Making A Difference PRESIDENT’S | message by Patricia L. Brolin-Ribi, President, International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
As fall brings thoughts of cooler days and a return to routines after summertime activities, it also evokes visions of students returning to school. Not only students in the primary and secondary grades, but also those pursuing further study at institutions of higher learning and vocational and certification programs. All of these are exciting times for students and families alike. For families with children and relatives ranging from pre-school to high school, each year brings its own rewards and challenges. Our P.E.O. sisters live with those every day through their families and friends. We enthusiastically encourage these students as they make their
Please join the Executive Board of International Chapter in extending a grateful thank you to Ann Lambert, past president of Massachusetts State Chapter, for her five years of service on the P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund Board of Trustees. We’re pleased to welcome Harpreet (Preeti) Sareen, past president of Ontario- Quebec Provincial Chapter, who has accepted an appointment to the P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund Board of Trustees for a five-year term commencing October 1, 2022. We also extend our gratitude to Diann McChesney, past president of Connecticut State Chapter, and Hope Zoeller for their seven years of service on the Cottey College Board of Trustees. Join us in welcoming Pamela E. Napier, past president of Kentucky State Chapter, and Penny Bessman, past president of Illinois State Chapter, who have accepted appointments to the Cottey College Board of Trustees for seven-year terms commencing June 1, 2022.
As P.E.O.s, we readily say “we support women pursuing their educational goals.” We should take a moment to think about the tremendous impact we make through our International projects of ELF, Cottey, IPS, PCE, PSA and STAR. For the returning student as she struggles to pay for tuition or books—or even bus fare and child care; for the woman who needs more than anything to have strong encouragement and someone to believe in her abilities; for the doctoral candidate amassing student debt as she pours herself into her research; for the young student finding her way in a new school environment as she learns life skills along with her course work; and for the brave woman from a foreign
“We educate women because it is smart. We educate women because it changes the world.” — Drew Gilpin Faust, a historian and the first woman to be president of Harvard
country balancing not only her studies, but also cultural aspects. For all of these women P.E.O.’s financial support and encouragement can make a significant difference. For some, that impact is also life-changing and lifts up not only the recipient, but her family and community as well. The next time you are asked about P.E.O., you can answer proudly with our Mission Statement that “P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women 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.” Above all, please know how much each of you is appreciated for your support of our projects and our recipients. Your efforts are truly making a difference as you continue to Raise the Bar to the Stars. WITH BEST WISHES AND P.E.O. LOVE, Patti
way through each grade and cheer them on and share pride in them as they do. Then for students venturing on past high school, the world opens up possibilities and opportunities, and also challenges them with real-life experiences. In all of these scenarios, P.E.O. sisters make a huge difference in students’ lives. For the women who apply for grants, loans, awards and scholarships through our P.E.O. projects, we go a step further as we provide support both in the form of meaningful financial assistance and our equally important encouragement. Each of you makes a big difference in this regard. It is through your individual efforts to assist with your chapter’s fundraiser that you contribute to the pool of available educational funds. And it is through your efforts to search out applicants and encourage them through the process that deserving women are able to pursue their educational goals. With more than 5,700 chapters and over 203,000 members doing the same, the impact grows exponentially. It is impressive that P.E.O. sisters have provided over $398 million* of financial assistance over the years for women pursuing educational opportunities.
*As of April 2022
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September–October 2022 | THE P.E.O. RECORD
WWW.PEOINTERNATIONAL.ORG
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