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PEO International Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) - Where women motivate, educate and celebrate women. P.E.O. The Sisterhood also supports Cottey College.
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(Philanthropic Educational Organization) has been celebrating women for more than 157 years. Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 132,000* women pursue educational goals by providing approximately $490 million* in grants, scholarships, awards and loans. Through membership, the P.E.O. Sisterhood has brought together more than a half a million women in the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education, while supporting and motivating them. In addition to the educational philanthropies, the P.E.O. Sisterhood provides a framework of support and community for all members. What started with a bond of friendship among seven women in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America with nearly 5,200 chapters.

*As of July 2026

This site may contain links to third‐party websites, including social networking websites ("Linked Site"). makes no claim or representations regarding, and accepts no responsibility directly or indirectly, for the security, quality, content, nature, or reliability of any Linked Site. The Linked Sites are not under the control of P.E.O., and P.E.O. is not responsible for and does not endorse the content or organization of any Linked Site. also is not affiliated with the third party. is providing these links to you only as a convenience. You should review any terms and policies of any Linked Site before interacting with the Linked Site. Members must agree to follow the Rules and Etiquette
Promotional messages are not permitted
Uphold the P.E.O. brand and our Objects and Aims. Don’t attack others. The discussions on social media are meant to stimulate conversation not to create contention. Let others have their say, just as you may. Don't post commercial messages. All defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, offensive language or illegal materials are strictly prohibited and will be removed.

P.E.O. Founder Hattie Briggs was born on this day in 1849 and was described by a classmate as "the best hearted girl tha...
10/10/2026

P.E.O. Founder Hattie Briggs was born on this day in 1849 and was described by a classmate as "the best hearted girl that ever lived." Hattie was the one to propose "a society of our own" and the other six readily agreed. We are so grateful for her contributions to our Sisterhood!

We want to hear from you! All members are invited to take part in a survey, which will be open October 15-31. Members wi...
10/09/2026

We want to hear from you! All members are invited to take part in a survey, which will be open October 15-31. Members will receive a link to complete it in the October Heart of P.E.O. email. It will also be available on the P.E.O. Hub. Thank you in advance for completing this survey, which will help us gather insight into our members’ perspectives on a variety of topics. We intend to use this information to develop programs and/or refine our current programs and initiatives to improve the overall membership experience for our sisters.

P.E.O. Founder Ella Stewart was born on this day in 1848. After her time at Iowa Wesleyan, she was a dedicated, hard-wor...
10/08/2026

P.E.O. Founder Ella Stewart was born on this day in 1848. After her time at Iowa Wesleyan, she was a dedicated, hard-working teacher, and it may have been her influence that inspired the charitable outreach of P.E.O. We are so grateful for her contributions to our Sisterhood!

Fall is a great time to spread the word about the International Peace Scholarship, as the application window is open thr...
10/06/2026

Fall is a great time to spread the word about the International Peace Scholarship, as the application window is open through December 15! Consider sharing information with your local college or university. You can find a flyer and the eligibility requirements document on the P.E.O. Hub. Visit the Library and choose International Peace Scholarship as your category.

Great job by Chapter FB, Littleton, Colorado, for growing our Sisterhood! The chapter has had eight new sisters since Ja...
10/05/2026

Great job by Chapter FB, Littleton, Colorado, for growing our Sisterhood! The chapter has had eight new sisters since January 1 - three inactive sisters who reinstated, two transfer sisters and three brand new sisters.

Here’s a quick tip for your chapter’s nominating committee! Give the committee the floor during committee reports this m...
10/03/2026

Here’s a quick tip for your chapter’s nominating committee! Give the committee the floor during committee reports this month. Invite them to advertise the positions available in the coming year. Let current officers explain what each job entails and the training resources available. Find additional tips to help fill a slate of officers in the Leadership Development Resource “Create a Flowing Pipeline of Local Chapter Leaders” https://peo-portal.com/library/bundles/e0337be482fe463d89d678435e7423bc

Happy birthday to Mary Yenney, AK, Maryland, who turned 100 in September! Her chapter sisters marked the occasion with a...
10/02/2026

Happy birthday to Mary Yenney, AK, Maryland, who turned 100 in September! Her chapter sisters marked the occasion with a special celebration. 💕 🎉

Mia Marty is one of our amazing STAR Scholarship recipients! Mia attends Purdue University in Indiana, where she majors ...
10/01/2026

Mia Marty is one of our amazing STAR Scholarship recipients! Mia attends Purdue University in Indiana, where she majors in Aerospace Engineering. She participates in Engineering in Community Service to create a sustainable online data platform for weather. This facilitates local governments to make informed decisions on their water quality and use. Mia was sponsored by Chapter C, Hawaii.

More photos of our members with The P.E.O. Record! ⭐
09/30/2026

More photos of our members with The P.E.O. Record! ⭐

International P.E.O. Day (January 21) is an opportunity to do good works in the community while promoting P.E.O.! Your c...
09/29/2026

International P.E.O. Day (January 21) is an opportunity to do good works in the community while promoting P.E.O.! Your chapter can mark the day in January to correspond with Founders' Day or honor our Founders a different day. It can be as simple as picking up trash or partnering with a local organization. Here are two ideas from last year! Chapter GU, Plano, Texas, volunteered at Prom Closet, an event where young women who might not be able to afford prom outfits can have a special shopping experience. Chapter MN, Marion, Illinois, cleaned up a local highway.

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3700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA
50312

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