P.E.O. was founded over 150 years ago as a college society, similar to later sororities. Fellowship and philanthropic service are of great importance to its members. There are 66 chapters in The Land of Enchantment with over 2,000 members.
Women Helping Women Reach for the Stars
⇒PROJECTS AND PHILANTHROPIES
The P.E.O. Sisterhood maintains several educational projects in the form of grants, scholarships and loans as well as the stewardship of Cottey College.
Educational Loan Fund
The P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF) is a revolving loan fund established in 1907 to lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education.
International Peace Scholarship
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship (IPS) Fund was established in 1949 to provide scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada.
STAR Award
The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional high school senior women to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the US or Canada in the next academic year.
Cottey College
Cottey College is an independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women. Located in Nevada, Missouri, it has been owned and supportd by the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1927.
Program For Continuing Education
The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) was estabished in 1973 to provide need-based grants to women in the United States and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families.
Scholar Award
The P.E.O. Scholar Awards (PSA) was established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the United States and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral level degree at an accredited college or university.
Foundation
The P.E.O. Foundation provides a way to make tax deductible gifts from individuals to the P.E.O. educational projects and to funds held by the P.E.O Foundation. These funds are professionally managed and diversified, offering growth in princpal.
State Scholarships
New Mexico offers assistance to women through the New Mexico State Scholarship, the Delilah Williams State Scholarship, the Jean Boswell Scholarship the Francine Neff Scholarship and the New Mexico Career and Technical Education Scholarship.