ABOUT P.E.O.

(Philanthropic Educational Organization)

On a cold winter day in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1869, seven women students at Iowa Wesleyan University started what is now P.E.O. International. Little did they know that their dream of helping women “reach for the stars” would blossom into an organization of over 200,000 women across the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women succeed through education.

The values of these forward-thinking women over 150 years ago remain contemporary today through the mission of P.E.O.: To CELEBRATE the advancement of women; to EDUCATE through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and to MOTIVATE women to achieve their highest aspirations.

We CELEBRATE the advancement of women of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds from the college bound high school student, to the international student, to women pursuing advanced degrees, and to those returning to school after an interruption in their education.

We EDUCATE through 6 international projects and local scholarships. P.E.O. has helped over 116,000 women pursue their education by providing over $380 million in assistance.

We MOTIVATE our recipients by providing support and encouragement through our local chapters. This allows chapter members to have a meaningful part in “their” students’ lives.

For more information about P.E.O. visit www.peointernational.org

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