LuAnne Navarra, P.E.O. Chapter FL Corresponding Secretary, submitted this article and photos.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2015, members of P.E.O.Chapter FL met for a 75th Anniversary Celebration at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 202 E. Morris Street, Morrison, IL. The evening began with a Founder’s Day Celebration with visiting P.E.O. Round Table Chapters from Sterling, and Rock Falls, IL. Refreshments were served, followed by a program organized by Chapter FL committee members Judy Johnson, Joann Kilgus, and Nancy Vandermyde.
Johnson, above far left, posed as one of the “original” founding members and explained how they began the first P.E.O organization in 1869. She continued to breakdown the seven decades that Morrison Chapter FL has been in existence, with facts pertaining to politics, sports, TV and movie personalities, fashion, etc. Chapter FL members put on a “fashion show” dressed in attire from the 1940’s through the 2000’s. Each member also gave facts about P.E.O. International and Chapter FL relating to the decade they represented. Members from all the Chapters found the evening entertaining and informative.
P.E.O. Chapter FL met for dinner at the Oak Room Restaurant, 903 W. Morris Street, Morrison, on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The evening’s program, “To Seek Growth…Through Discovery,” was organized and led by Chapter member Jan Kelly. Each member was asked to bring something that is special in their lives: a keepsake, treasure, hobby, etc. Nancy Pannier, left, showed a picture of a rainbow and described how it will someday belong to one of her grandsons, who prompted a special story about his interest in getting a rainbow from God. Johnson shared pictures from her Country School class and a ceramic box from her childhood school days. Below, Jan Kelly, left, assists Chapter FL member Barb Bush with a treasured baby blanket made for her by her grandmother.
It was a wonderful way for Chapter members to learn about each other and to share a part of their lives. A business meeting followed, led by President Jean Eggemeyer.
P.E.O. is one of the pioneer societies for women and was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Today, P.E.O. has grown from that tiny membership of seven to almost a quarter of a million members in chapters in the United States and Canada. P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College; motivate women of all ages to achieve their highest aspirations.