Our Roots

The Monmouth, Illinois, Alumnae Club was chartered in 1916 by several Illinois Alpha women living in the town. At their first meeting, four of the founders—Inez Smith Soule, Jennie Horne Turnbull, Emma Brownlee Kilgore and Clara Brownlee Hutchinson—were in attendance. Membership was comprised of sisters living in the area and up to 35 miles away, and for philanthropy, the club decided to sew in support of a new hospital.