Havre P.E.O. gives scholarships on its 91st birthday

Havre’s Philanthropic Education Organization chapters celebrated their 91st birthday this past May, along with the 150th national anniversary, and this year, the organization was able to provide $7,500 in scholarships to six women.

“Education continues to be the primary philanthropy of the P.E.O. Sisterhood,,” Havre Chapter V President Wendy Tilleman said. “We proudly sponsor six international philanthropies, designed to assist women during various stages of their educational journey. To date, these projects have awarded over $321 million to assist women in meeting their educational goals.”

P.E.O. is able to provide local scholarships, and it sponsors students for national level grants. The Montana State Chapter of P.E.O. offers three scholarship opportunities.

At Montana State University-Northern, Addison Kinsella and Kacy Nicholson each received $750, and the Martha Kuhr Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 was awarded to Northern student Alyssa Rigney. The Havre High School Scholarship of $1,000 was given to Courtney Henderson.

P.E.O. also provides grants and graduate scholarships. P.E.O Star Scholarship, International, was presented to Sophia Richter for $2,500, and the PCE Grant, International Level, was awarded to Nichole Borst for $1,500.

P.E.O. began as a sisterhood of seven women at Wesleyan College in Iowa in 1869 and has grown into an international organization of more than 225,000 members with active chapters in each of the 50 states and some Canadian providences.

Tilleman added the main purpose for the sisterhood is to empower women, supporting each other as sisters. At the beginning of each meeting, the ladies take an oath that reinforces the purpose. The ladies also work toward building sisterhood, friendships and supporting women through the educational assistance programs.

Here, it all started in 1928 due to Montana State Chapter President Agnes Soule of Billings, who suggested a chapter be started in Havre.

“My favorite thing about P.E.O. is that it’s a group of women who bring our separate talents and strengths to the organization and we work together for a common goal,” Tilleman said. “For me, it means a lot, the ability to help women in need.”

“P.E.O. is a wonderful opportunity to make new friendships and an everlasting sisterhood,” Sesquicentennial Chairman Patti Hickman said.

Chapter V has 40 active members, five members with 40-plus years.

P.E.O. also hosts fundraisers and events throughout the year, these include a Wine Gala and rummage sales. Last year, they hosted the Sweet Shoppe vendor boothe during Festival Days, and will do it again this year along with a 2020 New Year’s Eve Bash.

“We aren’t just friends, we really are sisters,” Tilleman said.

The organization meets twice a month and any female over the age of 18 can join, by invitation only.