Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars
Board Members
President
Board Buddy to: I, J, L, S, Z, AA, AH, AG, & AK
Cindy Fry, Ch AD
22898 Cog Hill Drive
Athens, AL 35613
(256) 683-3890
E-mail: cindyfrypeo@gmail.com
Born and raised in Columbus, GA, it never dawned on me that there was a world outside of there. That is, until I met my future husband, Chris. He introduced me to the military and we lived 21 years traveling all over this beautiful world. I was blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom and be involved in every opportunity that arose with my 3 children, which included but was not limited to being a home room mom, volunteer coordinator, PTA, band boosters, etc. We retired from the military, moved to Madison in 2002, and began our “civilian” life.
Shortly after arriving, I met several women who seemed to have a special something. I couldn’t put my finger on it but knew that when I was around them, they brought out the best in me. They loved, they laughed, they cared, they listened, and they were accepting of my faults. They were P.E.O., living out our Objects and Aims.
I was given the gift of P.E.O. through these women and was initiated into Chapter Z, Huntsville in 2006. I happily jumped in with both feet and have never looked back. Founded on friendship and aligning with my belief in our God, P.E.O. is my happy place. In chapter Z, I held offices of Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President. I served on many chapter committees. For the State of Alabama, I have chaired the E.L.F. committee and worked with Auditing as well the Committee to Approve Minutes.
My biggest joy came in 2013 when I helped charter Chapter AL, Madison. Introducing new women to the “special something” which had drawn me to P.E.O. so many years earlier was very important to me and I knew this special gift should always be shared. Holding the office of President for these amazing women allowed me to receive the love and encouragement that P.E.O. exemplifies. I transfered into Chapter AD in 2020. As P.E.O. sisters do, they showered me with love which continues to propel me forward.
Outside of P.E.O., my other passion is a small church in Montana that ministers to a Native American reservation. For the past 8 years, I have taken an annual pilgrimage there to share the gospel and to shower God’s love on these children. Their world is very dark and hopeless and I am honored to have been called to do something as simple as smile and laugh with them.
So, who is Cindy Fry? I consider myself a Christian, a wife, a mother, and a P.E.O. I love P.E.O. It’s foundation, ideals and mission excite me and I love sharing it with those around me. I love to laugh, to learn, to share, to listen, and to comfort those who share with me. I love to be organized yet am always up for something spontaneous. Family is VERY important to me. I play golf, enjoy travelling, and have a yappy dog.
I am thrilled to be a member of the Alabama State Board. My AL sisters encourage me every day as well as shower me with their love. I hope to bring this same love and encouragement to all of you. My wish is that P.E.O. is your happy place as it is for me. Let’s search our hearts and take this journey together to make this happen.
Elaine Bassett, Ch AF
108 Deerfield Drive
Troy, AL 36081
334-372-7329 c
334-566-4531 h
An only child, I was born in Columbus, Georgia, but moved to the country in Barbour County, Alabama, when I was twelve. There I spent wonderful years living next door to my grandmother, who taught me to cook, sew, grow vegetables, work hard, take care of people, and love Jesus. Even as a young girl, I knew I wanted to be a teacher, so when I finished high school, I headed to Troy State University to get an education degree. I finished my master’s degree and was invited to stay on as an instructor, and I discovered that I absolutely loved teaching composition and grammar to college freshmen. I also discovered that I absolutely loved one of the other instructors at the University, a cute linguistics professor named Marvin Bassett. Luckily, he felt the same, so we got married!
I took some time off from teaching to raise a family, two precious girls: Katie (who is now my sister in Chapter AF and who gifted our family with her precious husband, Kevin) and Mellie. Definitely, the best job I have ever had was being mama to these two. After they were both in school, I went back to Troy University and continued teaching. After a few years I moved to the Writing Center and served as its director for almost twenty-five years. I was involved in many academic organizations and honor societies, but nothing ever influenced me as much as my involvement with a small group called P.E.O.
One of my church choir buddies, who was a founding member of Chapter AF, told me about P.E.O., and I was intrigued. After meeting other members, I was sure I wanted to be a part of this special group. I was initiated into Chapter AF in 2005 and have enjoyed serving the chapter in almost every officer position and committee. You can imagine my delight when I found out that I would also be able to serve on the state level. I am beyond excited.
In addition to P.E.O., I am active in the Troy First United Methodist Church where I sing in the choir and teach Sunday school. I also work with the Troy University Foundation as chair of two scholarship committees. I think everyone, especially women who face their own unique set of challenges, deserves the opportunity to improve his/her life through education. If I can help someone succeed in that endeavor, then I also have succeeded.
I have a good life. I’m still in love with my husband after forty years, and we are still each other’s best friend. My children live close by, so I get to see them often, and they even still enjoy coming to see mama and daddy! I am also GaGa to a grandson, Ben, who always lifts my heart and makes me smile. I have been blessed with much love from my family, my friends, and especially my sisters in P.E.O. I love God and trust in His loving care for me, and I see my job in life as sharing that love with others. Life has not been without its troubles, heartaches, pain, and grief, but it has also given me much joy, love, and fulfillment, and for that I am very thankful.
Vice President
Board Buddy to: C, G, N, Q, X, AC, AD, & AM
Organizer
Board Buddy to: M, P, U, V, AE, AL, AN, & AO
Cel Bailey, D
1124 Forest Brook Drive
Birmingham, AL 35226
205-937-1505 c
Roots give us a sense of identity that strengthens us to go through life and helps us feel grounded with a sense of meaning. My young parents welcomed me into this world on a very cold Thanksgiving eve at my grandparents’ home in the rural Southwest Alabama community of Dottelle. It is here where I learned 1) to cherish drinking icy cold well water out of a dipper, 2) the purpose of a slop jar and outhouse, 3) how wonderful smokehouse cracklins were, 4) how to make and sunbake mud pies, 5) to save every penny I could for the world’s best rolling store candy, 6) to pick out school clothes from the Sears catalog that would eventually provide my dream home and paper dolls, and 7) how to perfectly roll my grandfather’s cigarettes. This is also where I had my first exposure to money management from daily wages in a neighbor’s cotton patch. Life was blissfully simple in those days!
My high school days were spent studying, cheerleading, working in a local grocery store, and helping my mom, a single parent care for my three younger siblings. While some of my classmates were busy filling out college applications my junior year, I reconciled myself to taking my place next to my mother at Vanity Fair Mills. At the persistence of an older friend, I reluctantly entered the local County Junior Miss Pageant. Surprisingly, I found myself representing our county in the State Junior Miss Pageant far from Monroe County in the largest city I had ever visited—Birmingham, AL. It was obvious God had other plans for me. With the county winner’s scholarship and a second state scholarship, my mother and I traveled up Highway 5 to a school by the name of Judson College, a name I had never heard of in a town I had never heard of!
Attending Judson was lifechanging for me! What was to be one year of college paid for by two Junior Miss scholarships, $200 I had earned that summer, and my work study as school switchboard operator, library assistant and dining room girl turned into four remarkable years when I graduated with a degree in biology and chemistry. I departed those hallowed halls well equipped with substantial leadership skills, a much stronger faith, and many lasting bonds of sisterly love. I also met a handsome young Marion Military Institute cadet during my freshman year; whom I became engaged to my senior year.
After graduating from Judson College, I completed my internship in Medical Technology at Birmingham Baptist Hospitals. During my internship, I squeezed in enough time to marry that cadet. I retired in 2014 after enjoying a 43-year career as Blood Bank supervisor at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in Birmingham.
The true center of my life is my BIL of 50 years, Tim, 3 children, Courtney 43, Christopher 41, Caroline 39, 7 grandchildren who melt my heart when they call me “MuMu” and our 4-legged furry babies.
Service through volunteerism has been the cornerstone for our family through the years as we have sought God’s guidance with giving our hands to serve and our hearts to love in our church, our community and beyond with our commitment to lifelong service. Hebrews 13:36 says “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” In my spare time, I am quite the avid sports fan! I also love baking, antiquing, bird watching, surface gardening, playing bunco and bridge, and I savor quality time with our children and grandchildren.
Prior to 2014, I had never heard of P.E.O. Two church friends presented me the gift of P.E.O. that year when they initiated me into Chapter D as a 1st generation sister. I was filled with excitement and joy knowing it was a golden opportunity to “PAY IT FORWARD” in reaching out to women in hopes of awakening their potential and enabling them to open doors to a brilliant and fulfilling future as was done for me 48 years earlier! Little did I know when I took those first small steps, it would lead me to this point in my journey! Chapter D has provided me with many opportunities to develop and learn leadership skills in a nurturing, loving atmosphere where their loving hands have steadfastly held my hand as I promoted our projects, served in chapter and state leadership positions, hosted our Reciprocity leadership workshop, embraced other sisters, and offered the gift of P.E.O. to women near and far.
As I swap writer’s cramp for a trusty calculator and spreadsheet, I remain amazed at how quickly my first year on the State Board has passed by. Reflecting on my first year, I have experienced incredible and most heart-warming moments. And YES...I have, at times, been the board member looking a little bug-eyed and uncertain. In spite of those times, I’ve enjoyed an incredible fairy-tale year! Being a Board Buddy has brought such joy and laughter to my soul! I am deeply appreciative to my BIL who has chauffeured me all over Alabama for P.E.O. functions, faithfully cooked our meals when I needed to “Be P.E.O” and camped in his man-cave while I ZOOMED P.E.O. I am so THANKFUL to our Board and the PSPs for their shepherding, encouragement, and grace that they have so freely showered me with this year.
Paige McCormick, Ch AC
28 Cherokee Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
(205)344-3096 (cell)
E-mail: peopaige@gmail.com
My story begins in Eku, a village in Nigeria, where early Baptist missionaries founded a hospital and nursing school as well as a school to train pastors, where my parents would eventually work. I was born at this hospital the year following Nigeria’s independence from England. It was an exciting time to grow up in this “new” country, where I attended preschool at the newly built University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Except for fourth and ninth grades in Boaz, Alabama, where my mother had grown up, I attended Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria, an international boarding school. After graduating, I attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and completed a BA in History and English. I continued with a Master of Divinity at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.I then embarked on a lifelong career in education, first at Wake Technical Community College as an instructor and later as the associate director for Adult Basic Skills. While working, I completed my MLS at North Carolina State University, exploring my academic interests in African literature and film, along with another very important project, the birth of my daughter. At the time, my husband had completed his PhD at UNC, Chapel Hill, and was hired by Stillman College in Tuscaloosa. With our young daughter, we were eager to be near our Alabama families again. I continued my academic pursuits at The University of Alabama, receiving my PhD in Post-colonial Theory and Anglophone African Literature. After graduating, I taught eight years as a full-time English instructor at UA. Six years ago, I accepted an Associate Professor position at Stillman College, and currently serve as the Chair of the Department of English, Journalism, and Media Communications.
I was given the gift of P.E.O. from Gayle Howell (PSP) and the loving sisters of Chapter AC in Tuscaloosa. During my ten years in P.E.O. I have held the offices of guard, chaplain, corresponding secretary, vice-president, and president.. Each office has taught me valuable skills that prepared me to become a state officer. As an educator, P.E.O. is a perfect fit for me! I know the importance of achieving academic degrees that empower women to make a difference in the world. In Nigeria, I saw how families sacrificed much to ensure that all of their children attended school. I see this same passion in our IPS recipients. As a P.E.O. I am able through the power of us all to help students here and around the world achieve their dreams.
I am married to an amazing BIL, Mark McCormick, Provost and Vice-President, Stillman College. I am so proud that our daughter Gwenafaye McCormick is also a P.E.O. (2019 AC/AL). She lives in Kaiyo, Japan, and works as a Coordinator of International Relations through the JET Program.
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Treasurer
Board Buddy to: E, H, O, W, AB, AF, AI, & AJ
Nancy Newton, Ch AJ
106 Callen Drive
Madison, AL 35756
(719)428-9360 (cell)
E-mail: nancynewton.peo@gmail.com
Secretary
Board Buddy to: A, B, D, F, K, R, T, & Y
I was born in Henry County, Virginia to parents who had married late due to my dad’s service in World War II. My brother and I were raised in a small town with strong ties to family and our Episcopal Church.
I started my academic career at Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville, Virginia. I transferred to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (now known as Virginia Tech) to complete my degree and to be a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. In later years, I would go on to obtain a master’s degree in Space Systems Operations and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership.
In 1977, as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, I was assigned to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Peterson AFB, Colorado (the same place depicted in the movie “War Games”). I served in the USAF for nearly 8 years (in Colorado and Thule Air Base, Greenland.) Work in my military days was primarily detecting, tracking, and cataloging satellites. After leaving active duty, I became an Air Force Civilian Employee engaged in war planning, military wargames, field exercise design, and joint service training. My final assignment was as Chief of Plans and Exercises for 21st Space Wing, Peterson AFB CO.
It was at the 21st Space Wing I found the P.E.O. world. My office next door neighbor, Lt Col LJ Van Belkum (now retired and PSP Colorado), introduced me to P.E.O. with Chapter K, Manitou Springs. LJ went on to charter a new chapter in Colorado Springs (Chapter JA). I served as Recording Secretary in the start-up phase and then as Vice President once we were organized. Also, in that time at the Wing, I married my wonderful husband, David and was blessed to be stepmom to his adorable daughter Amanda. Yes, David is a Rocket Scientist. He has launched Space Shuttles and is now working on Artemis, our next moon rocket.
Finally, once I retired (early) from the government we made the big move to the Huntsville area to be close to our moms who were both in bad health. We had been in our first Alabama house, way out in Toney, AL about 10 days and I found Mary Wiley’s business card and a note on my front door. The rest is history. Chapter AJ welcomed me with open arms and big hearts. These are some of the most amazing and talented sisters.