P.E.O. Scholarship Awards

P.E.O. Scholar Awards are one-time, competitive, merit-based awards for American and Canadian women who are pursuing a doctoral level degree at an accredited college or university. Since the project debuted in 1991, $36.7 million has been awarded to 2,935 women. The amount of the award is now $25K, due to the generosity of over 1000 Laureate chapters. Four women were nominated for the award from Wyoming chapters last year.

The Scholar Awards project rewards academic excellence, and women who are well established, published or who have shown leadership in their field, are given priority. The selection committee has said that they look for women with potential to be someone they read about in the future. An example of a P.E.O. Scholar already making a positive impact on the world around her is Isabella Gomes. Isabella is specializing in ophthalmology as she pursues her medical degree at Washington University in St. Louis in the School of Medicine. She founded and co-runs the Washington University Free Eye Service, providing vision screening for uninsured patients across the city of St. Louis. Isabella was nominated by Chapter JK, Missouri.

Obviously, it is difficult to find female doctoral candidates in Wyoming. There are 39 doctoral programs, more or less, offered by the University of Wyoming. They range from Atmospheric Science to Zoology and Physiology, and lots of fascinating fields in between. Maybe you know a doctoral student who would welcome the support we could provide. To read about previous P.E.O Scholar Award recipients, is to find out that the grant is very welcome to them at a time when they need to be able to devote time to finishing up their courses and dissertation.

There is a 3-month period from August 20 to November 20 when an eligible woman can be nominated by a chapter. She must have at least one full academic year left in her doctoral program and be able to complete the required application within the 45 days of receiving it.

It says on the P.E.O. International website, “P.E.O. Scholars have now assumed leadership positions in their professional careers in university professorships, scientific research, medicine, law, and performing arts, international economics, history, government and other demanding fields. Their positive impact on society affirms the outreach of P.E.O and reinforces the goal of P.E.O. Scholar Awards to become one of the premier academic awards for women in the United States and Canada”

P.E.O. has the ability to help women at the pinnacle of their educational journeys, women who have the passion and perseverance to change the world. P.E.O. Scholars also lift up other women by being leaders in their fields and mentoring other women.

To apply, please visit the P.E.O. Wyoming website at https://wypeo.com/wyoming-scholarships/ or contact Sue Howard at sue.howard8491@gmail.com or (307)660-7980.