P.E.O. Record
Lynn Rymarz Brings History to Life
Those in attendance for the Opening Night program at the 2009 Convention of International Chapter in San Diego were treated to a mesmerizing performance by P.E.O. Lynn Rymarz, IM, Barrington, Illinois, who portrayed Founder Franc Roads Elliott. Rather than standing at a podium and reading a speech by one of the original seven, Lynn dressed in period costume and recited from memory her original script. In character, she recounted the founding of the Sisterhood and shared what she imagines might be Franc's progressive thoughts for the future of P.E.O. Lynn embodied the spirit of Franc as she strode confidently around the stage, emoting and gesturing with the passion we imagine Franc possessed for the Sisterhood that she helped form.
Lynn's passion for much of her life has been for history and storytelling. In grade school she enjoyed creative writing and reading biographies of famous women such as Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale and Madame Curie. After she graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, she became a fourth grade teacher. She taught for six years then took a break when her sons were born. Reading to her sons at bedtime ignited her love of children's books. As a volunteer for her church's drama ministry, Lynn wrote, directed and acted in performances for children, which led her to write historical stories for children's magazines including “Cricket” and “Highlights.”
In 2005 Lynn's interest in history and storytelling expanded to entertaining audiences with portrayals of historical women. Lynn has created and performed monologues in character as Mary Pickersgill, Martha Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln, Nellie Bly, Susan B. Anthony, Madame Curie, Mary Cassatt, Rosa Parks and, of course Franc Roads Elliott.
Introduced to P.E.O. by Kris Howard Johnson, her friend from League of Women Voters, Lynn was initiated in 2006. Prior to joining P.E.O., Lynn had presented programs to other Illinois chapters. When she portrayed Nellie Bly for her own chapter, she drew the attention of Jennifer Garrels, daughter-in-law of soon-to-be International President, Elizabeth Garrels. Jennifer told her mother-in-law about Lynn's amazing work, which inspired Elizabeth to invite Lynn to portray Franc Roads Elliott for the Convention of International Chapter.
Lynn Rymarz asFranc Roads Elliott
Lynn was honored by the invitation and graciously accepted. As she does with all her roles, she thoroughly researched the part. Utilizing “Out of the Heart,” the 50th anniversary history book, articles from The Record and obituaries, Lynn learned all she could about Franc. However, the key to finding her voice as Franc was her trip to Mount Pleasant. “Going to Mount Pleasant set it all back in time for me,” said Lynn. “To sit by the stile with a friend, just as Franc sat with Hattie, really connected me to her.” Lynn visited the Memory Room in Old Main at Iowa Wesleyan College and even got to sit in the garden where Franc loved to spend time.
When Lynn took the stage as Franc in San Diego, she spoke to her year 2009 peers as Franc from the year 1919. In 1919, Franc, a 67-year-old grandmother of five, was a student at the University of California in Berkley. That year also marked the 50th anniversary of P.E.O. A Golden Jubilee Celebration was held in Denver, Colorado, where Franc appeared as a guest speaker. Franc, who was known as “the girl with the far vision,” gave a speech in Denver that is relevant today. She stated, “Our sisterhood needs to cooperate in all progressive measures and… live for the future rather than in retrospect.” Lynn, as Franc, told the audience (the largest she had ever performed for), “I would like to state that all of us original seven have been visionaries for believing P.E.O. into existence, although I do believe we never could have seen this far into the future to see what all of you, our dear sisters are doing in each of your individual chapters in states and provinces across the continent.” We can imagine that the Founders would be overwhelmed by how much their sisterhood has grown and what a far-reaching impact it has had on the lives of women all over the world.
“Franc” left the crowd with these inspirational parting words, “To all of you, my beloved sisters in P.E.O., may you leave here with your own new visions to build a brighter, bolder, better tomorrow.”
Lynn's captivating performance awed everyone in the ballroom that night. “I felt Franc's spirit with me that night,” said Lynn. “It was overwhelming to look out into the audience and see all my sisters. It was such an honor and a privilege to be at convention. Stepping into Franc's shoes is one of my fondest memories.”
During the days following Lynn's performance, she appeared in the convention hall at a small booth designed to look like Franc's art studio where there was an easel, a paint palette and several reproductions of Franc's paintings. Again dressed as Franc, Lynn greeted a steady stream of P.E.O.s. She was overwhelmed by the response people had to her portrayal of Franc. “I would love to recapture that time at convention,” she said. “I think I inspired people and that is beautiful for me to imagine.”
Lynn indeed inspired people and she will continue to do so as she presents her engaging, informative programs on women from history.
Lynn Rymarz's performance from Opening Night at the 2009 Convention of International Chapter can be seen on the Convention DVD that is now for sale. See page 18 for ordering information or visit peointernational.org where a transcript of Lynn's presentation is also available. For more information on Lynn and her historical portrayals of famous women, visit her website www.lynnrymarz.com. Since her performance in San Diego, Lynn has developed a full-blown program on Franc that includes a longer speech and photos she took in Mount Pleasant. She presented 70 programs in 2009 and anticipates being just as busy in 2010. Subjects of her upcoming programs include Margaret Mitchell and Dolly Madison. |