Last Friday was a very special day for me. I attended the convention of Ohio State Chapter of P.E.O. My Kappa Kappa Gamma friend, Kylie Smith, presided. We are both history nerds and we have attended the Fraternity and Sorority Archivists meeting. Several years ago, when she told me that she was on the Ohio State Chapter’s Executive Board, I marveled that she would be presiding during P.E.O.’s 150th year.
At some point, she asked if I would consider speaking at the President’s Banquet and I, of course, said yes. As the date grew closer and a formal invitation to speak was sent to me, my life was not my own. I was in the throes of taking care of my father and I had to decline most every opportunity to do much of anything. Kylie said not to worry. She had a Plan B if my life situation prohibited me from being there. She’s flexible that way and I said yes.
And so it was that I ended up at the hotel in Worthington, Ohio. After quickly making my way to my room, I took the stairs down to the first floor and ended up in the middle of nowhere. That was a good thing because as I walked down a hall, I heard my name. Lo and behold, it was Kylie. I had happened upon the room where the Executive Board was meeting prior to convention and they were just finishing up lunch. She suggested we get a picture before things began.
I’ve written about the first President of Ohio State Chapter of P.E.O., Julia Bishop Coleman. She was also a founder of Delta Zeta. Kylie follows in the footsteps of at least one other Kappa. Sue Baker, the current President of International Chapter of P.E.O., is a Kappa and Past President of Ohio State Chapter. The official visitor to Ohio State Convention was Kay Ebert. Her biological sister Gail Owen, an Illinois P.E.O., is currently serving as President of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
I know there were many sorority women among the attendees at the convention. After my talk a number of Pi Phis came up to introduce themselves. And I sat at a table with several of Kylie’s Kappa friends, including one of whom’s mother was a Pi Phi.
It was wonderful seeing Kylie preside with her humor, grace, and loving concern for her Ohio sisters. I enjoyed meeting her mom, aunt, friends, and husband, too. My thanks to Kylie and the Ohio State Chapter board and members for inviting me and making it one of the highlights of my year.
