Who We Are – P.E.O. Kentucky State Chapter

Who we are:

We are an organization of women who believe in the value of women helping women. Our sisterhood proudly makes a difference in women’s lives by providing eligible women in our communities with financial support to complete their educational dreams and goals through a variety of scholarships, grants and loans. We are also stewards of Cottey College, a women’s institution which is a nationally ranked, fully accredited, independent, liberal arts and sciences college located in Nevada, Missouri. Our college offers a variety of two and four-year degrees. Cottey is a debt-free institution and welcomes women from around the world. Ask us about scholarships for Kentucky students.

How to become a member:

The best way to find out about P.E.O. and how to become a member is talking to P.E.O. members. Ask around in your community to see if anyone you know is a member of P.E.O. or if she knows someone who is.

Kentucky P.E.O. members are proud of their organization and are committed to helping women pursue higher education. Talking to a P.E.O. in your community will give you an opportunity to find out more about their chapter and what P.E.O. means to them.

If you do not know a member of P.E.O., please contact us and we’ll help you get in touch.

Our Philanthropies

EDUCATIONAL LOAN FUND

The Educational Loan Fund was established in 1907 to lend money to qualified women students to assist them in securing a higher education.

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STAR SCHOLARSHIP

STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide non-renewable $2,500 scholarships to exceptional high school graduating women.

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COTTEY COLLEGE

Cottey College, an independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women located in Nevada, Missouri, has been owned/supported by P.E.O. since 1927.

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INTERNATIONAL PEACE SCHOLARSHIP

The International Peace Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the U.S. or Canada.

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SCHOLAR AWARDS

The P.E.O. Scholar Awards provide merit-based awards for women who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university.

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PROGRAM FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

The Program for Continuing Education provides need-based grants to women whose education has been interrupted and desire to return to school.

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Our Story

P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), one of the pioneer societies for women, was founded on January 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Originally a small campus friendship society, P.E.O. soon blossomed to include women off campus.

P.E.O. came to Kentucky through Gladys H. Goodell, a member of Chapter FY, Iowa. When she moved to Louisville, she remembered that it was the birthplace of Founder Alice Virginia Coffin and decided that it should have a P.E.O. chapter. On March 28, 1930, Chapter A, Louisville, was organized.

Chapter K, Lexington, the 11th chapter in the Commonwealth, was organized on November 7, 1956. Only two days later on November 9 Kentucky State Chapter was organized at the first Convocation of Kentucky Chapters in Louisville.

Kentucky is currently home to approximately 1500 active members in 42 chapters across the bluegrass state.

Questions? Need help?

Please contact us about award opportunities or to learn more about P.E.O.