International Sisterhood of P.E.O. awards continuing education grant of $1,600
The International Sisterhood of P.E.O. recently awarded Laura Berres a "Program for Continuing Education" grant of $1,600 to aid her in obtaining a master's degree from Northern Illinois University in early childhood education with endorsements in English as a Second Language and Early Childhood Special Education Approval.
She is student teaching in the spring and will graduate in May 2019. Berres previously received a degree in American Sign Language/English Interpretation from Columbia College in 2008.
The Chapter MW of St. Charles initiated the contact with Laura Berres and supported her through the application process with P.E.O. International.
Laura Berres also was awarded an Educational Loan Fund from P.E.O. in April 2018.
The Philanthropic Educational Organization was founded on Jan. 21, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
This circle of kindred spirits - bonded by their enthusiasm for women's opportunities - eventually expanded to include women off campus, as well.
Today, P.E.O. has grown from that tiny membership of seven to almost a quarter of a million members in chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. There are several P.E.O. chapters in the Fox Valley area.
True to the mission of promoting educational opportunities for women, education continues to be the primary philanthropy of the P.E.O. The organization makes a difference in women's lives with six philanthropies that include ownership of a women's college, Cottey College, and five programs that provide higher educational assistance through scholarships, grants, and loans to motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations.
Grant, loan, and award recipients - as well as Cottey College students - need not be members of P.E.O. With the exception of international students who receive International Peace Scholarships, each recipient is sponsored by a P.E.O. chapter. This allows the chapter members to be a meaningful part of "their" student's life.
For details, visit www.peointernational.org.