Mount Pleasant in Henry County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

P.E.O. Sisterhood Founded

January 21, 1869

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

1. P.E.O. Sisterhood Founded Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

January 21, 1869
The P.E.O. Sisterhood was founded
in Old Main’s second floor music room
by seven Iowa Wesleyan University female students.
P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization
motivating women to achieve their highest aspirations.

This marker is placed by
Mount Pleasant Chapters Original A, NZ, OX
and New London Chapter EV
to celebrate P.E.O. International’s 150th anniversary.
2019

Erected 2019 by P.E.O. International Chapters: Mount Pleasant Original A, NZ, OX, and New London EV.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 1869.

Location. 40° 58.437′ N, 91° 33.201′ W. Marker is in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in Henry County. Marker can be reached from North Broadway Street south of East Broad Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is mounted just to the left of the Old Main front entrance,

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near the center of the Iowa Wesleyan University campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant IA 52641, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Iowa Wesleyan College (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Iowa Wesleyan College (within shouting distance of this marker); Belle Babb Mansfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes For Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Das Deutsches Kollegium (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Harlan (about 500 feet away); Harlan Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Pleasant.

Also see . . .
1. The P.E.O. Sisterhood. The P.E.O. Sisterhood, founded on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University, is a philanthropic educational organization interested in bringing women increased opportunities for higher education. Begun as a campus society and developed in its formative years by Iowa Wesleyan alumnae and Mt. Pleasant members, P.E.O. has grown to currently over 300,000 initiated members in nearly 6,000 local chapters across the United States and Canada. (Submitted on July 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. P.E.O. Sisterhood (Wikipedia).

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

2. P.E.O. Sisterhood Founded Marker

(Old Main entrance in background)

The Sisterhood was founded as a seven-member sorority at Iowa Wesleyan University. It was the second sorority to be founded in the U.S., after I. C. Sorosis (now known as Pi Beta Phi) in Monmouth, Illinois in April 1867. The founding members were Mary Allen [Stafford], Ella Stewart, Alice Bird [Babb], Hattie Briggs [Bousquet], Franc Roads [Elliott], Alice Virginia Coffin, and Suela Pearson [Penfield]. The organization was originally rooted in the philosophy and institutions of the Methodist Church, which actively promoted women's rights and education in America during the 19th century. (Submitted on July 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. P.E.O. Birthplace. These 10 sites are important pieces of the history of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. (Submitted on July 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

4. Old Main (Iowa Wesleyan University) (Wikipedia). Old Main is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, #73000727. Built in 1854, it is the second building constructed on the campus after Pioneer Hall, and believed to be the first genuine collegiate building built in Iowa. It was designed to have classrooms on the first two floors and the library, natural history museum and chapel on the third floor. (Submitted on July 24, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Old Main, Iowa Wesleyan University image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

3. Old Main, Iowa Wesleyan University

(marker visible just to the left of front entrance) The second floor music classroom is the location of the founding of the P.E.O. Sisterhood on January 21, 1869. The building opened for classes in the fall of 1855. Old Main is the heart of campus today and is the oldest collegiate classroom facility, built for that sole purpose and still in use, west of the Mississippi River.

P.E.O. Memorial Library Building, Iowa Wesleyan University image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2021

4. P.E.O. Memorial Library Building, Iowa Wesleyan University

(½ block southeast of marker, on North Main Street)On September 27, 1927, the P.E.O. Memorial Library was dedicated to honor P.E.O.’s seven Founders. This building was a joint venture between Iowa Wesleyan and P.E.O. In the interior rotunda of the main entrance, the names of the seven Founders are recorded on a bronze tablet gifted by Chapter Original A. Their leadership spirit is remembered by seven hand-painted panels in the domed skyscape.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.