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 116,000 women* pursue educational goals by providing over $383 million* in educational assistance, making a difference in women’s lives through six philanthropies and a foundation:
P.E.O. is a wonderful organization…my hometown chapter helped me achieve my dream of being an RN in a rural community. The chapter has been so thoughtful, meeting with me…so I could get to know more of the members and vice versa, as well as sending emails and cards to always show their support of my education and goals. Thank you P.E.O.!
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 $229.5 million.*
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship fund (IPS) A fund established in 1949 to provide scholarships for selected women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada. Has provided $43.5 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 $65.1 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 $30.1 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 $14.9 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.
—RACHEL LUGER
• • • • •
I am very proud of the ability to give money to many important projects for the benefit for so many people. As a large group, we are there for so many…I have never met a large number of ladies who all meet you and you feel like you have known them for years. They are the best.
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.
—PAT CLEARWATER OI, ANTIOCH, ILLINOIS
*As of April 2021
48
THE P.E.O. RECORD | March–April 2022
Women helping women reach for the stars
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease