Today marks Founder’s Day for P.E.O., Philanthropic Educational Organization, as members across the country celebrate the group’s founding and its long-standing mission of supporting women through education.
P.E.O. was founded on January 21st, 1869, by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant. What began as a small group focused on friendship and personal growth has grown into an international organization with thousands of chapters dedicated to providing educational opportunities for women.
Over the years, P.E.O. has established scholarships, grants, and loan programs that help women pursue higher education, complete degrees, and achieve career goals. Locally, P.E.O. chapters continue that mission through fundraising, community involvement, and direct support of educational initiatives.
Founder’s Day is an opportunity for members to reflect on the organization’s history, honor its founders, and reaffirm their commitment to promoting educational advancement and positive change.
For many in southeast Iowa, today also serves as a reminder that a global organization with lasting impact began right here in Mount Pleasant 157 years ago.