F-44
Founders’ Day Program
Founders in Song
Note: Please contact the State Recording Secretary for the Sheet Music that is part of this program.
This year marks the _________ anniversary of the founding of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, beginning with
the seven Founders—whom we honor today. (P.E.O. was founded in 1869)
For some of us, no matter how many times we hear their stories, it’s easy to confuse one Founder
with another, perhaps because we learn of the seven as a group. Yet, as we do remember, they
definitely were different from one another, each with distinct personality and ability.
We challenge you once again with remembrances of the Founders, this time from the seven
themselves—in word and song. . . .
So, let’s hear it from you, Sisters . . . we’ll begin with Mary Allen Stafford. Please give us her story . . .
MARY ALLEN (STAFFORD)
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Mary stood well in her classes; she chose classical courses.
She had good taste in dress, and made smart clothes look better.
Her cheerfulness and sense of humor made her popular with the boys.
She married a Methodist minister; her home was a place where we loved to gather; where there
was love, laughter, and understanding.
5. She is best known for her wise and kindly interpretation of P.E.O. laws.
6. She stressed the importance of Proper Procedure.
Song: “Something to Remember You By”
ALICE BIRD (BABB)
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Alice was a brilliant student with a tremendous knowledge of literature.
She was an expert in Latin and Greek, and taught both for four years.
She was a forceful reader and a writer too, and wrote our first pledge.
With her ready pen, she helped a great deal with early phraseology.
She was especially effective at Grand Chapter in the preparation of resolutions, laws, and
ceremonies.
6. She had dark, piercing eyes. And she could sing, too!
Song: “Jeepers Creepers”
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HATTIE BRIGGS (BOUSQUET)
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Hattie was modest and retiring and always receptive to the needs of others.
Everyone who knew her loved her because she made them feel comfortable.
She taught music and art.
She was a leader in church affairs.
She was a leader in campus activities.
With her cheerful nature, we remember her best for her radiant smile.
Song: “Smile”
ALICE VIRGINIA COFFIN
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Alice was a devoted, imaginative teacher, deeply conscious of the needs of her students.
She was an excellent seamstress.
She’s the one who suggested our star!
She was perceptive, cheerful, kind, and generous.
A tall, stately brunette, we all thought she and Will Pearson were the best couple!
And how she loved to dance!
Song: “The Band Played On”
SUELA PEARSON (PENFIELD)
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A spirit of gaiety surrounded Suela (Su-ee’-la) – She was charming and gracious.
She was an excellent musician and a talented singer.
She rivaled Allie Bird as a reader.
She was outstanding in dramatics— Elocution, we call it.
By far, she was the most beautiful and popular of all of us.
Song: “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby”
FRANC ROADS (ELLIOTT)
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Franc took life seriously and had dignity and poise.
We needed her character in the building of P.E.O.
She became a devotee of art and acquired fame in it.
She was interested in changing social conditions and the advancement of women.
Her strong convictions in these areas led her to ‘get in there’ and ‘do something’ about them.
Song: “Stout-Hearted Men”
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ELLA STEWART
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Ella was of Irish descent and had that Irish wit.
She was quick at repartee, and a general favorite at all social functions.
She played the piano and sang, too!
On the serious side, she loved all people and showed it with a life of service.
This love of people and discipline served her well during her eight years at the Boys Industrial
School at Eldora.
Song: “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”
So, the seven young girls, briefly described here, laid the foundation of the extraordinary organization
called P.E.O. How could they have known that ______years later their ideals and aspirations would
continue to inspire more than 252,000 women internationally; that P.E.O.s could support a college;
that its philanthropic projects in million-dollar amounts help hundreds of thousands of women here
and abroad gain or continue their education?!
We can indeed be proud to be a part of such an organization . . . yet let us be ever mindful of the
awesome responsibility to do our part in continuing the course set forth so lovingly by our founders.
(Following are the lyrics to the songs. Make copies to pass out to members for “sing-along”)
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FOUNDERS’ DAY SONGS
SOMETHING TO REMEMBER YOU BY
(Mary Ellen Stafford)
Oh, give me something to remember you by
When you are far away from me,
Mar(y) your home life set a fine example to me
Where friends could gather graciously.
You were studious, choosing classical;
Yet you kept the most vital thing:
Your sense of humor!
So give me something to remember you by,
When you are far away from me.
Oh, give me something to remember you by
When I’m conducting a meeting
Some wise interpretation of P.E.O.
No matter where I chance to be.
Though I’ll slip at times—botch or fail at times
It will see me through like a charm:
PROPER PROCEDURE!
So, give me something to remember you by,
When you are far away from me.
JEEPERS CREEPERS
(Alice Bird Babb)
Jeepers creepers! Where’d ya get such talent?
Jeepers creepers! Where’d ya get those eyes?
Literature! How’d you get that knowledge?
Phraseology! How’d you get so wise?
Reader, gee! Classics were your specialty
Singer whee! Wesleyan’s voice music’ly
Latin, Greek, too! Teaching both for years
Your good judgment helped direct Grand Chapter,
P.E.O.’s grand prize!
SMILES
(Hattie Briggs)
There are smiles that make us happy,
There were smiles from Hattie, too;
She had smiles, both modest and retiring
That gain’d friends, as all around her knew.
In her field she taught both art and music
Led in church and campus, actively
She was tuned to special needs of others
She gave smiles to you and me.
THE BAND PLAYED ON
(Alice Coffin)
Willy would waltz with a stately brunette,
And the band played on.
This brunette was a teacher, perceptive, devoted
In the classroom.
When she enter’d the chapel one day
(THE BAND PLAYED ON, continued)
She had pin’d to her apron her bright golden star
Her generous nature, so cheerful and kind,
Led her students on.
Willy would waltz with a stately brunette,
And the band played on.
He’d glide ‘cross the floor, with the girl he adored.
And the band played on.
But his type was not hers, she decided one day,
So the smart girl declared she would leave.
He’d ne’er see the girl with her lovely brown curls
And the band played on.
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY
(Suela Pearson)
You must have been a beautiful baby,
A charmer, gay and gracious and wise,
When you were only ent’rin
The school at Iowa Wesley’n.
I bet you were the student boys’ prize.
And when it came to winning blue ribbons,
Your elocution was excellent.
Of the sisters you were known
As most popular of all,
And yet no one was jealous, bent,
Oh, you must have made some beautiful music,
‘Cause look where P.E.O. went.
STOUT-HEARTED MEN (Franc Roads)
Give me some gals who are stout-hearted gals,
Who will fight for the right they adore.
Gals just like Franc,
Who will change social wrongs,
And crusade women’s causes galore, oh!
Social conditions advancement of women
Were causes she dared not ignore,
Art was something in the world that chose her fancy, too,
Poised and dignified, she conquer’d all she chose to do!
WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME
(Ella Stewart)
When Ella is teaching wayward boys, hurrah, hurrah!
She gives them a diciplin’d, courageous lift, hurrah, hurrah!
The men will cheer, the boys will shout
The ladies they will all turn out,
And we all feel gay ‘cause Ella’s in P.E.O.
When Ella is teaching piano, hurrah, hurrah!
She’s lively and bright and witty, too, hurrah, hurrah!
She loves all people and ‘cause of this
She tugs the heartstrings of ev’ryone
And we all feel gay ‘cause Ella’s in P.E.O
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