Title: P.E.O. Chapter D Records, 1913-1995

ID: OGLMC878

Primary Creator: P.E.O. Chapter D (1913-)

Extent: 6.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 07/28/1983. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Grand Forks - Organizations, Women's History - Women's Organizations, Women's History - Women's Organizations - P.E.O.

Languages: English

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

The first Grand Forks chapter, known as Chapter D, was established April 7, 1913. Charter members 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 local, state and national levels, and provided several state chapter presidents. It also has been responsible for sponsoring several other P.E.O. chapters in the area. Chapter D has hosted many educational lectures and meetings for both its members and the greater community at large. It also raised funds for several P.E.O. projects, 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.

Grand Forks - Organizations
Women's History - Women's Organizations
Women's History - Women's Organizations - P.E.O.

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals: Additional material was donated by Margaret Libby Barr on May 18, 1984 (84-1299) and by Mavis Ness, Grand Forks, North Dakota, on May 22, 2001 (2001-2506).

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Margaret Libby Barr, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation; 83-1168

Related Materials:

P.E.O. Chapter AI Records: OGLMC 1330

P.E.O. Chapter T Records: OGLMC 1012

P.E.O. Chapter AF Records: OGLMC 1581

Related Publications: Fifty years of P. E. O. in North Dakota, 1906-1956. Grand Forks: North Dakota State Chapter, 1956.

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). P.E.O. Chapter D Records. OGLMC 878, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in November 2014.