A Coeur d’Alene chapter of the Philanthropic Education Organization Sisterhood awarded $15,320 in scholarships to eight local women on Thursday at the Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club, marking the group’s continued commitment to advancing educational opportunities in North Idaho. The Best Friends chapter, as the local PEO organization is known, has now distributed 18 scholarships to area women over the past two years, funding degrees and career pursuits ranging from criminal justice to social work.
The scholarships, which support women pursuing higher education credentials across Kootenai County and the Panhandle, are generated through community fundraising efforts. The chapter’s annual geranium sales alone bring in approximately $7,000, while Christmas sales and other initiatives round out the funding base. The organization partners with North Idaho College’s Career Services department to review applications and select recipients who demonstrate academic promise and financial need.
Two Recipients’ Paths Forward
Christen Traversy, one of the 2026 recipients, relocated to Idaho from Canada and has already earned Associate of Arts degrees in criminal justice and pre-law from North Idaho College. Balancing her studies with single parenthood of her 4-year-old daughter, Lucy, Traversy plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology and English before moving into civil divorce law. She told the source publication that the financial assistance provides crucial relief, allowing her to concentrate on coursework and family responsibilities. “I can’t explain how much that this is such a benefit,” Traversy told the Coeur d’Alene Press. “It gives me a lot of financial relief, to focus on my studies and to focus on my daughter.”
Mary Hanlin, another scholarship recipient, came to the Coeur d’Alene area in 2001 following the end of her first marriage. Starting as a waitress and later launching a cleaning business, Hanlin completed her associate degree work at North Idaho College, earning credentials in sociology and philosophy before finishing a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary professional studies through Boise State University’s online program. Now pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Boise State, Hanlin aims to become a therapist and develop support programs within the judicial system.
Hanlin emphasized the importance of mentorship and connection in navigating life’s challenges. “If you are looking for guidance in life and wisdom and good advice, go find some women that are old enough to be your mother or grandmother that you’re not related to,” she told the source publication, highlighting the sisterhood model that PEO has championed for generations, as first reported by the Coeur d’Alene Press.
National Organization, Local Impact
The Best Friends chapter operates as part of PEO International, a philanthropic organization that has distributed nearly $490 million in financial assistance to approximately 132,000 women worldwide. The PEO model centers on women supporting women’s educational advancement, with chapters throughout North America organizing local fundraising and scholarship selection.
The Coeur d’Alene chapter’s focus on sustainable fundraising—particularly through the annual geranium sale—demonstrates how local organizations can generate meaningful educational support without relying solely on large grants or external funding. The partnership with North Idaho College ensures that scholarship criteria align with regional educational needs and that recipients are meaningfully connected to the community they serve.
What Comes Next
The Best Friends chapter continues to accept applications for future scholarship cycles and welcomes community members interested in supporting the organization’s fundraising efforts. Individuals seeking more information about PEO’s local chapter, volunteering opportunities, or scholarship applications can reach out through North Idaho College’s Career Services department or inquire directly at community events throughout Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County.
The chapter’s success in raising funds and distributing scholarships reflects a broader pattern of community organizations across North Idaho stepping up to support educational access. North Idaho College recently won an $82,661 grant to replant trees felled by windstorms, demonstrating how regional institutions and support networks collaborate to strengthen the Panhandle’s quality of life. Similarly, local service organizations like the Rathdrum Lions have mobilized volunteers for community causes, underscoring the civic engagement that characterizes the region.