P.E.O Chapter AU Announcement

Since its inception in 1869, and through its six philanthropies, the women of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) have been “helping women reach for the stars” by celebrating the advancement of women; educating women through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College; and motivating women to achieve their highest aspirations.”

What started 150 years ago with a bond of friendship among seven women in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America with more than 213,000 members in 5,800 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. This non-profit organization has helped more than 119,000* women pursue educational goals by providing over $398 million* in educational assistance.

Of the four philanthropies that offer scholarships and grants, Chapter AU of Blacksburg, VA recently has successfully sponsored five young women who have received awards: International Peace Scholarship (IPS), Scholar Award (PSA), STAR Scholarship (STAR), Program for Continuing Education (PCE).

Two women sponsored by Chapter AU received IPS funding. This philanthropy was “established in 1949 to provide scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada.”

Natalia Varela Valenzuela of Chile will graduate from Virginia Tech in December, 2022, with a PhD in Geosciences. Her research has taken her to far-flung regions including Norway, Iceland, and the Antarctic where she and her team drill sediment and rock cores that date back millions of years. The particular focus of this research relates to climate change.

Lynn-Marie Edwards of Trinidad-Tobago is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Management at the University of Maryland with plans to graduate in May, 2023. Her ultimate goal is to be a management specialist in government, returning to her home country to work in the administrative area of the Judiciary to make its service delivery more efficient and effective.

Chapter AU also has a PSA awardee, Sabrina Campelo. The philanthropy was “established in 1991 to provide substantial merit-based awards for women of the U.S. and Canada who are pursuing a doctoral-level degree at an accredited college or university.”

Sabrina is working toward a PhD in Bioelectromechanical Systems at the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. She has a background in radiation therapy and her current research focuses on novel cancer therapies. Her parents, a Colombian immigrant and a Cuban refugee, instilled in her the belief that almost anything can be achieved with effort, passion, and persistence.

Blacksburg High School 2022 graduate, Ayca Bulbul, is Chapter AU’s sponsored winner of a STAR Scholarship. STAR was “established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional high school senior women to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year.” Ayca completed a stellar program of study, graduating with honors. Her passion was robotics and STEM courses. She was active in the BHS Technology Student Association, serving as president and winning awards on the regional, state, and/or national levels in twelve different career categories. While still in high school, she did research with Purdue University Science Program and Virginia Tech Department of Mining Engineering. She will attend Carnegie Mellon University in the fall to pursue a degree in computational biology. Her ultimate goal is to improve the health and well-being of society through academic or corporate research.

P.E.O. established its PCE “in 1973 to provide need-based grants to women whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete a degree or certification that will improve their marketable skills for employment to support themselves and/or their families.”

With the aid of a PCE grant, Katherine Coffey Lines graduated this spring from Georgia State University with Master of Public Administration degree. Her area of concentration was in Nonprofit Management. She is now employed by Delta Airlines as a member of its Global Events and Sponsorships team.

Chapter AU also offers scholarships from its own Jean B. Duerr Memorial Fund. This local scholarship was established by her husband in loving memory of his wife. Jean Duerr was a past president and loyal member of Chapter AU and the P.E.O. sisterhood until her death in 1991. Her husband established the Jean B. Duerr Memorial Scholarship as a loving tribute to his wife’s memory.

Each year women students (undergraduate or graduate) who plan to attend, or are already enrolled in, an accredited college or university for the next academic year can apply. Scholarships of approximately $2000 ($1000 per semester) are awarded to those applicants who best demonstrate academic achievement and community service.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, Chapter AU has awarded five scholarships to deserving young women.

• Ann Rae Sisson, recently graduated from Eastern Montgomery High School, plans to achieve a degree in Animal and Poultry Science at Virginia Tech. Ultimately, Ann hopes to own and operate an equine/livestock production.
• Evangelina Olivera, currently enrolled at Pacific Northwest University College of Osteopathic Medicine, will continue to pursue her DO at the same institution. Her future plans are to bring her compassion, innovation and curiosity to her patients by holistically providing care and treatment.
• Kylene Monaghan, a 2022 graduate of Blacksburg High School, will attend Sewanee University pursuing a dual degree in Math and Chemical Engineering and playing varsity soccer. Her long-term goal is to become a mechanical or chemical engineer.
• Darby McPhail hopes to earn a MS in Fish and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Tech. She plans to continue her education through the doctoral level. She will then use her background in wild felids (cats) and teaching skills to instill in future generations a respect for the natural world.
• Elise Moore, currently enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is pursuing her MA in Christian Marriage, Family and Individual Counseling. Her goal is to obtain a PhD in Education and ultimately enjoy a career in counseling, ministry, international affairs and relief work.
  *As of April, 2022

To learn more about P.E.O., its powerful educational philanthropies and see stories of women who have benefited from the programs, visit peointernational.org .

To learn more about Chapter AU’s Jean B. Duerr Memorial Scholarships, send an email to: JBDscholar@gmail.com