Sisters Bessie Louise Pierce and Anne Elise Pierce were members of the University of Iowa chapter of Alpha Xi Delta. Bessie graduated in 1910 and Anne in 1927.
Bessie Louise Pierce, Ph.D.
Daily Iowan, May 19, 1922
Although Bessie Louise Pierce was born in Caro, Michigan on April 20, 1888, she spent her formative years in Iowa. Bessie earned Phi Beta Kappa honors at the University of Iowa. For six years, she taught high school history in Sanborn and Mason City, Iowa. According to a 1940 article, “A very small woman, Bessie Louise Pierce did not let her lack of size make any difference. She handled her classes easily, getting along especially well with her pupils. But nobody was allowed to get out of line, for the hard working history teacher could be firm and brooked no monkey business at any time.”
University of Iowa, 1925
Daily Iowan. April 21, 1922.
Bessie began teaching at the University of Iowa in 1916. She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago taking courses during the summer. Her Ph.D. is from the University of Iowa where she worked with working with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Sr. She became Dr. Bessie Louise Pierce in 1923. As a faculty member at Iowa from 1916-29, she found time to serve as an Alumna Advisor to the Alpha Xi Delta chapter.
In 1929, she headed east to teach American history at the University of Chicago. There, as in Iowa, she was involved in many projects and organizations. A book, As Others See Chicago, was published in 1933 in conjunction with the Century of Progress. Bessie was the author of what was to have been a five-volume set on the history of the city. She retired in 1954 and the third volume was published in 1957. Bessie was at work on the fourth volume when she died in 1974 at the age of 86. Her books are back in print courtesy of the University of Chicago Press.
Among the honors bestowed on Bessie was an honorary degree from Northwestern University in 1954 and a Distinguished Citizen of Chicago award in 1960.
Bessie Louise Pierce
Anne Elise Pierce
Anne Elise Pierce was born on March 14, 1892. She earned a degree from the American Conservatory of Music in 1920 and a master’s in 1928 as well as a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1927 and a master’s from Columbia University. Anne joined the Alpha Xi Delta chapter at the University of Iowa. She, like her sister Bessie, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Anne E. Pierce
Anne taught music at University Schools from 1917-19 and then spent a few years teaching at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. For three years starting in 1923, she sung professionally and taught voice in New York City. From 1926 until 1955 she was head of the Music Department at the University School at the University of Iowa.
The author of several books on music education, Anne was very active in professional music organizations. In 1927, she was the principal speaker and guest conductor of the Illinois All-State chorus consisting of 600 students at a meeting of the Illinois Music Educators’ conference.
Anne Pierce retired in 1955 and died on July 10, 1967 at the age of 77. She “dedicated herself to excellence in music education,” according to a published tribute.
