The P.E.O. Record May-June 2022 (public)

P.E.O.’ s

mission is to celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. The P.E.O. Sisterhood is a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 119,000 women* pursue educational goals by providing over $398 million* in educational assistance, making a difference in women’s lives through six philanthropies and a foundation:

P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF) A loan fund established in 1907 to lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education. Has loaned $235.9 million.*

“I am very surprised and overwhelmed by the welcoming and warm spirit that all the chapters have gently shared with me. These P.E.O. chapters have demonstrated to me that P.E.O. is more than a financial aid organization. These chapters have fundamentally supported me and empowered me to achieve my goals.”

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship fund (IPS) A fund established in 1949 to provide scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada. Has provided $45.4 million in scholarships.* P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) Established in 1973 to provide need-based grants to women in the U.S. and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families. Has given $67.6 million in grants.* P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) Established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university. Has awarded $32.1 million in scholarships.* P.E.O. STAR Scholarship (STAR) Established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year. Has given $17.2 million in scholarships.* Cottey College A nationally ranked, fully accredited, independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women located in Nevada, Missouri, has been owned/ supported by P.E.O. since 1927 and offers baccalaureate and associate degrees in a variety of majors. Cottey College, a debt-free institution, welcomes women from around the world. The P.E.O. Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established in 1961 to encourage tax-deductible giving to the educational and charitable projects of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. It is a service to the Sisterhood.

—LUISA ISIDRO-HERRERA P.E.O. INTERNATIONAL PEACE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

• • • • •

“This is a great organization supporting education for women and it’s a lovely way to meet philanthropic women.”

Individual donors may make tax-deductible gifts to the projects or through the P.E.O. Foundation. Visit www.peointernational.org . Look for the “Giving Opportunities” link on the home page.

—BETH BEALS WALLING OH, DES MOINES, IOWA

*As of April 2022

48

THE P.E.O. RECORD | May–June 2022

Women helping women reach for the stars

Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease