On January 21, 1869, seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa established the P.E.O (Philanthropic Educational Organization). This organization works to open doors of opportunities for the educational goals of woman everywhere. The P.E.O. Sisterhood sponsors no less than six international philanthropies that are all structured around the common goal of helping women excel throughout their education.
Sustaining six projects, the sisterhood’s support is contributed in forms of grants, loans and scholarships. With thorough eligibility requirements, the organization’s primary intention is supporting woman of all ages, race, sexuality, beliefs, financial ability, etc. The 6 projects range from an Educational Loan Fund (ELF), International Peace Scholarship (IPS), Program for Continuing Education (PCE), Scholar Awards (PSA), the STAR projects, and even a variety of funds for attending Cottey College, an independent, liberal arts & sciences college for women in Nevada, MO.
To highlight the specifics of one of the many forms of financial aid that the organization provides, Nichole Bougher, STAR Scholarship Project Supervisor, explains, “The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship is a non-renewable $2,500 scholarship for graduating, high school women [that] must be used in the fall of the academic year following [their] high school graduation.”
No matter where we are from or what we want to do, education is a privilege that we cannot take advantage of. It can be easy to overlook the struggles that woman of all ages, across the globe, must face on a daily basis. Many females, due to unfair prejudice and financial struggles, are limited in making their dreams a reality.
Donating to this cause will help impact and increase the source of funding for the P.E.O. grants, scholarships, loans and awards. Any additional help is always welcome, as it assists meritorious women in pursuing their educational goals. Gifts may be made in cash, bequests, marketable securities, beneficiary of living trusts, retirement plan assets, or life insurance. For more donation assistance and information, visit http://www.peointernational.org/contributions-peo-foundation.
To see if you or someone in your life may qualify for any of the projects or programs, visit http://www.peointernational.org/peo-projectsphilanthropies.