As Women’s History Month wraps up, it is a perfect time to reflect on remarkable women in our area. The Clarion chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) does this every year as they recognize a woman who exemplifies their mission: “to advance gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy.” This year, the group made a fantastic choice when they named Peggy O’Neill as their 2022 Woman of the Year.
Many people around Clarion know Margaret “Peggy” O’Neill from her frequent presence at city council meetings or perhaps from church or other civic activities, but her story and her calling in education have taken her far and wide.
O’Neill grew up in Clarion. Her father worked for the railroad and her mother was a teacher before she and her brother came along. She attended St. John’s, the local Catholic school, through eighth grade. She then moved to Clarion High School. “I felt like we got a remarkable education there,” O’Neill said. “I took classes in Latin and French.” She graduated in 1959.
The next part of her journey took O’Neill to Omaha, Nebraska to the College of St. Mary’s. She studied English and secondary education. “I wanted to be a classroom teacher,” she explained. She added though that she had considered law school, but female lawyers were still pretty rare at that time.
After college, O’Neill stayed in the Omaha area and began teaching in Bellevue. She enjoyed her time in the classroom, especially the international diversity around Offutt Air Force Base. “Kids can just be amazing,” she said. She taught in that area for ten years and became active in the local education association.
A fateful event then led O’Neill to different locales. She explained that she had decided to buy a house in the Bellevue area and approached a bank for a home loan. “Even though I was well-known in the area, I was told that I would need my father to sign the loan,” she said. Understandably displeased with such conditions, O’Neill let her teaching contract expire and like so many young ambitious folks before her had, she headed out west!
Her next landing spot was in Nevada. She would spend that next few decades in the Reno area in a small city called Sparks where she made a big impact. She taught at an alternative high school for several years where she loved the experience even though she was working with students with difficult backgrounds and circumstances. “It was a time to be really creative,” O’Neill said. “We just had so much fun. Those students were terrific young people who did very well.”
In the midst of her time in Sparks, in an interesting turn of events, O’Neill spent a very brief stint as a Nevada State Senator when the sitting senator resigned. “It was one session. I was on the education and neo-natal committees,” she explained. Considering O’Neill was always a politically active person and enjoyed the world of politics, this was an exciting time for her.
In the mid-90s, O’Neill decided to try something new. She left teaching and opened Peggy O’Neill’s Gifts and Home Accessories, a small home décor store. She became very active in the Sparks Chamber of Commerce, serving on many committees and even as the president in 1997.
In 2001, mere weeks before the events of 9/11, O’Neill decided to close her store. She decided to go back to teaching and headed for Vegas! She worked at the International Baccalaureate School. “I taught groups of academically talented students. I got to travel with them too. It was the best teaching job I ever had,” explained O’Neill. As evidenced by the many cards and mementos her students made for her during that time, they enjoyed their teacher as well.
In the years that followed, O’Neill’s path changed again. Within less than a year of each other, both her brother and mother passed away back in Iowa. “When I came back for my brother’s funeral, I experienced real smalltown goodness and support,” she emphasized. This helped solidify her decision to retire. She taught her last class in 2009.
She decided to make her way home to Clarion where she moved back into her parents’ house. But even though she was retired, she wasn’t ready to take up the rocking chair. As her good friend JoAnn Kramer put it, “Peggy is not one to let the grass grow under her.”
Indeed, she got busy around Clarion with various groups and organizations. One group that she helped found was the Clarion Pride Good Neighbor Association. Carolyn Bowman, who is in the community improvement group with O’Neill, says that Peggy was instrumental in spurring the group on and advocating at city council meetings. “Peggy has a way of convincing people to let us do work on their houses,” said Bowman. “She helped start the city clean up as well. Peggy is not afraid to get her hands dirty. She is just an outgoing, friendly, considerate concerned citizen.”
O’Neill is also very active in not one but three Toastmasters public speaking clubs in north central Iowa, including one at a prison in Fort Dodge that met regularly pre-COVID. Rhonda Benton participates in the local Wright-On Toastmasters with O’Neill. Benton explained how exceptional O’Neill is, and not just at Public Speaking.
“When I first met Peggy O’Neill after she retired to Clarion I recognized she had an inner strength,” emphasized Benton. “After I got to know her better through Toastmasters I learned about all her accomplishments. Throughout her working career she has succeeded in many areas. She is knowledgeable, hardworking, and a good problem solver. She is also a good listener as I feel like I can always talk to her when I have a problem. Peggy shows what women can accomplish.”
Kramer shared similar sentiments about O’Neill. Both women are very active in St. John Catholic Church in Clarion. “Peggy’s always willing to participate, whether it’s a Bible study or a fundraising campaign,” said Kramer. She’s creative, dedicated and forward-thinking when it comes to her church, community and town.”
And it’s because of all of these qualities pointed out by her friends that O’Neill was named the 2022 Woman of the Year by the AAUW. Bowman, who is a member of AAUW, emphasized, “The mission of the group is to support women and advance education. As a lifelong educator Peggy has done that. We looked at her qualities and felt like she is a positive, forceful presence.”
“She is very deserving of receiving AAUW’s Woman of the Year award,” O’Neill’s friend Benton added. “She’s just a special lady,” said Kramer.
For her part, O’Neill said that the award was quite a surprise. As she reflects back fondly over all she has done in her life, she said, “I’ve had lots of adventures and some sadness.” But importantly, she’s not slowing down any time soon.
Even as we chatted, O’Neill was getting ready to head to Toastmasters and was planning for the upcoming Clarion clean up. She was also fielding calls as she helps with a state political campaign. Apparently, O’Neill will sit back and just relax later. But probably not.
