Susanne Seidman
Style Editor

In small towns, sprawling suburbs and big cities across the country, women are quietly meeting over coffee and dessert or lunch to bring educational opportunities to women in need.  Without fanfare or the larger than life publisher’s clearinghouse winner style checks, scholarships are awarded to women ready to learn.

The P.E.O. Sisterhood has a simple mission, promoting educational opportunities for women and it is happening right here in Alexandria.

Local Alexandria Virginia Chapter O of P.E.O. International awarded Andrea Bilson a $2000 Program for Continuing Education grant. Andrea is working towards her associate degree in Health Information Management at Northern Virginia Community College. She is a single mom who sees the future of healthcare records moving on-line as a chance to get current professionally and secure a better career and future for her family.

P.E.O. sponsors grants, scholarships and educational loans in support of education for women at all levels of study, including the International Peace Scholarship established to provide international women the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in the U.S. and Canada.

Congratulations to Andrea Bilson and these local ladies making a difference in the lives of women in our community.