Janet Greig Post was born on November 21, 1871, in Fonda, in upstate New York. She grew up in Oneida, Illinois, and entered Knox College. There she became a member of the Epsilon Chapter of Delta Delta Delta. Although she was not a delegate to the first Tri Delta Convention held in 1893, she most likely attended the legislative sessions. She was indeed at the Panhellenic reception held at Armory Hall where she wore a yellow silk dress with lilies of the valley.
A graduate of the class of 1894, she spent two years studying in France and Germany. Much of her work was done at the Sorbonne in France. She also spent some time doing post-graduate work at the University of Chicago.
She returned to her alma mater where she served as an instructor in French and German before becoming the Dean of Women in 1898. She held that job until 1902, when she married Probate Judge Philip Post, who, at that time, was the youngest man on the Illinois bench. Years later in a Trident article, the wedding was “still remembered as a college and Delta Delta Delta affair with Delta bridesmaid and silver, gold and blur decorations, and the ceremony read by President McClelland of Knox.” Her husband was also a Knox alumnus and a member of Phi Gamma Delta.
During World War I, she worked with the Women’s Overseas Section of the National War Work Council, an affiliate branch of the YWCA. She also served the American Red Cross. The Knox Alumnus described her war work in the April 1918 issue. She had completed a course on what was being done in the Canadian military hospitals training as to the re-education of disabled soldiers.
The Posts moved to Winnetka, Illinois, when her husband joined the International Harvester Company. She was active in many Chicago clubs and was known as an “active clubwoman.” When Philip Post died in 1920, Janet Greig Post assumed her husband’s position on the Knox College Board of Trustees. She was the first woman to serve on the Knox Board of Trustees.
She remained a staunch supporter of both the college and her sorority chapter. There are accounts of her attending chapter and alumnae alliance events.
Her greatest contribution was leading the fundraising effort to celebrate Knox College’s 100th anniversary in 1937. She charged forward in a poor economic climate to raise funds to renovate Old Main. She wrote thousands of letters to alumni and supporters. Had she not done that it is quite possible that Old Main might not be around today. It is currently the only remaining site of a Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Post remained a member of the Board of Trustees until her death on January 24, 1964, at the age of 94. She and her husband are buried in Hope Cemetery in Galesburg, Illinois.
Knox College’s Janet Greig Post Leadership Society recognizes donors who give $10,000 or more annually to the college.
