Next weekend Blytheville will be host to approximately 300 guests who will be attending the P.E.O. Sisterhood's Arkansas State Chapter 80th Annual Convention. The event will be held April 26-27 at Arkansas Northeastern College.
P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization in which women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. P.E.O. (Philanthropical Educational Organization) is passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women.
The sisterhood proudly makes a difference in women's lives with six philanthropies that include Cottey College, a women's college with two- and selected four-year programs, as well as five programs that provide higher educational assistance: P.E.O Educational Loan Fund, P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund, P.E.O Program for Continuing Education, P.E.O. Scholar Awards, and P.E.O. Star Scholarship.
P.E.O. was founded on Jan. 21, 1869, and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Membership has grown from the seven founders to almost a quarter of a million members in chapters in the United States and Canada. P.E.O. has awarded over $221.4 million in loans, grants, scholarships and awards. In addition, 8,500 women have graduated from Cottey College.
104 chapters, and approximately 300 guests, will be attending the convention next weekend.
sharris@blythevillecourier.com