From collection Member List
Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley, 1909) was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She enrolled in the School of Architecture at the University of California, where she joined Eta Chapter (California-Berkeley). She was Eta Chapter President during 1911, and she attended the 1911 Convention as the chapter delegate.
After graduating, Penelope taught boys engineering and architectural drawing at a Los Angeles high school. She eventually married George Metcalfe Simonson, and the couple moved to Sacramento, California, where they had two children. She was active in community affairs and performed personnel work for a Community Chest agency, along with other philanthropic work.
Penelope had a long record of service and devotion to Gamma Phi Beta. Before their family moved away from Sacramento, she organized the Sacramento Alumnae Chapter and served as its president. Penelope also served as president of the Berkeley Alumnae Chapter, Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta and chairman of finance through the years. Penelope was elected Grand President in 1946 and served until 1950.
After graduating, Penelope taught boys engineering and architectural drawing at a Los Angeles high school. She eventually married George Metcalfe Simonson, and the couple moved to Sacramento, California, where they had two children. She was active in community affairs and performed personnel work for a Community Chest agency, along with other philanthropic work.
Penelope had a long record of service and devotion to Gamma Phi Beta. Before their family moved away from Sacramento, she organized the Sacramento Alumnae Chapter and served as its president. Penelope also served as president of the Berkeley Alumnae Chapter, Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta and chairman of finance through the years. Penelope was elected Grand President in 1946 and served until 1950.
Related Items
1948-1950 Grand Council Photograph, 1948
The women in this photograph are (from left to right) Anna Marion Bebb Howe (Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1920), Ursula Smith Owen (Syracuse, 1918), Ruth Wood, Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley, 1909), Evelyn Dippell, and Mar…
Penny Simonson to Fellow Workers in the Vineyard Letter, December 6, 1966
Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley) writes to Ardis McBroom Marek (Northwestern), Bory Reid, and Eleanor Sieg about culling the Gamma Phi Beta archive.
Betty G. Kinney Stables to Mrs. Simonson Letter, May 19, 1963
Betty G. Kinney Stables (Wichita State) writes to Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley 1909) to send the book, In the College Days: A Group of Monologues by Lindsey Barbee (Denver 1897), which she found in the estate of her husba…
Penny to Bea Wittenberg Memo, June 4, 1963
Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley 1909) writes to Beatrice Hill Wittenberg (Stanford 1923) about the outdated book written by Lindsey Barbee (Denver 1897) sent to the archives.
Grand Council of Gamma Phi Beta Loyalty Pledge, November 4, 1949
This document lists the rules and regulations Gamma Phi Beta members must agree to in order to become members. It has been signed by six members of the International Council.
Penny Simonson to Sistern Letter, June 3, 1971
Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley) writes to Mary Glendon Trussell (Northwestern) and Eleanor Sieg about historical items she found in an old file.
Mary Tom to Penny Memo, September 1, 1960
Mary Tom (last name unknown) writes to Penelope Murdoch Simonson (California-Berkeley) to ask about her opinion on getting involved with California state colleges.
