BOUNTIFUL—A women’s organization that began in 1869 to raise money for women’s scholarships is still going strong and raising money to be used by young women to further their education. P.E.O. (Philanthropic Education Organization) will be hosting a Holiday Concert and Market fundraiser on Nov. 18 with proceeds going to the organization for scholarships and grants.

“There are 33 chapters in Utah,” said Irene Nuño, president of P.E.O. “There are 1,000 across the U.S. The organization has given some $450 million over the years.”

P.E.O started with seven women who were attending Wesleyan College in Iowa, she said. “There were several sororities but they felt those were just social groups with no goal except to socialize. They wanted something more, something for the community. So they formed P.E.O.”

It’s nondenominational, anyone can join, said Nuño. “It’s an international, local and national project. You can also get an educational loan. I took one to go to USU. There are also emergency loans. Any woman that qualifies can get these.”

Nuño said she has seen lives change. “We gave money to a gal and her husband who were working two jobs each and they had two little kids. They lived in a tiny house in Rosepark. She used the money we gave her to go to the University of Utah in nursing. Then she got her master’s and pulled the family up into a different life. It’s rewarding work.”

Another woman living in Wyoming had four little children when her husband left her without a dime, Nuño said. “She’d never finished college. We gave her some emergency funding and she moved to the Salt Lake valley and studied nursing. It changed her life.”

P.E.O. does more than raise money, she said. “It’s a sisterhood. I don’t know what I’d do without my group of sisters. They’re always there for you. If I went across the U.S. and needed help they (the members there) would help me. They have empathy for their fellow sisters and for humans.”

Those who want to become a member of P.E.O. must be sponsored by someone in the group, said Nuño. “We ask them to join a meeting and we talk about P.E.O. and what it means to be a member and the history and background.”

Women do not need to be a member to receive a scholarship, she said. “A lot of local schools are aware of P.E.O. There are a lot of people in great need but it hasn’t come to their attention that scholarships are available.”

Nuño said one of the women that got a scholarship went back to school after she had raised her kids. “She was terrified. She was 40 and all the other students were young. She ended up getting her degree. It’s very meaningful to see the response. That’s the part I find so wonderful.”

The market will have items for sale donated by women in the chapter, she said. “They are extremely talented. We have three quilters who are unbelievable.”

The concert features pianist Amy Bach, vocalists Hazel Rowe, soprano, Dorothy Arnold, mezzo-soprano and Julie Bach, storyteller. The event is Nov. 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The concert starts at 4 p.m. followed by the market at 5:15. It will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 1131 South Main, Centerville. Admission to the market only is free to the public. Limited tickets are available for the concert for $5. 

For more information contact Pam Bennett at 801-656-7548.