life’s blessings. Surviving complications and ramifications related baker) evolved from a thriving life’s most daunting ordeals, they find to the oro-facial structures and beyond. restaurateur and community advocate that these events break their hearts, “Two Thumbs Up” provides information to a midlife athlete, certified health leaving them able to become the on the complexity of thumb sucking coach, local food advocate and yoga heroes of their own lives. and guidelines and guidance to achieve instructor on her esoteric quest to Thelma lives with chronic illness. successful thumb sucking elimination. experience life with fulfillment. Each In spite of her physical limitations Christine began her professional chapter includes a recipe, along and never being able to write on a career opening a private practice with baking tips, from the author’s schedule, she remained creative to devoted exclusively to the treatment professional baking experience. complete the book. She hopes the of orofacial myofunctional disorders Chapter themes connect to a story she tells conveys the struggles (OMD). She expanded her expertise to correlating recipe for the reader to of having an invisible illness and its include teaching an OMD course at the gain an understanding of personal impact on individuals, their families University of Detroit Mercy orthodontic meaning found in a loving relationship and friends. department for 18 years and later with food. In addition, each chapter Thelma grew up in Albuquerque teaching a COM® (Certified Orofacial lists reflection exercises for the reader and has been a P.E.O since 2016. As a Myologist) Certification Track Course. to further personal exploration for therapist and caregiver, and someone Christine joined her mother’s P.E.O. living fulfilled. Each chapter is living with chronic illness herself, her Chapter, CK, Birmingham, Michigan, anecdotal using personal relationships particular passion is helping people in 1973. She retired her private practice with food, nature and shared with chronic illness. four years ago, moving with her experience with others woven husband, Galen, to Myrtle Beach. throughout. Mary studied with the She continues teaching COM courses. Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Karen Valencia shares what she learned. and Hilde Weintraub Sherri Mitchell Karen Valencia and Hilde Weintraub, DB, Sherri Mitchell, DB, Paula Clinedinst Lompac, California, Salem, Indiana, writing Paula Clinedinst, GQ, created “A Tribute to the as Magdalena Scott, Lakewood, Colorado, Founding Sisters of P.E.O.” wrote the ninth novella wrote “Fetch!” This The book brings Hilde’s in her small town, sweet children’s book tells period-authentic dolls to life with romance series. “Home a story about Crandall, detailed histories of the seven P.E.O. for Christmas (The McClains of a farm dog living in the Founders. Each of the founding sisters Legend, Tennessee)” is the tale Rocky Mountains, who just can’t seem are represented separately, starting of a man and woman who must to stay out of trouble. Crandall gets to with pictures of Hilde’s detailed dolls. overcome a loss of trust to create be a hero in the end, thanks to wise The book includes the story of each a loving home for a baby girl. farmers who love him and his love of of their lives, before and after P.E.O. Sherri has been a P.E.O. since 1986. playing fetch. The book is illustrated Within the book is a biography She is a full-time author, currently by Paula’s friend Lucy Dirksen. of Hilde and step-by-step pictures, working on a new trilogy, and a Paula is a 1990 graduate of Cottey procedures and techniques she used minimalist who downsized from a College and became a P.E.O. in in the development and creation of 3,000 square foot home to a studio Maryland that same year. She was the dolls and their many garments. apartment after her husband’s death, initiated into Chapter U, Oxon Hill, and Also included are ideas for Founders’ in order to follow her writing dream. spent a few years in Chapter P, Bowie, Day programs and games. before moving to Denver in 2013.

40 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars P.E.O. |authors Julie A. Winrich Sue Swavely Mary Schwaner Julie A. Winrich, aka J.A. Sue Swavely, AL, Mary Schwaner, AI, Winrich, DA, Green Valley, Greensboro, North Lincoln, Nebraska, Arizona, has written her Carolina, wrote, “Freedom wrote “Courage in third psychological thriller, Within Limits, The ABCs a White Coat,” a “Birthmark Killer.” When For Raising Happy, biographical novel that Samantha “Sam” Volarie Successful Children,” as a embraces the remarkable catches the biggest shark in a fishing guide for parents, preschool teachers life of Colorado native Dorothy Kinney contest in Cabo, Mexico, she finds and adults who spend time with our Chambers, MD. In 1928, wishing to inside pieces of human skin that have youngest children. Children deserve practice obstetrics and having been a duck birthmark on one piece. She’s a positive, encouraging beginning in denied that opportunity by prevailing determined to discover who her shark life. They want and need boundaries prejudices, she took herself to India ate. Back home in Sandpoint, Idaho, to feel safe and these boundaries as a medical missionary. There, she bizarre happenings take place, including must be consistent in order for them performed surgeries by the light of two other deaths. Would the person to feel secure. It is within this security a Coleman lantern in an open hut. responsible kill her also before she that children will want to explore their Within 10 years she had built the discovered who the birthmark belonged environment. This book gives simple, clinic into a fully functioning hospital to? Could one of Sam’s friends or any easy to implement ideas for connecting complete with electricity and running of the men contestants from the contest with the young children in your life. water. And then she fell in love. In have something to do with the pieces All of us are wired for connection, 1939, assigned to a mission post in of human flesh found inside her fish? and it is these first connections that the Philippine Islands, Dorothy, Fred, Julie grew up in Northern California our young children learn to build on and their two small children were on a ranch that produced grapes, with the other people in their world. swept into a Japanese prisoner of pears, prunes and hay. As a member Sue is an experienced parent, war camp in Manila. For the next of P.E.O. she serves as recording preschool teacher and swim three years they nearly starved, secretary for her chapter. She’s instructor. She believes that adults while Dorothy took care of the married and has one adult son and should view children through the 400 children imprisoned there. an adult step-daughter and has seven veil of their potential. Every step of the way her courage grandchildren, whose ages range from and faith were tested, but Dorothy 13-22. She loves to travel, play tennis, did not lose a single child in their read and write. Judith Marion Burtner three years of imprisonment. Judith Marion Burtner, In February of 1945, General C, Anchorage, Alaska, MacArthur mounted a daring Rebecca Farnbach wrote “Robinson Family raid and liberated the prisoners Rebecca Farnbach, FE, Governess: Letters at Santo Tomás—just 24 hours Murrieta, California, wrote from Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, before the Japanese Imperial Army “Dancing With Prayers in 1911-1913” using her would fulfill an order to execute the My Feet.” The title was grandmother’s letters home while entire camp. “Courage in a White chosen from a refrain in her she was governess for the Aubrey Coat” won the 2019 Illumination multi-award-winning poem Robinson family on their large sugar Award Silver Medal for Best eBook Dancing Louisa that is featured in the plantation/ranch. The vivid letters with a Christian world view. book, telling the true story of a woman are woven together with historical named Louise who learned her Native narration by Judith Burtner. The life American culture’s way of mindfully there among the plantation elite is a dancing and praying. snapshot of the “Island Edwardian” Rebecca was the third and youngest era and a young woman’s coming red-haired child born to red-haired of age on a remote island. parents in Marshalltown, Iowa. The Judith Burtner lives in Alaska where San Diego Christian Writers Guild she has been a teacher, small business PLEASE NOTE: named Rebecca “Writer of the Year” in owner and commercial salmon Author submissions received 2006 and she has received numerous fisherman. She majored in history after April 1, 2020, will be poetry awards. Rebecca often gives and has always enjoyed the stories inspirational presentations to P.E.O. that flesh out the facts and dates. published in The Record in chapters and reciprocity groups and a new format that will include teaches P.E.O. sisters and other groups only the name of the author, how to write and how to publish their her chapter information and work. She is involved in all things the name of her book. historical, whether it is family genealogy or local historic preservation concerns. WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 41 P.E.O.s IN THE spotlight

Laura J. Clark In April, Laura J. Clark, E, Louisville, Kentucky, was included on the Forbes Magazine 2020 Top Women Wealth Advisors list, ranked #4 in her state and #504 nationwide. The research company that compiles the list received 32,000 nominations of advisors who met certain thresholds, invited just over 14,000 to complete an online survey before conducting close to 12,000 telephone interviews. The goal being to identify “advisors that are leading the way in offering best practices and providing a high-quality experience for clients.” Laura has been a financial advisor since 2000, serving at both national and regional firms before founding Reliant Wealth Planning in January 2017. She oversees client service with the goal of providing clients with a feeling of comfort regarding their planning and the management of their financial resources. In addition, Laura is currently president of Chapter E, Louisville. Being part of an organization of “Women helping women reach for the stars” is something about which Laura is passionate. She is proud that during her Forbes interview she was able to share her P.E.O. story and is confident her involvement with the group is one of the reasons she made the list.

Brenda Smith Brenda Smith, AC, Kamloops, British Columbia, a librarian at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), recently received the BCcampus Award for Excellence in Open Education. BCcampus is a recognized world leader in Open Education. The BCcampus Award recognizes “significant leadership, Open Education Resource development, research or advocacy by faculty, students, support staff or administrators at post-secondary institutions in B.C.” Open Education seeks to eliminate barriers of cost, learning challenges and physical access for everyone who desires a high-quality educational experience by offering learning and research materials in a variety of media, online or in print. Brenda lives in Kamloops with her husband, Bill Greene, and Chihuahua, Diggie.

Karen Weede Karen Weede, MK, Quincy, Illinois, is serving on the National Alzheimer’s Association’s Early-Stage Advisory Group. Members of the advisory group are the face of Alzheimer’s—they speak to groups, are interviewed for media, advocate for legislation that affects people with dementia/Alzheimer’s and are open about their diagnoses in order to reduce the stigma of an early-state diagnosis. Karen is a 50-year member of P.E.O. She was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2017 at age 71. As an Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisor, Karen encourages people to get educated about dementia and learn about the community support and assistance available from the Alzheimer’s Association. Karen and her husband, Jim, live in Quincy, Illinois. They take delight in their nine grandchildren and love to travel, work in their yard, exercise and read.

C. Susan Johnson C. Susan Johnson, BZ, Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in Washington, D.C. Academy Fellows are nursing’s most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice and research. Sue is nationally recognized for her expertise in continuing education and professional development. She is the author of four books and an advocate for nursing education and certification. Sue has served as P.E.O. chapter and reciprocity president and currently is the International Peace Scholarship chair for Indiana.

42 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars FUNDRAISING |marketplace

Members may view all items for sale at https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 43 FUNDRAISING |marketplace

Members may view all items for sale at https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace

44 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars FUNDRAISING |marketplace

Members may view all items for sale at Members may view all items for sale at https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 45 FUNDRAISING |marketplace

Members may view all items for sale at https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace

46 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars FUNDRAISING |marketplace

Members may view all items for sale at Members may view all items for sale at https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace https://members.peointernational.org/fundraisingmarketplace

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 47 P.E.O.’s mission is to celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and women to achieve their highest aspirations. motivate “P.E.O. has been a wonderful The P.E.O. Sisterhood is a nonprofit organization that has part of my life for more than helped more than 113,000 women* pursue educational 50 years. This sisterhood has goals by providing over $366 million* in educational brought friendships I cherish assistance, making a difference in women’s lives through all over the U.S. There could six philanthropies and a foundation: be no comparable place to have learned organizational P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF) A revolving loan fund established and leadership skills from in 1907 to lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education. Has loaned $221 million.* such kind and understanding mentors, to have enjoyed the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS) A fund established warmth of hospitable homes of in 1949 to provide scholarships for international women students P.E.O. sisters in seven states, to pursue graduate study in the U.S. and Canada. Has provided $42.1 million in scholarships.* to count as my sisters so many outstanding and talented P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) Established in 1973 women of culture and wisdom to provide need-based grants to women in the U.S. and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary at all stages of life, to have to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. been comforted in times of Has given $62.4 million in grants.* sorrow while far from extended

P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) Established in 1991 to provide substantial family and to have shared my merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are talents with such gracious and pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. Has awarded $28.2 million in scholarships.* appreciative sisters.” -SUSAN ARNOTT D, WESSINGTON SPRINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA P.E.O. STAR Scholarship (STAR) Established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional high school senior women to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada ••••• in the next academic year. Has given $12.8 million in scholarships.* “In this chaotic world where Cottey College A nationally ranked, fully accredited, independent, change is inevitable but liberal arts/sciences college for women located in Nevada, Missouri, has been owned/supported by P.E.O. since 1927 and offers baccalaureate not always for the better, and associate degrees in a variety of majors. Cottey College, a debt-free institution, welcomes women from around the world. it is affirming to be a part of something so solidly The P.E.O. Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established in 1961 rooted in positive values, in to encourage tax-deductible giving to the educational and charitable mutual respect and support, projects of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. It is a service to the Sisterhood. in community service, in

Individual donors may make tax-deductible gifts to the projects or investing in the future.” through the P.E.O. Foundation. Visit www.peointernational.org. -ANDREA LEVY Look for the “Giving Opportunities” link on the home page. J, BLAINE, WASHINGTON

*As of April 2020

48 THE P.E.O. RECORD | July–August 2020 Women helping women reach for the stars TO THE |point

P.E.O. Director of Membership Search The search for a P.E.O. Director of Membership is in progress. A job description is available for viewing on the P.E.O. public website at www.peointernational.org/careers. Please forward this information to anyone you feel is qualified for the position, located in Des Moines, Iowa.

Uplifting Weekly Messages on Official P.E.O. International Facebook Page P.E.O.s and P.E.O. supporters across the United States and Canada are “radiating all light possible” by sharing messages on Sundays via the official P.E.O. International Facebook page. Be sure to follow the official page to like, comment and share these posts with your friends and family. The resources in their entirety are available on the P.E.O. International website by visiting https://www.peointernational.org/positive. If you would like to submit a message for consideration, please email it to [email protected].

Every Sister is a VIP—Especially Now! Now more than ever, it’s important to remember that Every Sister is a VIP! Invite a nonparticipating member to a virtual lunch. Drop off a sweet treat and card at the home of a sister you don’t know well. Use videoconferencing to introduce prospective members to your chapter. If everyone cannot attend the first one, plan several at different days and times. Make a special effort to accommodate your nonparticipating members. Check on your nonresident sisters with a phone call to see what is happening in their lives. Share what you learn with the rest of your chapter at your next meeting—whether virtual or in-person. As you check on them, make sure all their contact information is correct. Pass on any changes to your corresponding secretary.

Connect with your Project Recipients Project recipients tell us time and time again that, in addition to P.E.O.’s financial assistance that helps them continue their education, they are also extraordinarily grateful for the encouragement and support they receive from local chapters. Your cards, check-ins and support mean the world to them. During this time, as their educational experience has changed, reach out and let them know you are thinking of them. Perhaps invite them to join a Zoom social with your chapter to hear an update of their progress—it can be as inspiring for you as it is encouraging for them.

Hawaii – Kauai Potential New Chapter If you have a friend or relative on the island of Kauai who would be interested in P.E.O., please send her contact information to Alix Smith, [email protected].

P.E.O. Visit Day Plan a visit to see your college. P.E.O. Visit Day is Cottey’s annual premier visit event for P.E.O.s. This wonderful opportunity includes a campus tour led by students, an update

Send completed form, including your former address printed in the upper right corner (or give address at which magazine was last received), six weeks in advance of your move. from the President of the College, and participation in question-and-answer sessions with Mail Membership Dept., P.E.O. Executive Office 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312-2899 Fax The P.E.O. Record, 515-255-3820 Call 800-343-4921 (Automated line available 24 hours a day. May not be available in all areas of Canada.) students, faculty or staff. Go to cottey.edu/peovisitday and send in your registration form Email [email protected] Web peointernational.org (Log in as a member and click on ‘manage membership’)

Automatic Address Change: The P.E.O. Record may be mailed to two different addresses if the same seasonal address is used at the same time every year.

Address or Name Change (please print) today! The date for this event has been changed from October to Saturday, April 10, 2021.

Chapter letter(s) ______State/Province/District ______Date address effective ______

Name ______

Email address ______

Street or box address ______

City ______State/Province/District ______ZIP/Postal code ______Women helping women reach for the stars P.E.O. Project Impact Numbers P.E.O. has given over $366 million in financial assistance through ELF, IPS,

PCE, PSA and STAR projects to more than 113,000 women to pursue their educational goals. P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund loans are $221 million and 49,500 women

have received loans since 1907. The annual impact P.E.O. is having through its philanthropic projects on women P.E.O. International Peace Scholarships are $42.1 million and 6,420 women

have received scholarships since 1949. P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education grants are $62.4 million and 49,667

women have received grants since 1973. reaching their educational goals is on back cover of the May-June 2020 issue of P.E.O. Scholar Awards are $28.2 million and 2,527 women have received awards Our local chapters and members have since 1991. P.E.O. STAR Scholarships are $12.8 million and 5,142 women have received

shown dedication, scholarships since 2009. The P.E.O. Record. The information is also available on the P.E.O. member website hard work and financial In addition, P.E.O. has owned and supported Cottey College since 1927. Cottey

is a dynamic independent baccalaureate-granting liberal arts and sciences contributions for our institution that develops leadership qualities and a global perspective within its students throughout the entirety of their academic and co-curricular projects and recipients. experience. In 2019-20, 70% of Cottey’s students were enrolled in a 4-year By working together, program, and fall 2020 will open with a new stock trading room and an esports https://members.peointernational.org/resource/peo-project-statistics. arena and team. Work will also begin on the renovation of the lower level of the the following results Cottey Chapel into a campus center. Cottey College and P.E.O., together, are Creators of Incredible Futures! have been achieved: *As of April 2020 As a P.E.O., you should be proud and inspired by helping women reach for the stars!

WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG July–August 2020 | THE P.E.O. RECORD 49 Send completed form, including your former address printed in the upper right corner (or give address at which magazine was last received), six weeks in advance of your move. Mail Membership Dept., P.E.O. Executive Office 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312-2899 Fax The P.E.O. Record, 515-255-3820 Call 800-343-4921 (Automated line available 24 hours a day. May not be available in all areas of Canada.) Email [email protected] Web peointernational.org (Log in as a member and click on ‘manage membership’)

Automatic Address Change: The P.E.O. Record may be mailed to two different addresses if the same seasonal address is used at the same time every year.

Address or Name Change (please print)

Chapter letter(s)______State/Province/District______Date address effective______

Name______

Email address______

Street or box address______

City______State/Province/District______ZIP/Postal code______

In April 2020, the International Peace Scholarship (IPS) Fund Board of Trustees awarded $2,211,000 to 212 recipients from 74 different countries. During the 2020-2021 academic Of the 2020-2021 recipients, year, these exceptional women will be 60 are from Africa, 43 from studying toward graduate degrees at South America, 55 from Asia, 108 different colleges and universities 29 from Europe, 6 from the in 33 states and seven Canadian Middle East, 10 from North provinces. Excluding current awards, and Central America, 2 from IPS has paid scholarships to 6,270 Australia/Oceania and 7 women from 178 different countries, from the West Indies. totaling over $39.8 million since 1949.

Fostering Peace Through Education