ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

P.E.O. CHAPTER D RECORDS

COLLECTION: OGL #878

DATES: 1913-1983

SIZE: 1.25 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The P.E.O. Chapter D Records were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Margaret Libby Barr, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on July 26, 1983 (Acc.#83-1168).

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

RELATED COLLECTIONS: OGL#1012, P.E.O. Chapter T Records, OGL#1330, Chapter AI Records, and OGL#302, Carrie Simpson Papers

RELATED PUBLICATIONS: Fifty Years of P.E.O. in North Dakota, 1906-1956 and Chapter D in Retrospect, 1913-1983

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The P.E.O. Sisterhood was established on January 21, 1869 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University. The organization was established as philanthropic and educational society for women. Although comprised of only seven members at its founding, P.E.O. now has thousands of chapters and members throughout the United States.

The first Grand Forks Chapter, known as Chapter D, was established on April 7, 1913. Charter members of Chapter D included Ada Bek, Chrissie Budge, Lillian Budge, Mable French, Margaret Gillette, Eva Libby, Carrie Simpson, Leila Sturtevant and Gertrude Sturtevant. The President of Chapter D at its founding was Carrie Simpson.

Chapter D was a very active chapter in North Dakota. It hosted several state conventions, participated in many P.E.O. sponsored activities on both a local, state and national level, and provided several state chapter presidents. It also has been responsible for sponsoring several other P.E.O. chapters in the area. The Chapter has hosted many educational lectures and meetings for both its members and the greater community at large. Chapter D has also raised funds for several P.E.O. fund drives, including the Peace Scholarship Fund and the Educational Fund. In the aftermath of World War I, Chapter D adopted a French war orphan; during World War II, Chapter D and the entire P.E.O. organization was very active in raising funds and boosting morale for the war effort.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The P.E.O. Chapter D Records consist of roll call books (1913-1963), membership books (1925- 1957) and financial information (1913-1969). Two programs from P.E.O. meetings are included, as are reports from the state and supreme conventions. A written history of the Club, Chapter D in Retrospect, 1913-1983, written by Margaret Libby Barr, is also included. This book is available both in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection and the North Dakota Book Collection.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1

Folder 1. Membership Book, 1925-1943
       2. Membership Book, 1943-1957
       3. Roll Call Book, 1913-1932
       4. Roll Call Book, 1913-1932
       5. Roll Call Book, 1946-1954
       6. Roll Call Book, 1954-1963
       7. Treasurer's Record Book, Membership Dues: 1913-1923
       8. Treasurer's Record Book, Receipts and Disbursements: 1913-1926
       9. Treasurer's Record Book, Receipts and Disbursements: 1926-1937
      10. Treasurer's Record Book, Receipts and Disbursements: 1937-1944
      11. Treasurer's Record Book, Receipts and Disbursements: 1942-1952
      12. Treasurer's Record Book, Receipts and Disbursements: 1953-1969
      13. Program, Prominent P.E.O.s by M. Beatrice Johnstone: 1943
      14. Program, To Seek Wisdom from Books by Carrie Simpson: 1950
      15. B.I.L. Ritual: undated
      16. Proceedings from 1940 P.E.O. State Convention
      17. Delegates Report of 1915 Supreme Convention, by Chrissie Budge
      18. Demit cards, 1913
      19. Margaret Libby Barr, Chapter D in Retrospect, 1913-1983

 Original Donation  First Addtition: 1913-1980
 Second Addition: 1977-1995  

Return to: Women's Organizational Records

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