P.E.O. Louisiana State Chapter

Official State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood - Louisiana

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Welcome

The P.E.O. Sisterhood was founded on January 21, 1869 on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa by seven pioneering young women who wanted to perpetuate their friendship. Since the beginning, this bond of sisterhood has grown to over 225,000 active members in P.E.O. chapters found throughout the United States and Canada. The P.E.O. Sisterhood is one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America. P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization where women CELEBRATE the advancement of women; EDUCATE women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans, and stewardship of Cottey College and MOTIVATE women to achieve their highest aspirations.

Louisiana P.E.O. History

P.E.O. in Louisiana began in Shreveport, a city in the northwestern corner of the state. Chapter A was organized with 17 members on May 15, 1922. Five years later in 1927, dimits (transfers) from Chapter A organized Chapter B in Shreveport. By 1930, P.E.O. had spread to Baton Rouge where Chapter C was formed. By World War II, there were chapters in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Arcadia and New Orleans, and three more chapters were organized during the war.  After the organization of Chapters K and L, the convocation of Louisiana State Chapter was held in Shreveport on October 30 and 31, 1946. The First Annual Convention was held at the Heidelberg Hotel in Baton Rouge on April 17 and 18, 1947. Mary S. Eidson, Chapter K, was elected to serve as the first State President for the Louisiana State Chapter.

Equal Educational Opportunities for Women

Our sisterhood proudly offers educational opportunities through six philanthropies: 

  • – P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund
  • – P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
  • – P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education
  • – P.E.O. Scholar Awards
  • – P.E.O. Star Scholarship
  • – Cottey College

To date, 105,000 women have received $321 million. For more information, visit the official website of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Louisiana Scholarships

Louisiana State Chapter offers scholarships to qualified Louisiana women residents to attend Cottey College.

  • – Mary S. Eidson Memorial Scholarship
  • – Louisiana Cottey Scholarship Fund
  • – Cottey Louisiana Suite Fund

Interested in Becoming a P.E.O. Member?

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

P.E.O. members are proud of the organization and are committed to helping women pursue higher education. Speaking with a P.E.O. in your community will provide an opportunity to learn 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.