A chapter of the Philanthropic Education Organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
PEO Chapter O, based in Columbus, will have a luncheon Monday to commemorate its anniversary.
“We will be inviting all of our present and members who have transferred from Chapter O to another chapter in the USA or Canada including all of our charter members,” said Laurie Chilcutt, chapter vice president.
The philanthropic organization offers opportunities for women to celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College, in Missouri; and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.
There are three PEO chapter in the Golden Triangle — one in Starkville and two in Columbus. Each local chapter decides when and where it meets. Chilcutt said Chapter O has 12 meetings a year and meets September through May on Mondays determined by the executive board.
“We have another chapter in Columbus, Chapter AB, that meets year round, once a month,” she said.
Chapter O was founded on Jan. 23, 1982, and has about 45 members. Each member serves on a committee to help the chapter reach its goals for the year.
Chilcutt has been a Chapter O member since 1990. She has served on the local level in several offices including president and a state chapter president in 2018. She said she has been on the executive board of the state chapter since 2012. I have also served on several state and local project committees.
“PEO is a great organization to build strong friendships while working toward a greater good,” Chilcutt said.
The organization supports women both through friendships and the bonds of sisterhood and through educational scholarships, grants, awards and loans.
“We reach these goals by searching for women who may benefit by applying for these scholarships, grants, awards and loans and also by identifying potential members that can help us find candidates for our philanthropic endeavors,” Chilcutt said. “We have fundraisers to support our projects so that we can contribute to the foundation of each of these projects.”
PEO was organized in 1869 by seven women attending Iowa Wesleyan College.
“When they graduated, they wanted to continue and grow their organization beyond a college social club and began to start chapters around the country where they relocated after graduating,” Chilcutt said. “The organization grew quickly and they began to have a philanthropic focus around 1900.”
Currently, PEO has about 6,000 local chapters with more than 210,000 members in the United States and Canada.
To build the chapter, current members invite others, Chilcutt said. The process gives potential members the chance to learn about the organization, while allowing the chapter the opportunity to get to know prospective members and explain the personal commitment and responsibilities that come with membership.
Women over the age of 18 are eligible to be considered for P.E.O. membership, Chilcutt said. When a prospective member accepts the invitation, a written acceptance must include an affirmation of her belief in God.
“Our sisterhood is based on friendship and mutual respect. P.E.O. is not a political or political action group. Individually, each member may work for causes of her choice outside of PEO,” Chilcutt said. “As members, we respect one another’s political and/or religious views and activities. We meet to support each other, for fellowship and for the common and uniting purpose of assisting women with their educational goals.”
Civic organizations like PEO play an important role in the Golden Triangle, Chilcutt said.
“Of the three chapters in the Golden Triangle, we have helped many women receive monies to help with their needs to improve their education and ultimately their lives,” she said.
While Chilcutt said she didn’t know the exact amount of money that P.E.O. has contributed to the community, “local chapters have shown dedication, hard work and financial contributions for our projects and recipients.”
For information on Chapter O, contact chapter president Allegra Brigham at 662-386-7249. For information on PEO., visit the website peointernational.org .
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