Women’s group hopes to expand to the Mat-Su

WASILLA — An international women’s organization with 17 statewide chapters is hoping to put down roots in the Mat-Su Valley.

According to group member Trista Koenig, Philanthropic Educational Organizaion was established in 1869 and is one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America. Koenig explained the group exists to provide scholarships to women of all ages to help with educational pursuits.

“We’re women supporting women through grants, loans and scholarships,” Koenig said during an interview last week.

The group has six chapters in Anchorage and another in Chugiak, but has yet to start a Valley chapter. Koenig — whose daughter-in-law lives in the Valley — said PEO is hoping to change that and that the Mat-Su is a natural fit for the organization.

“We have a number of ladies out in the Valley who have gone to school on educational loans,” she said.

Koenig said there are already almost a dozen women in the Mat-Su who have expressed interest in joining a Valley chapter.

“We need 15 to 20 to get it off the ground,” she said.

In an effort to drum up interest, the group is holding an informational coffee meeting from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Turkey Red in Palmer. Koenig said the meeting will be a chance to hear more about the program and what membership entails.

“Basically it’s just going to be informational to get the word out as to what PEO is,” she said.

Once the new chapter is formed, Koenig said the group will meet on a monthly basis. In addition to raising money for grants, scholarships and loans, PEO also runs an adopt-a-family program around Christmas and participates in other philanthropic activities.

Koenig — who’s been involved in PEO for nearly four decades — said the group is well worth checking out.

“It’s a very rewarding group or I would not have stuck around this long,” she said.

For more information call Koenig at 688-8800 or email her at tkoenig@gci.net. There is also a website for PEO International at peointernational.org.

Contact editor Matt Tunseth at 352-2268 or email news@frontiersman.com