Okemah, Okfuskee, OK - Okemah PEO - Club History

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted by:    Donna Barnes
Email address:   okfuskee@losdos.org
Date submitted:  5/16/1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
USGENWEB NOTICE:  In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free 
information on the Internet, this data may be used by noncommercial entities as 
long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may 
NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files 
by noncommercial entities and libraries is encouraged.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source:  Okemah Daily Leader, Friday, April 21, 1961 (reprint from March 26, 
1927)


Old Paper Tells of PEO Founding

     On Friday afternoon of March 25th, 1927, chapter BQ of P. O. E. Was 
organized at the home of Mrs. J. M. Pemberton. Mrs. Emma Kennedy had been 
appointed local organizer and was assisted by several P. E. O. Members residing 
in Okemah.

     Baskets of yellow and white Marguerites with bows of yellow tulle made the 
tables most attractive. The same color note was cleverly emphasized in the four 
course luncheon.

     Members of the Okmulgee chapter of the sisterhood assisted the state 
organizer in organizing the new chapter.

     Officers installed were president Mrs. Gus LeCompte; vice-president, Mrs. 
C. O. White, corresponding secretary, Mrs. Minnie Waller; recording secretary, 
Mrs. J. M. Pemberton; treasurer, Mrs. Kennedy; chaplain, Mrs. Mae Noble; guard, 
Mrs. W. H. Kretz. Mrs. Park Gibson was appointed pianist, Mrs. E. E. Parsons, 
historian; Mrs. Ida M. Hampton, parliamentarian. Other members were Mrs. Key 
John, Mrs. H. A. Dolen, Mrs. R. R. Jordan, Mrs. W. C. McIntosh, and Mrs. J. L. 
Mathews.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source:  P.E.O. in Oklahoma, 1909-1969, Oklahoma State Chapter P.E.O. 
Sisterhood, 1974


Local Chapter Histories:  Chapter Bq, Okemah

     Chapter BQ, Okemah, was sponsored by Lima B. Kennedy, Z, Okmulgee, and was 
organized by Glenn Raffety on March 25, 1927. Chapter Z, Okmulgee, assisted. 
Charter members were:

     Mrs. Emma B. Kennedy
     Mrs. Elizabeth C. Le Compte, BZ, Mo.
     Mrs. Manola J. Pemberton
     Mrs. Ida M. Hampton, P, Neb.
     Mrs. Ola Holloway Parsons
     Mrs. Mae Rose Noble, BR, Iowa
     Mrs. Nellie V. Dolen
     Mrs. Vera Jordan, T, OkIa.
     Mrs. Florine M. John
     Mrs. Eulalia B. White, AM, Mo.
     Mrs. Willie H. Matthews
     Mrs. Hester V. Kretz, CT, Mo.
     Mrs. Josie Gibson
     Mrs. Minnie B. Waller
     Mrs. Mamie T. McIntosh

     Chapter BQ has supported all National P.E.O. projects. Two girls, Azalea 
Bynum and Juanita Willis, received educational loans, and JoAnne Abshier was 
given a scholarship to Cottey College. Azalea graduated from O.S.U.

     Chapter BQ has been hostess to two state conventions at Bristow and 
McAlester, and has initiated fifty-two members under twenty-one presidents.

     Local projects have included help to needy families, aid to the hospital, 
library, and schools, talent shared by the community, and annual teas for high 
school girls. National projects, such as Kits for Soldiers, Gifts for Yanks, 
Clothing Drives, Red Cross, Care, Girl Scouts, and Cancer Drives, were 
supported. Trees were planted in the Okemah Cemetery, floats were decorated, and 
bouquets were sent to shut-ins by Chapter BQ.

     Chapter BQ had its usual social P.E.O. events along with the above generous 
donations to altruistic causes.