Women's Group Awards $415M in Scholarships Since 1869

Deja Pegues walked away from teaching to care for her autistic son, but she never stopped dreaming about returning to school. Thanks to a century-old women's organization, that dream is now her reality.

The P.E.O. Philanthropic Educational Organization recently awarded Pegues a $4,000 grant to pursue certification in midwifery. She's now completing clinical hours overseas while studying, a second chance she credits to the support of local women who understood her journey.

P.E.O. Chapter KR in Palos Heights has been making moments like this happen since its founding. The chapter serves women throughout Chicago's southwest suburbs, from Oak Lawn to Plainfield, balancing monthly gatherings with serious scholarship work.

"We're here to support women when they need it most," said Denise Prohaska, the chapter's treasurer and scholarship co-chair. She's watched nearly two decades of transformations, each one starting with a simple grant or scholarship.

The organization's roots stretch back to 1869, when seven students at Iowa Wesleyan University decided women deserved better access to education. Their vision grew into thousands of chapters across the United States and Canada, now totaling more than $415 million awarded to 122,000 women.

Chapter KR focuses heavily on women whose education got interrupted. Their Program for Continuing Education targets mothers, caregivers and others who stepped away from school and are ready to return. The chapter also created two $1,000 scholarships specifically for students pursuing community college or trade education, recognizing that success doesn't always mean a four-year degree.

This spring, Victoria Ortiz of Shepard High School and Rachel Lacina of Stagg High School will receive those local scholarships. Pegues will share her story at the chapter's April 24 fundraiser at Moraine Valley Church, where a historical reenactment about Vietnam War nurses will also honor women's contributions to history.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond individual scholarships, Chapter KR volunteers at Feed My Starving Children in Aurora and supports the Crisis Center for Women. Statewide P.E.O. efforts help older women with housing, medical expenses and home repairs, extending the mission beyond education into essential needs.

Jackie Durkin of Palos Heights celebrated 50 years with P.E.O. last summer, proof that this sisterhood holds lasting meaning. Members join by invitation, creating bonds built on trust and shared purpose rather than just meetings and fundraisers.

The chapter raises funds through spring flower sales, fall mum sales and their annual spring event, turning suburban gardeners into scholarship supporters one plant at a time.

Pegues will soon complete her midwifery certification, ready to bring new life into the world while modeling resilience for her son. Prohaska sees stories like hers as the heart of everything P.E.O. does, one woman's forward movement creating momentum for the next.