Vitality Blooms in P.E.O.

Ellen Bogard, the author, discovered the meaning of sisterhood as her chapter supported her through life challenges and placed their confidence in her as chapter president.

My dear friend and soul sister, Claudette Greene Apperson, M, Huntsville, Alabama, approached me about P.E.O. six months after my husband passed away in 2007. I was still a caregiver as my 90-year-old mother was living with me. Claudette told me about this wonderful group of women who support each other and raise money to support education. She mentioned how her then-chapter, JZ, Illinois, members were mostly retired teachers and I would fit right in. Well, I was not interested as I had only one semester of college and was sure all these degreed women would judge my lack of education. After all, that was the focus of their organization. Her persistence paid off though, and in November of 2007 I was initiated into P.E.O. Much to my amazement, I knew several of the members, one of them a friend of several years who had never mentioned P.E.O. to me. As I sat back for the first year listening and watching, I discovered the meaning of sisterhood. I was nurtured by my sisters and helped to grow in confidence. I attended a Convention of Illinois State Chapter as a delegate and became even more impressed by the scope of the Sisterhood. Joining committees helped to further my understanding of how the P.E.O. Sisterhood works and I now felt comfortable adding my thoughts and ideas to discussions. I bloomed where I was planted because of P.E.O.!

Then came judgement out of the blue—Chapter JZ judged me fit to serve as their vice president; then as their president in 2016! Though not sure I was up to the task, I forged ahead with the support of my sisters. Added support came from my daughter, Tracy, (who had recently moved back home) when she became a member of Chapter JZ during my tenure. And as luck would have it, our chapter sister, Ann Bowen, was to be installed as president of Illinois State Chapter so it proved to be a very busy, productive, fun and fulfilling year. My presidency was such a satisfying time in my life and I thank my sisters for the confidence they placed in me.

In 2021, my daughter Tracy was diagnosed with ALS. The following year she had to quit her job. As a contract employee, she never had health insurance. She did start receiving SSDI, but the cost of equipment to help ease her life was enormous and it was difficult to keep a positive attitude with the worry of medical bills hanging overhead. She applied for, and was granted, $2,400 from the Illinois Lulu Corkhill Williams Friendship Fund, which not only gave her financial help for equipment, but also gave her a much-needed boost in spirit. As a former athletic trainer, she knew what she needed to do to keep her muscles from atrophying. She was a fighter and did all she could to overcome her diagnosis and become the 57th documented case to be cured. I, once again, became a caregiver; as Tracy began to decline, my sisters stepped up with daily help. They became her social outlet, her physical therapists (with Tracy directing the therapy) and my moral and spiritual support. I could not have done it without them.

Tracy died in March of 2023 and, again, my sisters supported me while I grieved the loss of my daughter; while we all grieved the loss of a sister who will always be remembered as one who brought a new vitality and sparkle to our chapter.

Now I once again find myself serving as president of Chapter JZ. I see a renewed vitality in our chapter. We have applicants for P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, P.E.O. STAR Scholarship, P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education and P.E.O. Scholar Awards. We initiated one sister in March and are currently working with six other women who have been invited to our roundtable and other social events. I see new names signed up for committees. The atmosphere at our monthly meetings is positive and joyful. We have a positive energy flowing. As our Illinois State President, Nancy Caldwell stated in recent remarks -“Guided by the Stars: Blaze a Trail in P.E.O. I can’t wait to see where you will go!” Me too, Nancy!

And thank you, Claudette, for guiding me into the Sisterhood!