P.E.O. Sisterhood celebrates 100th anniversary
On Saturday, Sept. 24, members of the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Lake Mills gathered at Asbury United Methodist Church to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chapter EX. Chapter EX of Lake Mills was chartered April 20, 1916. Originally, there were seven members who held the seven offices in that beginning era. They were: Mrs. Itasca Tremain, Mrs. Maude Thomas Helgesen, Mrs. Millie Wadsworth, Mrs. Marie Jessen, Mrs. Adeline M. Leslie, and Miss Mae Thomas. Many of their descendants and relatives may still be in the area today.
P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization which promotes educational opportunities for women. It has several philanthropies that local members support through dues and fundraising. They are: P.E.O. Education Loan Fund, P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, P.E.O. Scholar Award, P.E.O. Star Scholarship, and Cottey College.
Cottey College is owned by the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and is located in Nevada, Mo. The P.E.O. Sisterhood has owned Cottey since 1927, making it the only non-sectarian women’s college in the U.S. owned and supported by women.
In addition, the Iowa State Chapter of P.E.O. has special projects which help Iowa residents reach their educational goals and provides support to approved situations of needs. They are: The Centennial Award, Iowa Cottey College Scholarship Fund, and the Sara Porter Beckwith Friendship Fund. The application process is led by the local chapter. Chapter EX has participated in bringing more than $30,000 to recipients in the Lake Mills area.
The 100th anniversary celebration was attended by current members from Lake Mills and also women who were previous members of Chapter EX. These friends came from Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Madison, Wis., Rochester, Albert Lea, and Northfield, Minn.
A salad luncheon was served by current members. Music was provided by Krista Rygh Reeder and Virginia Kingland shared many historical facts about the early years of Chapter EX. A short skit highlighted the lives of the founders of P.E.O.
Former Lake Mills resident, Jill Mortenson, was also in attendance and addressed the group. Upon leaving Lake Mills and Chapter EX, Jill served on the P.E.O. Executive Board of Iowa State Chapter and was state president in 2010-11.
A special welcome was given to Normakay Marthinson, who holds the longest membership in the chapter. Normakay has been a member of Chapter EX for more than 69 years.
