A Batesville woman pursuing her dream of becoming a registered nurse has been awarded a $3,500 scholarship by a local chapter of a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting women’s education.
Lauren Mize, a registered nursing student at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, received the WEAVE Scholarship from Batesville’s Chapter BQ of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Jennifer Emery, the chair of Chapter BQ’s WEAVE Scholarship Committee, presented the award on behalf of the organization.
The WEAVE Scholarship—an acronym for “Women Excelling, Achieving, and Valuing Education”—is part of a broader effort by P.E.O. to assist women aged 19 and older who are returning to school after being away for at least a year. The fund was established in 2007 and has since supported numerous women in achieving educational goals. Mize lives in Batesville with her husband, Jacob, and their three children.
Founded in 1869, P.E.O. is an international nonprofit organization devoted to promoting the educational advancement of women. The sisterhood has grown to include approximately 187,000 members across more than 5,400 chapters in the United States, Canada, and other countries. In Arkansas, the organization has about 120 chapters and more than 5,100 members. The state’s first chapter was organized in Eureka Springs in 1892.
Through its scholarships, grants, loans, and educational awards, P.E.O. has helped more than 132,000 women achieve their educational goals, providing nearly $490 million in assistance over the years. Batesville, in particular, is home to three active chapters that regularly host fundraisers and award scholarships to local students.
The organization states that its mission is grounded in its members’ collective support for women pursuing higher education, with its overarching goals rooted in women’s empowerment and accomplishment in their academic and professional pursuits.