News : A Society of Women began in 1869 and is still going strong

P.EO. members Connie Gill, Dana Jumper, Natalie Moore and Maureen Boddicker at a fundraiser to assist area women

Submitted by Dana Jumper

In the fall of 1869, on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University, 7 young women banded together to become "sisters". This society has since been called P.E.O. This philanthropic and educational organization is comprised of women whose aim is to help women reach their potential through educational opportunities. To do so, the 5500 chapters in the United States alone, has awarded over $416 million dollars to women through grants, awards, scholarships, loans, leadership development. P.E.O. as an organization, is responsible for the ownership and fiscality of Cottey College, a junior college in Nevada, MO. Our aim of helping women reach their full potential through education takes finances.

Last September, members of our chapter, HG, sponsored a booth at the Fall Festival to raise funds to help support these endeavors. Our booth had pies, cakes, breads, cookies, candies and pastries of various types baked by our members. See photos of us as we enjoyed selling out of everything.

During the Christmas holidays, we gather for a fun event - our annual cookies exchange. We meet in the homes of our members to share the goodies each member brings. This past December, we met in the gracious home of Maureen Boddicker for tea and a sampling of all the goodies present. Pictured below are several of our members who attended. Seated (L-R) Linda Fischer, Ann Jorgenson, Katherine Ervin, Paula Happel, Connie Gill. Standing (L-R) Natalie Moore, Roxanne Ervin, Ann Harrison, Pam Miller, Marty Eckhart, Janet Woodhouse, Maureen Boddicker