LIPEO, Shirley
The 70th Birthday of Chapter EU, P.E.O., McPherson, Kansas
The ”Birth” of Chapter EU of the P.E.O. Sisterhood was on April 18, 1942. Few of our present members were even born at this time and many of us have not even heard about our EU “birth”. The preparation began at a meeting of Chapter AY on February 21, 1942 under the suggestions for The Good of the Chapter. Helen Lehmberg, aun
t of Lorna Lehmberg Stroup, brought up the matter of the possibility of organizing a new chapter in McPherson and Grace Simpson, state organizer, and a member of Chapter AY, gave many suggestions and points of information which would be helpful. These included” the number of charter members is not more than fifteen without the consent of the state organizer and that a good plan was to choose past presidents to choose the membership list”. On March 4 a motion was made and seconded that Chapter AY sponsor a new chapter in McPherson. The motion carried and 33 members being entitled to vote – 30 voted pro and three con. A motion carried that would allow each member of Chapter AY to present one name by secret ballot before March 15 and this list be used by seven past AY presidents who had been chosen to select the charter list. On March 21, 1942 the committee of past presidents, which had been given a great responsibility and they had acted accordingly, presented the charter list of fifteen. Grace Simpson said “As good PEO’s we should be happy in the choice and make no comments.” Each woman on the list had been interviewed and had accepted. The list of names includes:
Blanche Wheeler Dorothy Swain Anderson
Vena Mae Brown Caroline Oliver
Mayme Bremyer Helen Matson
Irene Johnson Helen Swanson (still living in 2012)
Rowena Sargent Virginia Sohlberg
Maurine Lehmberg Genevieve Angevine
Rosalind Morris Marn Allison
Ruth MacDonald
Perhaps we should explain what the minutes meant when it stated, “all members had been interviewed and accepted.” Three of the past presidents committee called on each one, in their homes, to invite them to become members of Chapter EU. They explained what they could about P.E.O., asked them to affirm their belief in God and state whether membership would conflict with religion or family. They each signed their name on a sheet of paper which was folded in a manner that kept them from reading who else had signed. At last the day of Chapter EU’s organization and initiation arrived. It was April 18, 1942, and fifteen young women met at the Hotel McCourt to begin their journey in P.E.O. The McCourt Hotel occupied the space now known as the Bank Plaza (at Main & Marlin). The formal organizational meeting was held at 10:30 a.m. in the Mandarin Room with Marian Cavert, State President conducting the service with the help of members of Chapter AY. At noon the chapter and any visiting guests were entertained at a delicious luncheon in the Persian Room. This room was truly outstanding for our area with Persian rugs, brass lamps, and a gorgeous crystal chandelier, lovely draperies and suitable furniture. Following the luncheon they returned to the Mandarin Room to elect their first officers, as well as, receive supplies and instructions from Grace Simpson. Officers elected were:
Ruth MacDonald, President
Blanche Wheeler, Vice-President
Dorothy Anderson, Recording Secretary
Helen Matson, Corresponding Secretary
Caroline Oliver, Treasurer
Rowena Sargent, Chaplain
Rosalind Morris, Guard
Mrs. Keller, President of Chapter AY, presented EU with a gift of a carrying case for the new president. The birth of EU had now taken place and they were starting their first year together as P.E.O. sisters.
