F-52

FOUNDERS’ DAY PROGRAM

Helen R. Skewes, CN, Racine 1998

Script and Slides

Note: Please contact the State Recording Secretary for the slides that are part of this program.

January 21, 1869 marked the beginning of P.E.O. Seven college women gave thought and form to our Sisterhood and it is to honor them that we present this program today. The background and narratives of the seven founders is taken directly from Bette Stiers’ (CR, LaCrosse) 1982 Founders’ Day program.

1869! Higher education for women was still a new idea. And yet, Mt. Pleasant’s Iowa Wesleyan University had evolved from the 1842 Literary Institute and was accepting women.

Our seven founders, Mary Allen, Alice Bird, Hattie Briggs, Alice Coffin, Suela (Su-ee’-la) Pearson, Franc Roads, and Ella Stewart were not just students at Iowa Wesleyan, but leaders. When these seven close friends were not all asked to join the same society, they decided to form their own group and P.E.O. was founded.

Each founder brought some rare gifts to P.E.O. Many writers have mentioned those abilities, gifts and attributes in many ways. In order to catch for ourselves a bit of the enthusiasm and spirit of these seven women, let us take a glimpse into their lives.

First, let me introduce MARY ALLEN. Mary gave P.E.O. its poise. “A just comprehension of, and adherence to the qualities of Faith, Love, Purity, Justice and Truth” would apply to her.

SHOW PICTURE OF MARY ALLEN (#1) – ‘Mary’ talks

Now meet ALICE BIRD. Alice gave P.E.O. its literary bent. “To radiate all light possible by writing” would apply to her.

SHOW SLIDE OF ALICE BIRD (#2) – ‘Alice’ talks

Let me present HATTIE BRIGGS. She gave P.E.O. its homemaking tendencies. “To radiate all light possible” is said to apply to her.

SHOW SLIDE OF HATTIE BRIGGS (#3) – ‘Hattie’ talks

Next is ALICE COFFIN. She gave P.E.O. its interest in education. “To aim at self control, equipoise and symmetry of character” applies to her.

SHOW SLIDE OF ALICE COFFIN (#4) – ‘Alice’ talks

Now we have SUELA PEARSON. Suela gave P.E.O. its gaiety and charming sociability. “The right exercise of any talent we possess” would apply to her.

SHOW SLIDE OF SUELA PEARSON (#5) – ‘Suela’ talks

Now meet FRANC ROADS. Franc gave P.E.O. its vision and progressiveness. “To obtain all wisdom possible from art” would apply to her.

SHOW SLIDE OF FRANC ROADS (#6) – ‘Franc’ talks

Finally, please meet ELLA STEWART. Ella gave P.E.O. its desire for social service. “To seek growth in charity toward all with whom we associate” applies to her.

SHOW SLIDE OF ELLA STEWART (#7) – ‘Ella’ talks

P.E.O. has survived and thrived because the principles upon which these seven founders based that little society are still relevant and still attract the kind of women they saw as ideal.

If they could speak to us today, what might they say? Quoting from an old P.E.O. RECORD, they might say, “Let’s see. You are now __#___ plus sisters meeting for 15 meetings between now and next Founders” Day. That adds up to approximately ___#___ woman hours. What will those hours spent together mean to your world? And the world that follows? If what we did in 1869 developed into this, what you do with those hours next year may make a difference to all eternity.”

So, as the years come and go P.E.O. holds its honored place. We gather together as one family to pay tribute to the women whose lives we have recalled. The Sisterhood is its Founders truest interpreter. It really tells us what we need to know about them and we cherish that knowledge. They were enlightened women who gave us a torch to carry on.

Note: After each slide, have one of your members read the part of a founder. Script follows on next page.


MARY ALLEN (after slide of Mary is shown):

I grew up in this city of Mount Pleasant, Iowa where P.E.O. had its beginning. My father, Reuben, was a businessman who dealt in real estate. My mother, Evelyn, was a rare woman who was always poised, ready, and eager to welcome our friends into our home.

I attended the Preparatory Department or Academy at Iowa Wesleyan University, in Mount Pleasant, and then entered the university in the fall of 1865. I chose the classical course, a comprehensive course stressing Latin and Greek. My work for my A.B. degree was completed in March 1869.

So much of early P.E.O. happened in our home. One of my fondest memories was planning our first real party for P.E.O., the Sidereal Soiree, which I so named. I remember being the first to wear the star in public. My sister Cassie Allen and Ione Ambler were our first initiates into Chapter A. I was always active in religious work—Christianity for me was a practical means for solution of life’s problems—thus they nicknamed me “The Spiritual One.”

In 1871, I married Charles Lewis Stafford, a Methodist Minister. Elders of the church had warned Charles that I was a poor risk for a divinity student because I was fond of parties and fine clothes, and enjoyed a good joke now and then. Nevertheless, we shared 56 wonderful, useful years of ministry in the church. Included in those years were eight years Charles served as president of our Alma Mater, Iowa Wesleyan University, from 1891-1899.

We lived in at least ten different towns in Iowa from the time we were married. Our life was one of laughter and love. Charles and I raised four children: Clarence Allen, a businessman and rancher; Eva May, our only daughter who died at the age of four of scarlet fever; Charles Ralph, a lawyer; and William Reuben, who died just a year after graduation from the University of Wisconsin.

Despite our many moves, I maintained my interest in P.E.O. and was an active participant wherever possible. Writing about P.E.O. was a great past time for me. I was known for stressing the importance of proper procedure in conducting business meetings and the necessity for good order. At one time I stated, "We are but undisciplined if we cannot endure the quiet restraint of listening." My membership remained with Chapter A until 1905 when I transferred to Chapter B in Bloomfield, Iowa.

In 1917, Charles retired and we moved to Muscatine, Iowa where I joined Chapter FC. I lived the longest of my founding sisters. On July 10, 1927, at the age of 79, I joined Chapter Eternal, and was buried in Forest Home Cemetery at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Thank you


ALICE BIRD (after slide of Alice is shown)

My family was an important one in the early history of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Iowa Wesleyan College. My father was the county’s first physician and later served on the college faculty. I was born in 1850, attended high school at Howe’s Academy and started Iowa Wesleyan in the fall of 1865 at 15 years of age. I believe that I took the college by storm. A classmate wrote of me:

She was a town girl ….medium height, black hair thrown back, dark piercing eyes, tailor made clothes, taking long and bold strides as she passed through the college campus. Allie immediately took rank and had to be reckoned with… When any bold or daring adventure was incubating, Allie was there in the midst. She was not a man worshipper, met the boys like brothers and was generous in her attention to all.

My interests at Iowa Wesleyan were literature and classical languages. After I graduated, I taught high school for a time and then I was invited to fill the chair of Latin and Greek at my alma mater, which I did from 1872 until 1876. I met Mr. Washington Irving Babb during my student days and we were married on October 9, 1873. Mr. Babb taught law at that time at Iowa Wesleyan and practiced law in Mt. Pleasant for many years.

First an eager and successful student, later I became a dynamic speaker and writer of note of many portions of P.E.O. history. But as important as these to me was the development of home, family, and the raising of four children. I tried to make the Babb home one of “culture and comfort, and deep down happiness: a place where friends were always welcomed and cherished…and where the children were always free to bring their friends and where love and concern for others were taken for granted.”

We were blessed with four children, although Clarabelle, one daughter, died of diphtheria at the age of seven. Max, who graduated from Iowa Wesleyan, became a successful lawyer and for a while practiced with his father. Miles, also a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan, served in business and also as a trustee of Iowa Wesleyan from 1939 until his death in 1967. Our daughter, Alice, in 1968, was the last surviving child of any of the seven original founders of P.E.O.

I participated enthusiastically in P.E.O. from its organization in 1869 until 1926 when I joined Chapter Eternal. I was able to contribute through my writing in the preparation of resolutions, laws and ceremonies. I was an accustomed presence at meetings, helped to direct Grand Chapter during its formative years and served as associate editor of the P.E.O. RECORD during the first 3-4 years of its existence.

Two of my most precious possessions are the jeweled pin, which was presented to me in 1902 at Chapter A’s 33rd anniversary, and Ella Stewart’s original pin. I wore both of these pins at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Chapter A and feel extremely fortunate that I was able to attend. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to participate in and help record so many years of P.E.O. growth. Thank you.


HATTIE BRIGGS (after slide of Hattie is shown)

I was born in Troy, Iowa in 1849. My real name is Harriet. My father was a pioneer Methodist minister. We moved to Mt. Pleasant in the early 1860s. Our home was located at the northwest corner of the campus. My father was a trustee of the university for 15 years and a member of the executive committee from 1866 until 1870.

I’ve been described by some as above average size, with light brown hair, a fair complexion, large expressive blue eyes, and was best remembered for my radiant smile and cheerfulness.

I entered the university in the fall of 1865. I was a member of the Lifebloods—that was the name our freshman class gave itself. Suela (Su-ee’-la) and Franc were the only two of us seven girls not in that class. I was quite active in campus and church activities and loved to play the organ in the chapel.

My relationship with my six friends was certainly a special one! The formation of the society was at my suggestion and I also gave P.E.O. its name. The others said I brought a note of joy and happiness to the society—and I did enjoy life! I tried to be receptive to the needs of others and I tried to make everyone near me feel comfortable.

In 1869, I received a B.S. degree and three years later an honorary M.S. degree. After graduation, I taught music and art and moved about with my parents to Ottumwa, Iowa, and then to Knoxville, Iowa, where my father had accepted Methodist pastorates.

On January 12, 1873, my father preached his regular Sunday sermon. At the end of the service, he performed my wedding ceremony—it came as a complete surprise to most of the congregation! My husband, Henri Bouquet (Bous-kay), and I then moved to Pella, Iowa. Henri was a native of Amsterdam, Holland, and had moved to Pella with his parents when he was nine years old.

We had two sons—Cutts Duddock and two years later Henri Lyman. I only enjoyed the role of wife and mother a short time. I joined Chapter Eternal in 1877 at the age of 28. My second son, Henri, died four years later just before his sixth birthday.

However, Cutts had a long life. He married in 1916 using the same wedding ring my husband had placed on my finger in 1873! Cutts and his wife, whose name was also Hattie, had one daughter, Geraldine, who then inherited my wedding ring. In 1962, Geraldine and two of her daughters visited the P.E.O. Executive Office in Des Moines and gave them my ring along with some other items.

Because I only wore my beloved “star” for eight short years, I did not record in print my joyous experiences in P.E.O. as others did. I must say now, that it is truly satisfying to know how successfully P.E.O. has progressed over the years!

Thank you.


ALICE COFFIN (after slide of Alice is shown)

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1848. One year later, we moved to Salem, Indiana, where my parents had met and married. My mother, Martha, was the daughter of Judge John Handley Thompson, a lawyer and political leader in Indiana. She was an educated and accomplished woman. My father was Matthew Starbuck Coffin. He engaged in several different occupations—from part owner of a Mississippi steamship, to the mercantile business, to the position of supervising the transportation of Civil War troops and supplies on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. We moved several times due to my father’s job changes and my mother’s health. I had a sister and two brothers. My mother died when I was nine years old. Years later, my father moved us to Mt. Pleasant so that we would be assured of a good education.

I entered Iowa Wesleyan in September of 1865. One of my classmates described me as a “tall, willowy blond, with elegant grace and costume in the latest style.” I dated Will Pearson, Suela’s brother. (Su-ee’la) Our romance did not have the anticipated ending. I found it necessary to break the engagement. I had several other offers of marriage, but declined those also.

I graduated in 1869, receiving a B.S. degree, and three years later was granted the honorary M.S. degree. I taught for a short time at Des Moines, several years at Chariton, and then moved back to Newton, Iowa where I had spent my early school days and remained there the rest of my life.

I had been a Methodist, as my mother was, but while living in Chariton, I became a member of the Episcopal Church. I had two reasons for the change—I was receptive to the rituals and ceremonies of that church and I was fond of dancing, which at that time was frowned upon by the Methodist Church.