Special to the Times Vedette
P.E.O. Chapter BY members held a Christmas social at the Par 3 Clubhouse in Panora earlier this month. P.E.O. is an international organization “Where women motivate, educate and celebrate women,” as stated in the group’s new mission statement. More than 50 members and guests were present for the luncheon, which included a program and introduction of Charity Nya Njeshi, recipient of the International Peace Scholarship.
Njeshi recently earned a PhD from Iowa State University as a toxicologist and pharmacologist. Her studies focus on developing new treatments for parasitic worm (nematode) infections like river blindness (onchocerciasis) by targeting ion channels. She uses electrophysiology and molecular biology to find drugs that disrupt parasite function, aiming for better global health solutions in drug discovery and communication.
The P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund (IPS) is a fund established in 1949 to provide scholarships for women from other countries for graduate study in the U.S. or Canada. The maximum award amount is $12,500, and the scholarship fosters global peace through education.
According to P.E.O., “IPS recipients carry the spirit of P.E.O. back to their home countries, where the degrees they have earned positively impact people’s lives around the globe.”
“Besides financial support, we provide recipients with a community to support them with concern and encouragement,” says Ruth Rowedder, Chapter BY International Peace Scholar chair, who, along with Tamara Deal, maintained regular communication with Charity. Throughout the year, Chapter BY members sent care packages, gift cards and notes of support.
“I truly believe I would not have been able to complete my doctorate without the support of P.E.O.,” she said in her comments at the luncheon. She suffered a number of health issues during the last three years, but persevered to achieve her doctorate.
Njeshi is originally from Cameroon, where she worked for the Ministry of Public Health for more than a decade before moving to the United States to study at Iowa State. She plans to return to Cameroon when the political unrest subsides.
P.E.O. is focused on fostering female advancement in education through scholarships, grants, loans and support for Cottey College, all within a sisterhood of friendship and belonging.
Attendees also brought gifts to be given to 3C’s to support children of families in need during the holidays.
Cutline: Ruth Rowedder, Chapter BY International Peace Scholar chair (left), and JoAnn Alumbaugh, president of P.E.O. Chapter BY (right) are pictured here with International Peace Scholar recipient Charity Nya Njeshi, who recently received her doctorate from Iowa State University.
Brenda Kay Sheeder, a loving mother, devoted wife and cherished friend, passed away in Guthrie Center on Dec. 17, 2025, at the age of 67.