Honoring Our Founders with International P.E.O. Day

THE STORY SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF P.E.O. has been lovingly passed down over the years. Seven young women, who later became known as our Founders, decided to start a “society of our own” and did just that on January 21, 1869. Each year, P.E.O.s recognize January 21 as Founders’ Day to honor those original, trail-blazing women.

P.E.O. Founders’ Day was adopted at the 1915 Convention of Supreme Chapter. Since then, Founders’ Day has become a part of  P.E.O. tradition, commemorated across the Sisterhood with teas, luncheons and a variety of historical programs. In addition to these time-honored events, starting in January 2025, P.E.O.s are encouraged to reenvision Founders’ Day with a new concept—International P.E.O. Day.

International P.E.O. Day is an opportunity to honor our Founders through community service. Chapters, reciprocities and members are all encouraged to show their pride in P.E.O. by wearing their favorite P.E.O. apparel with daisies or stars, and engaging in community service or acts of kindness. Invite friends and family to join the fun as this is a great opportunity to showcase our love for P.E.O. and one another. As you are visible in your community, be prepared to talk about P.E.O. and share the impact of our educational philanthropies.

If January 21 is not the best day for your P.E.O. Day efforts, focus on the intention, not the calendar. Schedule another day that best suits your plans and no matter the date, remember to snap a photo of your International P.E.O. Day activities and send it to mediamanager@peodsm.org. Your submission may show up on social media, in The P.E.O. Record or even at Convention of International Chapter!

The spontaneous vision of our seven Founders created a sisterhood that has provided 156 years of friendship and philanthropy for hundreds of thousands of women. International P.E.O. Day carries that vision forward with a new opportunity to recognize our past while celebrating our future. Imagine the impact of our joined efforts and make plans to celebrate International P.E.O. Day!