Daughters of Penelope
District 8 Chapter A080
The Daughters of Penelope is a member of the AHEPA Family. The objectives of the Daughters of Penelope are to promote the social, ethical and intellectual interests of its members; to perpetuate the study of American ideals and to encourage Hellenic study; to cultivate citizenship and patriotism for the United States of America and other countries in which chapters exist; and to preserve the ideals and traditions of Hellenism as a contribution to the development of America. The Daughters of Penelope is non-partisan and non-denominational.
The Daughters of Penelope was the realization of Alexandra Apostolides’ dream. Her desire was to create a woman’s organization. Because of her perseverance, and the encouragement of her husband Dr. Emanuel Apostolides, a devoted Ahepan, she formed Eos Chapter #1 with 25 charter members on November 16, 1929 in San Francisco, California. She was elected the first Grand President in 1931.
Mrs. Apostolides envisioned a new beginning for the Greek American women. She drafted the basic principles of our organization, which became an inspiration to all women.
The Daughters of Penelope is the women’s organization of the AHEPA Family (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association) with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Today it is a leader in philanthropic, educational and cultural activities with over 250 Chapters in United States, Canada, Greece, and with sister Chapters in Australia.
In 1938, the establishment of the first Canadian Chapter in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, by Sister Cleo Girgulis, paved the way for the Daughters of Penelope to become an international organization. The first Daughter’s chapter in Greece was formed in 1956 by Past Grand President Adeline Geo-Karis, making our bonds to the mother country even stronger.
The Daughters of Penelope not only help through monetary contributions. They devote countless hours of volunteer work in hospitals, senior citizen’s homes, women’s and daycare centers. Further they organize educational seminars, award scholarships, sponsor HUD housing, and women’s shelters, help the less fortunate, support their local church, and make a huge difference in their community.
For more information, please visit daughtersofpenelope.org
For Daughters of Penelope Membership Application, please click here.