Linda Marmie of Chapter DU, JanBonine of Chapter IV, Becky Hill of Chapter HR and Margie Nairn of chapter FS, were among more than 250 delegates who attended the 109th annual convention of Kansas State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, June 3-5, in Wichita. The theme for the convention was “Destination P.E.O.” Kansas State Chapter President Jeanette Mooney of Chapter JB, Paola, presided.
P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization with local chapters in the United States and Canada whose mission is promoting educational opportunities for women. P.E.O. was founded in 1869 at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Ia.
P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, a revolving loan find, established in 1907, has made more than $130 million in loans to qualified women who desire a higher education.
Cottey College, a fully accredited, two-year liberal arts college for women in Nevada, Mo., has recently added new bachelor’s programs in English, environmental studies and international relations and business. Cottey has been owned and operated by the P.E.O. Sisterhood since 1927, and has had approximately 8,300 graduates.
P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund, has provided more than $27 million in scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada since 1949.
P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, has provided more than $38 million in need-based grants to women in the United States and Canada who need to resume their educational studies to support themselves and/or their families since 1973.
P.E.O. Scholar Awards, has provided $14 million since 1991 in substantial merit-based awards for women of the United States and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral level degree or are engaged in postdoctoral research at an accredited college, university or institution.
P.E.O. STAR Scholarship, has provided more than $1 million scholarships since 2009 to high school senior women who wish to pursue a post-secondary education.
In addition to the projects listed above, Kansas State Chapter sponsors two state projects:
Sunflower Grants, provides one-time grants to any Kansas resident who is in need of financial assistance and may be unable to secure help from other sources.
Kansas Cottey College Scholarships, provides scholarships for Kansas women who attend Cottey College.
In the 2010-2011 year, Kansas P.E.O.’s in 266 chapters across the state gave more than $241,000 to the state
and Intenationa1 projects.
Seventeen P.E.O. chapters from Abilene, Andover, Council Grove, Junction City, Manhattan, Salina, Herington, Hutchinson, Russell and Wichita were hosts to the delegates, past presidents, standing committees and special guests.
The program for the convention included an address by Patricia Brolin-Ribi, vice chairman ofthe Board of Trustees of the P.E.O. Foundation and a past president of Idaho State Chapter. Other highlights were a “Golden Girl” luncheon honoring 50-year members, and election and installation of officers. Exhibits, project reports and other business of the convention rounded out the agenda.