PEO Hosts Fundraiser To Assist Women

By JIM LUKSIC

The Progress

PEO has come a long way since 1869.
That’s when the philanthropic, educational group was established by women in the town of – wait for it – Nevada, Missouri.

More than 150 years later, on Saturday, Nov. 18, the sisterhood organization hosted a boutique fundraiser at the Jimmy Hughes Campus in Mesquite.
“PEO raises money through events for projects, scholarships, grants, and loans,” Lydia Leduc, president of Mesquite’s Chapter AM, said prior to the event on North Yucca Street.

In general, PEO’s mission is to celebrate the advancement of women; educate, and motivate them as well.
“Locally, we have helped women pursue their degrees in nursing, teaching and Star Scholarships,” said Leduc.

That appeared to be the case during Saturday’s affair, which included 16 vendors.
As part of its contribution to the cause, the local chapter served up a bake sale and held a raffle, which “went pretty well,” according to Vice President Rhonda Ruff.

Chapter AM was founded in 2006, after which the Joan Basco Scholarship was established to honor its namesake, who passed away in 2013. There have been 30 local recipients of the scholarship, according to Leduc, to help achieve educational goals to the tune of $40,000.

In 2019, when AM had grown to 60 members, a second local group, the AP chapter, was created.
PEO supports the all-female Cottey College, a Missouri-based, independent liberal arts and sciences institution. Cottey and the organization have been connected since 1927.

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the group is slated to meet at Mesquite’s Welcome sign for a 10 a.m. photo op.