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Actually, I think PEO may have secrets (and just to remind everyone, Chapter S of PEO became AXD's Beta chapter!)
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P.E.O. (it's always written with the periods) has a ritual and a
secret motto.
It was founded on January 21, 1869, by 7 women at Iowa Wesleyan College. Pi Beta Phi had established a chapter there in 1868 (its second)--Pi Phi was still I.C. Sorosis in those days, so P.E.O.'s English name was not exceptional. Some of the 7 had been invited to join I.C. and some had not, so they decided to start their own society. Within a few weeks of their founding they had initiated 8 more members.
P.E.O. differed from Pi Beta Phi, Beta Theta Pi, and Phi Delta Theta (all at IWC) in that it did not have a pledge period. Upon accepting an invitation to membership, the woman was initiated. That became problematic with college regulations for fraternal organizations. In 1902 the members of Chapter S asked founder Alice Bird Babb what they should do. "She urged them to join a good sorority, preferably a new one. But no hasty decisions were made. Alpha Xi Delta was considered favorably....and on June 7, 1902, [the members of Chapter S] formed the Beta Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta."
P.E.O. decided from that point on that its chapters would be community, rather than college-based. And thus members of NPC groups, like me, can also be members of P.E.O. (It's neat to meet "double" sisters!)
As of March 1, 2001, P.E.O. has 5,866 active chapters (401 disbanded); 251,870 active members (81,228 inactive). Assets in the general fund and the project funds approx. $54million, plus the assets of Cottey College in Nevada, MO, which P.E.O. owns.
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