Other Recognition & Information

NEW MEMBERS

We are thrilled to welcome the wonderful addition of nearly 50 new sisters to our Utah Chapters. They have been welcome travel companions on our journey this year. We hope you will grow to love your new chapters as you continue going places with P.E.O.

New Members by Chapter April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020

(initiates and transfers in from out-of-state)

B Rosario Cano Y Ruth Hallett AK Janet DeFever

D Marguerite White – FJ\WA Karen L. Morris – A\NV Rebecca Krause

E Lisa Humphris Meredith Oliver – P\MS AL Danielle Perego – EW\MN

F Priscilla Jackert Karen Squires Rebecca Perego – EW\MN

H Christine Menser Z Diane Blackhurst AM Marla S. Drabner

Linda Rowlette Renae Deighton Virginia Hunt

Ruth Turner Patricia Toussaint Carol S. Jarman

M Kathy Kittrell – CQ\AZ AD Brenda Debenham Cheryl Mansfield

J Bonnie Humphrey – B\NV AE Nancy L. Blum Connie Milford – CF\KS

P Kathy Thornburg Katie Dunn Arlene Prinselaar

Q Rebecca Sandulli Teri Stagg Chery Popiel – BM\MT

U Andrea Bullen AH Ranee Hollinger Debora Rice – AG\AZ

Vanessa Chambers AI Krista Szasz Stoker – B\ON AN Taunya James

Debbie Davis AJ Kathryn F. Allan – WQ\CA Nancy Jones

X Gail Arnold – AG\NJ Terri Allen – Y\TN Shonda L. Richardson

Ann Seppi – BN\ID Margaret Kruke

Mary Ann Wilcox – L\WY Grace LeMasters

Melinda Sanford – O\KY

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LIVING GOLDEN GIRLS

We are delighted to recognize the following Utah sisters who have reached milestone Golden Girl status. Join us in celebrating these dear sisters!

1947

1951

1952

1953

1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962

Catherine Chamberlain, AD

Lois Fitzgerald, E

Eleanor Carlston, E Vivienne Forsberg, Q

Joyce Robison, W

Sally Ralph, L Rita Bahos, V Janet Janis, X Sonja Decker, O Mary Behrens, R Barbara Orr, AK Kathleen Gubler, AM Barbara Reese Dugan, R Shirley Neal, F, PSP Grace Ann Walling, P Joyce Hamilton, P Mary Rasmussen, R Jane Chesley, A Marty Heddens, AJ Patricia Minister, H Mary Ashton, AI Jacquelyn G. Piland, AJ Margaret Neiswanger, J Marion Ayers, R Ann Tyler, R Joann Svikhart, R Sara Altick Keller, U, PSP Patricia R. Morgan, X

1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968

Linda Nystrom, J Esther Emerson, L Patricia Steele, AI Gailor L. Schmidt, J Patricia Wheeler, M Marlyce Chytraus, R Cara Nielsen, M Mary A. Harmer, N Anette Engelby, P Betty Slack, U Marvel K. Leader, Y Nancy Edwards Williams, Y, PSP Leigh Washburn, AK Judith Snow, AJ Marsha Besch, AM Catherine Schwaegler, M Ann S. Haran Jensen, O Jane Bebb, AD M. Jane O'Donnell, AM Jane Coleman, E Evelyn Falk, U Patricia Curtis, V, PSP Evelyn Edwards, X Margaret Rae Wise, AD Kitt Herron, A Janet Lesh, C Lynne R. Preece, J Kathy Wallace, J Patricia L. Carpenter, J Katherine R. Lords, R Betty Holbrook, R Victoria Peters, R, PSP Alice Rathofer, V Sally M. Epley, AA Patricia Sater, AM

1969 1970

Donna Friz, F Carol Wilson, R Afton Smith, Disb. T Mary Ann Green, U Hazel Johnston, Y Ann George, Disb. AF Mary Bone, AH Arlene T. Gilbert, AM Gerry Zimmerman, AO Linda O’Rielly, C Sally Wither, C Ellen Lagerquist, L Jackie Smith, M Mary Ann Bojanowski, Y Barbara Jenkins, Y Charlotte Bianchetti, Z Ann Jensen, AA Marsha Besch, AM

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MEMBERS OF CHAPTER ETERNAL These sisters are gone for a while, yet remain in our hearts:

Marjorie Saunders Chapter A Lillian Zancanella Chapter X

Karen Iverson Chapter A Eleanor Anderson Chapter Y

Rita Hutchinson Chapter B Helen Hassell Chapter Z

Jan Malmquist Chapter D Eloise R. Peterson Chapter Z

Elta Lee Johnson Chapter E Phyllis B. Rooney Chapter Z

Maryanne Murray Chapter E Trudy Daich Chapter AA

Lois Johnson Chapter L Georgia Meisner, PSP Chapter AA

Jean Howell Chapter N Patricia Schmunk Chapter AC

Dorothy Ware Chapter N Margaret B. Madison Chapter AD

Cora Lee Deardorf Chapter O Jo Ann Horgan Chapter AD

Joy Bemis Chapter O Cam Harmston Chapter AI

Florence Bertagnole Chapter R Connie Cowan Chapter AI

Mary Elizabeth Keller Chapter R Faye Gray Chapter AM

Mary Cassler Disb Chapter T Gayle Walker Chapter AO

Meredith Simmons Chapter X “Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged…. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well…. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!” - Henry Scott Holland

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TRIBUTE TO GEORGIA ANNA MEISNER, AA, PSP President, Utah State Chapter P.E.O., 1997-1998

(The “Can Do Master”) I first met Georgia Meisner when I had been asked to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for an installation of an Honored Queen for Bethel No. 2, Job’s Daughters, in Ogden. It was obvious Georgia was in charge as she was in many undertakings during her life. She gave freely of her time and talents, cooking for fundraisers, hosting tea parties, raising money for scholarships, accompanying soloists. She was a troop leader for Girl Scouts, Majority Member and Past Honored Queen of Bethel # 2, Ogden, member of the Order of Eastern Star, Past President of Chapter M, Ogden, and Past Utah State President, P.E.O. She sang in a trio called Joyful Sound and played piano and organ and conducted the First United Methodist Church and Glory to God Church choirs. She was secretary of the United Way Family Counseling Center until she retired. She was always well-prepared and from the get-go believed “Life is a Song, Love is the Music” – her theme when she presided as Utah State Chapter president. Georgia was born September 5, 1930 to Grayce L. Russell and Dr. George O. Bartlett on the kitchen table at the family home near 26th and Monroe in Ogden, Utah. She was born, raised, and died in the same town. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1948 and married Wayne Meisner on September 15, 1950, in Santa Ana, California. Together they raised three children next to the Presbyterian Church where Georgia had been baptized as a child. Georgia did not drive so Wayne acted as chauffeur, companion, and best friend as he shuffled her and the kids between the First United Methodist Church, the Ogden Masonic Temple and P.E.O. meetings all over the state. Often Wayne spent his time in the car while Georgia was in meetings. She loved camping and challenged her grandkids to go down dirt trails, out to deep sea fishing with Wayne, swim in Warm River, play Spoons and Russian Bank. They are all beneficiaries of an outstanding legacy. She made casseroles for sick folks and bread every Sunday. She loved old movies, musicals, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Lucille Ball. Her family was cared for and loved. Her heart was full. She is now conducting a celestial choir. Affectionately submitted, Arleen Bedingfield, AH, PSP\UT

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CHAPTER RECOGNITION Many chapters not only met but exceeded the state goals. Here is a recap: Travel Together 18 chapters:

• initiated almost 50 new sisters • welcomed 18 sisters from other states and 1 province who transferred to Utah • welcomed home 4 sisters by reinstatement

Map a Path

• 12 chapters had no sisters go inactive! • Many chapters used the Three-Year Mentoring Plan and VIP Messaging to care for each sister

in our chapters Chart a Course

• Nearly $67,000 was given to our philanthropies • 69 women were sponsored for scholarships, grants, and loans

Admire the Scenery Many chapters commented on having programs on our objects and aims and all of us continuously used them as our guide. Special Recognition Each of these chapters generously donated a lump sum of $500 to the following funds to receive these designations. We congratulate them!

Laureate Chapter P.E.O. Scholar Award

Partner in Peace Chapter International Peace Scholarship

Constellation Chapter STAR Scholarship

Chapter F Chapter D Chapter D Chapter U Chapter F Chapter U

Chapter AD Chapter U Chapter X Chapter AI* Chapter AJ Chapter AJ Chapter AJ Chapter AM Chapter AM

Chapter AM *Received the status for successfully nominating a P.E.O. Scholar

Mind the Detour Then along came COVID-19, and did it stop us? No, but our journey had some detours! Undaunted, we continue to do our work and play via Zoom and other virtual means. We long to meet together in person and do what we do best, and as one of our chapter presidents expressed it, “Our goal for next year will be to increase our Sisterhood and help spread even more love.” Thank you to each and every sister who showed everyone that we truly embraced our year’s theme of “Going Places with P.E.O.”

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RÉSUMÉ OF PRESIDENTS' LETTERS

It has been a great privilege to review the letters written by the 2019-2020 chapter presidents. The triumphs and adventures of our chapter members and their officers made for some interesting reading. The accomplishments made by Utah Chapters, working individually and together, are noteworthy for the show of heart and high level of consistency. Twelve short months ago, our president, Stephanie Halton, challenged us to pack our bags, grab our passports, and set out on “A Joyful Journey - Going Places with P.E.O.” Regrettably, Covid-19 grounded us in early March, requiring us to take refuge in our homes, quarantined for the most part, wearing masks when we occasionally left our homes.

Sisters were encouraged to “Travel Together” by increasing membership in each chapter via two initiations and one transfer in or reinstatement. Fourteen chapters linked arms with one or more transfers-in or reinstatements. Six chapters welcomed two or more initiates and nine chapters embraced a new initiate. One chapter president expressed her chapter’s desire to “increase our Sisterhood and help spread even more love.”

Using their maps and compasses, Utah chapters worked to support the mission of P.E.O. in numerous ways by striving for zero inactive members in a trio of exciting initiatives. Twenty-one chapters incorporated one of the “Every Sister is a VIP” messaging suggestions per quarter. One chapter president recognized that her sisters are VIPs when she said that her sisters have “can-do” and “will-do” attitudes and “inspire me to be a better person.” The “Tell Us What You Think” questionnaire was embraced by 25 chapters, giving their members a voice in their chapter operations and goals. One chapter completed this questionnaire in February 2020 to help the incoming officers meet their chapter’s needs. Another chapter president credited the survey with “time together…to sit and listen to one another” while completing it together. Nineteen chapters implemented the Three-Year Mentoring Plan for their new members.

Utah chapters charted a course to philanthropic success through candidate sponsorship, philanthropic donations and attention to the Pyramid of Giving when planning chapter donations. Twenty-two chapters sponsored at least one candidate for a philanthropy award. Donations flowed to international and state philanthropies from 24 chapters and twenty chapters considered the Pyramid of Giving when they planned the distribution of their funds at year’s end. “We are dedicated to improving the lives of women through philanthropy and service.”

While enjoying each other’s company and admiring the scenery, Buddy Chapters took the time to get to know each other. Twelve chapters got together with each other in pairs at least once or mailed cards to each other. Four chapters got together in two pairs and liked it so much, they did it twice! Funny thing is, the outings together often involved good food and coffee spots. Those were the days…. You know, when you could go to a restaurant!

Above all, chapter presidents were glowing in their praise for their sisters and the support they received from them. From entertaining and educational programs to planning outings, chapter

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members bring great joy and enthusiasm to their chapters. One chapter president shared “We are a strong little chapter who support each other with love and care. We have all joined together on our joyful journey and brightened the path of not only our own chapter members, but those whose hearts we touched along the way. Each member of the chapter deserves recognition as a glorious star lighting the paths of all those she’s encountered on her journey. We are all Going Places with P.E.O. and will continue to light the way.” Another president wrote that her sisters excel at “radiating all the finest that P.E.O. can be.” If you served as a chapter president this past year, we appreciate your dedication, leadership, and service. If you have never served as a chapter president, you might take some courage from one of our presidents who stated: “I have been a P.E.O. since 1987 and this is my first time as President. I have had several offices over the years, but was leery of being President. I have discovered that it isn’t as difficult as I imagined!” May all of you who have not experienced leading wonderful sisters who will do anything they can for you, take courage from this first time president and enjoy leading sisters who love you and would do anything for you. You’ll never regret it! Cynthia Schofield, Y, Vice President Utah State Chapter

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DEVOTION “It can be nice if the devotion ties into the President’s theme, but it’s not required.” When I heard that, we had a date for Convention on the books for 2020. We were going to embrace the “elbow bump” and perhaps streamline our time together. Going places, that immediately meant travel. I started thinking about trips in the works for later this year, trips from the past that immediately come to mind when the word travel is uttered, and all the memorable trips I’ve taken with Sisters or somehow linked to P.E.O. Then we received word that Conventions were cancelled for 2020 for all states, districts and provinces. “It can be nice if the devotion ties into the President’s theme.” Our theme this year has been “Going Places with P.E.O.” when now, we are doing exactly the opposite. We’re staying safe at home, minimizing how much we go out and our contact with others. Calling it quarantine, shelter in place, or even lock-down. We are not sure how long this will be our way of life. In 2020, we really aren’t “Going Places with P.E.O.” Or are we? This historic time of “not going” has provided us many unique ways to travel and connect with our Sisters. In this year ending our Sesquicentennial, where we looked at how far we’ve come as women, society and the differences between then and now, we’re forced to pause and not go. During this pause or time of “not going”, how many of us have written more notes? Made even more phone calls? Sent even more texts? Discovered a new way to use technology to connect and travel such as using Zoom, Google Duo or FaceTime? I would say these are examples of “Going Places with P.E.O.” This traveling together - connection by any available means - continuing to show our loving concern for each Sister will successfully launch us on our way to truly “Going Places with P.E.O.” Robyn Thornton, Q

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OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S REMARKS As we close out this unusual year, we face the future with hope and confidence in our Sisterhood. The commitment to philanthropy and friendship established over 150 years ago has stood the test of time and it will continue. Our journey may be on a detour, but the P.E.O. mission is the fixed point on our compass. And we will not lose sight of this truth north. The remarkable experience of serving Utah State Chapter on the executive board for five years truly has been a privilege. I deeply appreciate the kindness and encouragement you have offered me throughout my tenure, especially this spring. I walk away heartened by the friendships I have formed, inspired by the love you have for one another, and emboldened to continue to support this wonderful organization that has championed women’s education for over 150 years. It seems fitting to close this message with a poem that was included in my devotion as incoming state secretary and in my remarks as incoming state president. This verse typifies for me what is means to be a P.E.O. and to have sisters on the path with us. “There is no friend like a sister In calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, To fetch one if one goes astray, To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen while one stands.” – Christina Rossetti, 1862 Thank you, dear sisters. Stephanie Halton, U President, Utah State Chapter 2019-2020

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INCOMING PRESIDENT’S REMARKS The times are unusual, the process was unique, but the installation of Utah State Officers proceeded, although we missed the sweet physical presence of our sisters from throughout Utah. A few family members, BILs, and Past State Presidents of Utah joined us remotely. Our Representative of International Chapter Dr. Laurie Collins, chairman of the P.E.O. Scholar Awards Board of Trustees, attended via Zoom. At the request of the Utah State Board, Stephanie Halton, U, PSP installed the following state officers: Robyn Thornton, Q, secretary; Kat Lee, P, treasurer; Alice Stephenson, V, organizer; Nancy Labahn, B, vice president; Cynthia Schofield, Y, president. Even though we could not gather as we planned, the installation of the new Utah State Board proceeded with the help of modern video technology. As unusual as we might think the times are, it should be noted that the Wisconsin Grand Chapter became part of Supreme Chapter of P.E.O. in 1917 and Michigan State Chapter was organized and joined Supreme Chapter in 1919. At the time, the world was devastated by an influenza pandemic, the worst of which lasted roughly from March 1917 to April 1918. P.E.O. has a history of making it through difficult times – pandemics and wars, to name a few – P.E.O. will survive these times, as well. We are resilient, loving, and strong with a mission to educate women. We will survive and we will thrive! In the summer of 2016, just a few months after being installed as Utah State Board secretary, I attended a Chapter Y fundraiser and silent auction in Liberty Park. There were many fine items for bid, but a lovely stained-glass piece kept beckoning me. The glass itself was fashioned by Len Johnson, BIL of Jennie Johnson, Y; Dave Peifer, BIL of Kathy Alderson, Y, created the stand. I was intrigued by it and just knew I had to have it! The glass holds a special place on my kitchen windowsill overlooking the Salt Lake Valley, with a view of Antelope Island. When I am working at my kitchen table on various Utah State Board projects, I contemplate this beautiful piece. It has provided inspiration and solace, depending on what was needed at the time. I gaze at it, “daisy-dreaming” about P.E.O.’s bright future, enjoying the cheery light – even on dreary, snowy days. Naturally, the state theme for 2020-2021 is: “A Daisy Dream: P.E.O.’s Bright Future.” I am grateful for the combined efforts of Nancy Webster, Z and Lisa Anderson, D for creating a logo that captures and distills this year’s theme. Stephanie Halton took us on “A Joyful Journey” – didn’t we have a blast!? However, circumstances beyond our control have brought us to a place of contemplation – we dream of a bright future for P.E.O., and for our world. Last year, Stephanie taught us the “silly walk”, but current health concerns prohibit “silly walking” for now. The times call for us to be creative as we maintain contact with our sisters. Our bonds of sisterhood are even more significant in times of strife and difficulty. I hope you will share many stories this year of the creative ways that sisters have maintained loving contact with each other. May we all grow closer for the love and affection we have for each other no matter the physical distance. I pray we may link arms again for the silly walk very soon. Meanwhile, “Daisy Dream” about “P.E.O.’s Bright Future” and let those dreams sustain and inspire you! Cynthia Schofield, Y President, Utah State Chapter 2020-2021

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