WV State Board Laura Lee Haddad, Kim McLaughlin, Julie Bolin, Barbara Pavel-Alvarez, Ceci Edgell

On April 25th, the members of the West Virginia Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood installed their new state board during the 63rd annual meeting of the West Virginia State Convention of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. P.E.O. was established in 1869 by seven women who decided to form a society of their own after several of their friends were left out from an invitation to join a different sorority at Iowa Wesleyan University in Iowa. From those humble beginnings, the organization grew and became a philanthropy to fund women’s educational goals. Chapter U in New Martinsville has continued to have members that are willing to step forward to serve the state. Current President, Julia Bolin, is beginning her final year on the WV State Board, serving over 900-chapter members throughout the state. Ceci Edgell was installed as State Secretary, beginning her five-year service to the state.

Past state Presidents, Carol Burnside and Barb Daly also attended the 63rd Annual Convention of West Virginia State Chapter held at Wheeling Island Casino and Resort.

Chapter U has served the state several times over the years. During the 1993-1994 year, Eleanor Ratcliffe served as President with her theme “P.E.O.’s That Special Touch”. Carol Couch served as President in 1998-1999 and her theme was “Planting a P.E.O. Garden for Life”. Carol Burnside stepped forward as President in 2015-2016 with her theme of P.E.O.: Radiate All Light Possible and in 2021-2022, Barb Daly served with her theme “The Harmony of Our Hearts”.

Julie Bolin’s theme for the 2026-2027 year is: “You Do You…Let’s P.E.O. Together!

P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization that raises funds for women’s educational goals. There are six philanthropic projects: the Educational Loan Fund (ELF); the Program for Continuing Education (PCE); Scholar Awards (PSA), International Peace Scholarship (IPS), Cottey College; STAR scholarship. The current state board is: Julie Bolin, President; Barbara Pavel-Alvarez, Vice President; Laura Lee Haddad, Organizer; Kim McLaughlin, Treasurer; Ceci Edgell, Secretary.

P.E.O.’s mission is to Motivate, Educate, and Celebrate Women! For more information, please visit peointernational.org