Chapter P in Paducah Embodies the Ideals of the P.E.O. Sisterhood

MORE THAN 150 YEARS AGO, A SMALL BODY OF WOMEN FORMED A GROUP BASED on care, friendship, and support of women and their education. It was named the International Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.)

P.E.O. was founded in 1869 by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. This circle of kindred spirits, bonded by their enthusiasm for women’s opportunities, eventually expanded to include women off campus as well. Through membership, the P.E.O. sisterhood has brought together more than a half a million women who are passionate about helping women advance through education. The group celebrates the advancement of women; educates women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans; and motivates women to achieve their highest aspirations. The sisterhood also supports Cottey College, a nationally ranked, fully accredited, liberal arts/sciences college for women located in Nevada, Missouri. The school has been owned and supported by P.E.O. since 1927.

Since its inception, P.E.O. has helped women pursue educational goals by providing over $383 million in grants, scholarships, and loans. In addition to the educational philanthropies, P.E.O. provides a framework of support and community for all members of its 6,000 chapters. Its seven original founders have grown to over 200,000 members.

Chapter P has been a part of the Paducah community since it was organized in 1970. It began as the dream of Dorothy

P.E.O. Sisterhood

McKenzie. Dorothy McKenzie and Jesse Wimmer completed paperwork and on April 2, 1970, Chapter P was officially formed by Jean Becker of Chapter J, Organizer of the Kentucky State Chapter, who presented the charter. Jessie Wimmer, Dorothy Master, Geneva Banks, Hilda Swisher, Katherine Humphreys, Alice (Peg) Brown, Merryman Kemp, and Patricia Parks, Prudence Mayer, Dottie Toy, Lottie Lee Dishman, Hazel Cathey, Alice Hamilton, and Martha Nell Simpson all became charter members. Jessie Wimmer became the first president.

“If I were ever to move somewhere, one of my first priorities would be to find a P.E.O. chapter,” says Kate Johnston, 40-year member and Kentucky State P.E.O. Membership Committee representative. “As sisters we have a special bond. We meet others in the organization and immediately form a connection.” The organization’s deep roots have offered special moments of mothers initiating daughters into P.E.O. and several generations in families as well.

Chapter P, one of the larger chapters in Kentucky, has 35 active members and about the same number of inactive members. Currently, the group meets the second Thursday of each month at noon. Johnston emphasized that with Chapter P only having 12 daytime meetings a year, there is a great need to establish a night chapter to accommodate working women’s schedules. There is also a demand for younger women to join and keep the organization going.

Mary Hammond, Executive Director of the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau and P.E.O. member since 1988, recognizes the organization stands out from other women’s groups in its values and foundation of friendship and sisterhood, not just for its support of education. “The words spoken at our initiation are so dear to my heart they have been incorporated into my daily prayers,” Hammond admits “I ask God to help me do my best each day and remind myself of the Golden Rule to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. P.E.O. helps other women to grow and do their best and gives women the tools to better the world.”

Women over the age of 18 are eligible to be considered for P.E.O. membership. They can become members after being introduced and invited by current members of a local chapter.

In “The History of Chapter P,” Sandra Cargill writes, “Chapter P may not be unique in showing a loving concern for each sister and its generous support of all the P.E.O. philanthropies, but we are a strong and vibrant chapter of uniquely creative, energetic, and supportive women who care deeply about our work and each other. We look forward to the future that will bring new sisters to help us grow and attain our ideals. In our fifty years as a chapter, we have learned that P.E.O. is forever.”

Chapter P turned 53 years old in April 2023.

To learn more about Chapter P or the P.E.O., contact Jane Sykes at jesykes@techreflex.com or Sandra Cargill at sandra.cargill@gmail.com