P.E.O. Scholar Awards—those prestigious scholarships reserved for the best and the brightest—the future leaders of our country—the stars of tomorrow. Has your chapter found such a woman to nominate? Has your chapter had the opportunity to love and support a Scholar? Has your chapter been disappointed when your nominee was not selected? Is your chapter starting to feel disillusioned about supporting Scholar Awards when you have not had a successful nominee? What can your chapter do to help support Scholar Awards when you don’t know anyone to nominate?
Over the past 20 plus years, P.E.O. has awarded almost $15,000,000 in Scholar Awards to 1,645 outstanding women. These women have now assumed leadership positions in their professional careers in university professorships, 
scientific research, medicine, law, the performing arts, international economics, history, government and other demanding fields. They are truly making a difference, and all P.E.O.s should be proud of having supported them in their educational pursuits—regardless of who nominated them.
Recognizing that not all chapters have the opportunity to nominate such a woman for a Scholar Award, a new program has been created to help all local P.E.O. chapters feel the pride of ownership in the Scholar Awards project. The P.E.O. Scholar Awards Laureate Chapter Program is designed to encourage local chapters to promote and support the Scholar Awards project. Because Laureate means “worthy of the greatest honor or distinction” it is a fitting descriptor for our participating chapters.
There are currently two ways to become a Laureate Chapter:
- A chapter that has nominated a successful Scholar will automatically be designated as a Laureate Chapter for the year of selection.
- A chapter that makes a lump sum contribution of $500 or more through the normal process will be identified by the Scholar Awards office for designation as a Laureate Chapter. (Recording of donations will start January 1, 2012, and recognition will be based on contributions received through December 31 each year.)
Individuals who wish to make a contribution of $500 or more with credit going to their local chapter may submit the contribution directly to the Scholar Awards office, identifying their chapter in the submission. As an alternative, an individual credit card contribution of $500 or more may be made through the P.E.O. website, with the chapter being identified in the submission.
Chapters designated as Laureate Chapters will be acknowledged in a number of different ways. Plans to date include:
- Recognition at state/provincial/district (s/p/d) conventions with the presentation of special Laureate Chapter certificates and ribbons/stickers to attach to delegate name badges.*
- Listing Laureate Chapters on the PSA webpage.
- Having a Laureate Chapter display at the Scholar Awards booth at Convention of International Chapter.
- Asking s/p/d Scholar Award chairmen to feature Laureate Chapters in their s/p/d displays, newsletters, emails and other promotions.
As the Laureate Chapter recognition program takes hold and grows, other forms of eligibility and recognition may be added. Your ideas are welcome!
Challenge your chapter to become a PSA Laureate Chapter. Send us those outstanding women as PSA nominees. Show your support for the project with your $500 or more contribution. If possible, do both! The future of the P.E.O. Scholar Awards depends on the loyal support and continued interest of the P.E.O. Sisterhood—and that means your chapter. We want to see your chapter listed under the Laurel Wreath!
*Chapters in subordinate territory will receive Laureate Chapter materials directly.
