Philanthropic Educational Organization celebrates 150th anniversary
By Gillian Slade on January 19, 2019.
The Philanthropic Educational OrganizationÊis celebrating its 150 birthday Monday. Local members present a tribute to the founders: From left Sheila McLeod, Bonnie Blakely, Barb Grozell, Heather Bymoen, Laura Hobbs, Sharon Clay, Jean Bernard and Carol MacLaren.--SUBMITTED PHOTOgslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade The Philanthropic Educational Organization is celebrating its 150 birthday on Monday, with members of the Medicine Hat chapter joining in to recognize the milestone. There are nearly 6,000 PEO chapters across the U.S. and Canada with about 230,000 current members. The organization began in 1869 with the goal of establishing a bond of friendship and has become one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America. Since the non-profit organization was established a total of about 105,000 women have been helped to pursue educational goals with grants, scholarships, awards and loans totaling $321 million. The Medicine Hat chapter of PEO was established in 1964 and has supported 103 women with grants, loans and scholarships worth $146,350. One of its annual events is the “Daisy Walk” with proceeds going directly to support women’s education. “The PEO members in Medicine Hat are proud to continue the legacy of the generations of PEO sisters who came before us,” said Penny Drysdale, the Alberta and Saskatchewan sesquicentennial chair. “They were dedicated to the mission of women supporting women, just as we are today.” 8
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