The P.E.O. Sisterhood was founded January 21, 1869, by seven young women students
on the campus of Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Friendship is the cornerstone
of P.E.O. and is the legacy left by our Founders, Mary Allen, Hattie Briggs, Alice Bird, Alice Coffin,
Suela Pearson, Franc Roads and Ella Stewart.
Friendship continues to thrive in this sisterhood which is a philanthropic organization where
women celebrate the advancement of women; educate women through scholarships, grants,
awards, loans and stewardship of Cottey College. P.E.O. sisters strive to motivate women to
achieve their highest aspirations.
P.E.O. came to Arizona in 1912 with the organization of Chapter A in Phoenix thanks
to the efforts of Faith McKee who is regarded as the “Mother of Arizona P.E.O.” On April 17, 1931,
Arizona State Chapter was organized with eleven chapters at its first convocation and Faith McKee
was elected the first state president.
Today, Arizona State Chapter has 142 chapters and over 5,254 members.