About 15 years ago, I was asked to write an article for the P.E.O. Record. I did not consider myself the best person to write said article, but a wonderful double sister (A P.E.O. and Pi Beta Phi) assured me I was the one to write it. That first very tentative “yes” led to wonderful opportunities within P.E.O. I then had the honor of serving on the Special Committee to Study Ceremonies and Meeting Procedures and later on the Sesquicentennial Book Committee as one of four co-authors of We Who Are Sisters.
Five years ago in the midst of pandemic cleaning (little else to do when everything was closed), I had time to read the inscription on a book given to me by a member of the Special Committee. A Past State President (PSP) of Oklahoma State Chapter encouraged me to think about state board service. It was something I never considered because Illinois is such a big state, both in size of the state and in terms of P.E.O. chapters. Illinois currently has 303 chapters and 11,000+ members. It is third in terms of membership and fourth in number of chapters. I knew it would be a very large commitment.
In the days after I read her inscription, I asked three special P.E.O.s to write the required recommendations. And then I could not give it a second thought because I had told them about it and I would feel awful telling them to forget the recommendations. I’d leave it to the nominating committee to make the decision.
Fast forward nearly four or so years. I led the Illinois delegation at the 77th Convention of P.E.O. International Chapter last week in Phoenix, Arizona. It was never on my bingo card. One of the thrills of this convention was to see the Oklahoma PSP who wrote that encouragement in the book she gave me years ago. I also saw the Pi Phi double sister who was insistent that I was the best one to write that article as well as two of the other coauthors of the 150th coffee table history.
I also had the opportunity to visit with sorority friends – favorite Kappa Kappa Gammas – lots of Thetas, Pi Phis (of course) and readers of the blog. One of the best moments came from a brain freeze. I took the elevator to a floor and went to the door I thought was mine, but it had a do not disturb sign on it. It was late, the key did not appear to work and I knew my roommate would not typically put the sign on the door. So downstairs I went to ask the desk if I was on the 15th or 16th floor. As I turned to head to the elevator to go to the correct room, I spotted two PSPs from Illinois with whom I’ve served. Off we went to get a glass of wine and catch up – 90 minutes of laughter and love. And although it made for a late night how wonderful that was!
As leader of the Illinois State Chapter delegation, I gave the delegates some of my favorite convention advice – wear your most comfortable shoes. It’s not a fashion show (well there were a lot of daisy and star outfits and accessories, but nonetheless) and there was a lot of walking. I also told them there were no strangers, just friends who have not yet been met.
And shameless plug time. I wrote a book about one of the P.E.O. builders. Lulu Corkhill Williams was initiated at 14 years of age. She remained active her entire life and was in the room where it happened more than once. She served two terms as president of Illinois State Chapter. Her husband, H.B., was the “Original BIL.” Books can be purchased on the Illinois State Chapter Marketplace. All proceeds go to fund Illinois State Chapter conventions.
