1. law, govt and politics
2. armed forces
3. army

May 2015 VOL. #17 ISSUE #2 Daughters of Penelope Penelope’s Scroll
In This Issue: GP’s Theme: INSPIRE Page Grand President’s Message 01 Growth & Expansion Message 02 DOP Special Event Press Release 04 A Few Words from the Grand Lodge 05 Headquarters & Supreme Conven on Info 13 DOP Conven on Album Ad Form 15 Congress Commemorates 85th Anniversary 16 Greek‐American Women in the Armed Forces 10 News from the Daughters of Penelope Districts 21 News from the Daughters of Penelope Chapters 27 News from our Projects 53 Thank You to our Sponsors 55
See you in San Fran, CA for our Supreme Conven on & 85th Anniversary Celebra on July 1‐5, 2015. Details coming soon! Website: www.daughtersofpenelope.org
Daughters of Penelope
Supreme Headquarters
Telephone 202.234.9741
Facsimile 202.483.6983
1909 Q Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
DOP Facebook: www.facebook.com/
daughtersofpenelope
DOP Twitter: www.twitter.com/
DOPHeadquarters
GRAND PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Sisters,
Since I was elected Grand President at the Supreme Convention in
New Orleans I have been afforded so many wonderful opportunities. I
am so appreciative for the remarkable kindness and hospitality encountered on my visitations to Chapter, District and Community meetings
and events. Indeed I am happy to say that we have inspired each other
to accomplish our goals and strive to achieve even more all year long.
Over the past few months the Daughters have triumphed in many ways.
We welcomed new members into the Congressional Women’s Rights
Caucus, Awarded the Inaugural Philanthropy Award to the National
Philoptochos, and travelled to Biltmore Hotel in Providence, RI to relive the past of 1939 AHEPA Supreme Convention as our Founder
Alexandra Apostolidis did over 75 years ago. In addition, we hosted
many events to support the GP Project of the Rebuilding of St. Nicholas Shrine, National Projects and so much more.
As we look ahead in the upcoming months so much is yet to come.
First, the AHEPA Family will participate in the AHEPA Family Capitol Hill Day. On this day we will have the unique privilege to educate
our Legislators about Issues of Importance to the American Hellenic
Community, help build the Hellenic, Victims Rights and Bully Caucuses. Next, that same evening we will celebrate the 41st Biennial National Banquet at which we will honor many worthy recipients. The
Daughters will honor the accomplishments of Honoree Ambassador
Eleni Kounalakis-Tsakopoulos. Lastly, the AHEPA Family will embark on the AHEPA Family Excursion. I look forward to travelling
with the AHEPA Supreme President, Grand President of the MOA, our
Executive Directors and officers of the AHEPA Family. Most significantly, we will all have the privilege of visiting with His All Holiness
Patriarch Bartholomew, many Dignitaries and AHEPA Family members in Komotini, Thessaloniki, Cyprus and Athens.
And now excitement is building as we prepare for the culmination of
this year and our organization rejoices in Celebration of 85 years of
Excellence at the 93rd AHEPA Family Supreme Convention in San
Francisco. Finally, I await the rest of my journey as Grand President,
foresee that many more exciting memories are yet to be created and
hope that we always remember to be an inspiration to someone each
and everyday.
GRAND PRESIDENT’S TRAVEL ITINERARY
May 5-17, 2015
AHEPA Family President’s Trip to
Constantinople, Greece and Cyprus
June 28-July 5
AHEPA Family Supreme Convention
San Francisco, California
“Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where
there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.” Ella Fitzgerald
With Respect and Love in Theta Pi,
Anna-Helene Grossomanides
Grand President
INSPIRE
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Daughters of Penelope
1909 Q Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.234.9741
Fax: 202.483.6983
Web: www.daughtersofpenelope.org
E-mail: [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Daughters of Penelope Honors the National Philoptochos Society with Inaugural Philanthropy Award WASHINGTON (March 24, 2015)—The Daughters of Penelope (DOP), a leading international women’s organization, presented the National Philoptochos Society with the DOP’s inaugural Philanthropy Award at a reception held in honor of the National Philoptochos Society, March 20, 2015, at the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Headquarters, Washington, D.C. “We honor the National Philoptochos Society for its implementation of philanthropic programs to benefit the community,” DOP Grand President Anna‐Helene Grossomanides said. Arlene Siavelis Kehl, First Vice President, National Philoptochos Society accepted the award on behalf of National Philoptochos President Maria Logus. The event also served as a fundraiser for the campaign to rebuild Saint Nicholas National Shrine at World Trade Center. Entertainer Kalomira, Greece’s sweetheart and pop phenomenon sang the Greek and American national anthems. Dignitaries in attendance included: His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, who represented Archbishop Demetrios and read a letter on his behalf; Eleftheria Aristotelous, second secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, who represented Ambassador George Chacalli; and several national board members of the National Philoptochos Society and DC‐area parish priests. Left to Right: First Vice President of National Philoptochos Society Arlene Siavelis Kehl, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, and DOP Grand President Anna‐Helene Grossomanides 2
Daughters of Penelope
1909 Q Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202.234.9741
Fax: 202.483.6983
Web: www.daughtersofpenelope.org
E-mail: [email protected]
A number of Daughters of Penelope Grand Lodge officers, past and present, attended, including: Past Grand Presidents Dr. Mary Filou, Elaine Kevgas, Joanne Saltas, and Evellyn Tsiadis; Grand Vice President Connie Pilallis, Grand Secretary Jan Spanos, Grand Governor Zone I Julia Collins, District Governor No. 3 Kathy Matrakas and MOA Past Grand President Stephanie Maniatis. Past AHEPA Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides also attended. Above Left Photo ‐ Left to Right Back Row: DOP Past Grand President Joanne Saltas, DOP Past Grand President Elaine Kevgas, DOP Past Grand President Evellyn Tsiadis, MOA Past Grand President Stephanie Maniatis, and DOP Grand Governor Zone I Julia Collins. Left to Right Front Row: DOP Grand President Anna‐Helene Grossomanides and DOP Grand Secretary Jan Spanos. Above Right Photo – DOP Grand President Anna‐Helene Grossomanides, First Vice President of National Philoptochos Society Arlene Siavelis Kehl, His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela , DOP Past Grand President Evellyn Tsiadis and National Board Members of the National Philoptochos Society The mission of the DOP, an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence through community service and volunteerism. Please visit www.daughtersofpenelope.org for more information about the DOP or any of its programs or projects. # # # 3
Growth and Expansion
Connie Pilallis
Grand Vice President
Dear Sisters:
This month the Challenge is about – here’s a surprise - Growth and Expansion! The Grand Vice President
spearheads the campaign for Growth & Expansion. We all have the responsibility however to make an effort
to join the campaign and help our organization thrive and grow. This month I would like to present three
key categories:
First – Recruitment
 We have to SELL OUR BRAND - sisterhood, philanthropy and preserving the ideals of the Daughters of
Penelope.
 When an issue or inquiry is brought up from a chapter or a Sister, FOLLOW UP.
 PUBLICITY is vital.
Second – Training
 After an initiation takes place, be sure to INVOLVE the new members. If the members do not feel they
are involved and/or play a role in the chapter, these members will most likely lose interest and become delinquent the following year.
 DISCOVER AN INITIATE’S STRENGTH. You may learn that the new member has certain skills that
could really help promote or organize the chapter.
 Use materials available on the DOP website to create a GUIDE BOOK. The website lists all pertinent
information and forms a chapter would need.
Third – Retaining
 LISTEN to your new members. Everyone’s voice is important so please be sure to value the opinions
and ideas of new members.
 ENCOURAGE a new Sister. If a member is encouraged, she will be motivated to help in DOP activities.
 SCHEDULE MEETINGS to serve member needs. Try your best to accommodate your members’ schedules. Each year conduct a survey as to what days, times and locations are most cost beneficial and commuter
friendly to help assist in scheduling monthly meetings.
 Sisters, the Challenge is to present ideas to effect (and affect) each of these three categories.
Three prizes will be awarded, so email me your ideas today!
Email your ideas for each category to Grand VP Connie Pilallis at [email protected] by June 1st!
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News from our
Grand Lodge Officers!
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Promoting Education
Christina Andrews
Canadian President
Promoting Education is an important part of who we are as Daughters of Penelope.
One of the objectives of the Daughters of Penelope is to promote education. This mission was at the
heart of the inception of the AHEPA family and it continues today in many forms.
Our scholarship programs not only provide assistance and new opportunities for our youth, but they
emphasize how much we value education as a tool of long term value and advantage.
Other educational programs focus on bringing education about Greek culture and history to others.
As important is encouraging lifelong learning for personal development and for chapter/district initiatives. Planned educational components at meetings and conferences garner interest in members
and help us to retain membership. Evenings about Greek music and poetry, dramas, new artists, lectures by successful Greeks, etc. make learning both interesting and social.
And, initiatives such as reviewing parliamentary procedure and becoming an effective officer are
important learning experiences as we develop leadership capabilities in our organization. Being open
to listening and learning, we learn and apply more effective ways of operating our chapter and district programs.
Therefore, promoting education in our youth, promoting education about who we are, and promoting
continuing self education are all equally important to growing as an organization, preparing knowledgeable future leaders, and becoming self aware as individuals.
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HAIL and HOORAY DISTRICTS 7, 11 and 17
Jan Spanos
Grand Secretary
These three (3) Districts are filled with amazing women, who not only give to their families and
communities but as members of the Daughters of Penelope are living our Mission Statement. Their
individual and group participation is activities are unbelievably inspiriting.
Districts 7, 11 and 17 are the homes of such a diverse collection of our Sisters; they are lawyers,
judges, legislative aides, doctors of medicine, nurses, teachers, principals, restaurateurs, pilots, military reservists, media personalities, journalists, novelists, photographers, bakers, hairdressers, personal trainers, grandmothers, mothers, Godmothers, aunts, cousins, sisters and most importantly we
can all call each other SISTER as members of the Daughters of Penelope. AND wouldn’t our
founder Alexandra Apostolides along with the other members of our found Chapter EOS #1 be
proud of what Greek, Greek-American and American-Greek women have been able to achieve since
our founding 85 years ago!
District Conventions are on the horizon and as such these three chapters have made sure that they
have staged their conventions on weekends that allow me, the opportunity to attend each and to express my gratitude to them in person. Some of the members of these District Lodges will be returning to their respective positions, some will rise to the next position and some will opt to return to
their home Chapters to assist with Growth and Expansion there. HAIL and a shout out of congratulates to the retiring Lodge members for their hard work and dedication to our Order.
From Christmas wreaths, to Easter Tsourekia; from blankets, booties and caps for new infants and
the elderly; from food drives to clothing drives; from blood donors to transporters for chemotherapy; from the Walk for the Cure (breast cancer research) and Sjogren’s Syndrome; to the runners
for campaigns like Feed the Hungary, childhood diabetes, anti-bullying and family violence…
Districts 7, 11 and 17 have been avid in their support and participation. HOORAY to all!
Whenever, you have the opportunity to visit these amazing Districts, please do so. Learn from them
and share your experiences. Together we can make an overall difference for the betterment of all of
our Chapters and our Order. NOW pack your bags and make your reservations to be in San Francisco the week of the July 4th and visit our PENELOPE at the famed deYoung Museum with Eos #1.
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The Three Rs
Recruit, Retain, Reward
Eva Jean Fomalont
Grand Treasurer
The Daughters of Penelope was the realization of Alexandra Apostolides’ dream. Her desire was to
create a woman’s organization and because of her perseverance and the encouragement of her husband Dr. Emanuel Apostolides, a devoted AHEPAN, she formed EOS Chapter#1 with 25 chapter
members on November 16, 1929 in San Francisco, California. In 1931 she was elected the first
Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope. The objectives of DOP are to promote Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, Family and Individual Excellence.
EIGHTY FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
And the Beat Goes On
A Human heart beats 104,000 times a day
38,000,000 times a year
RECRUIT
Equate the human heart beat to the thousands of members of Daughters of Penelope who could invite one friend, relative, co-worker or acquaintance to join. The personal invitation and initiation
would double our membership.
Personal Touch – when you invite - always have an application in your possession.
Create a Welcome letter for all new members describing our objectives
RETAIN
Member retention begins at the time of initiation.
Assign a mentor sister to each new member.
Involve new member in committees work – do not overwhelm the member.
REWARD
Celebrate the Chapter successes
Honor Anniversaries
Acknowledge personal achievements
We must welcome the future, remembering that soon it will be the past.
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Wonderful Journey
Julia Macris Collins
Grand Governor Zone 1
This past year has been a wonderful journey visiting Sisters through out the country. To keep our organization vital and strong, we must become more active in recruitment and retaining members. It is
important to inform others on what we do for our communities, such as raising monies for our scholarships, helping women in need, feeding families, and fighting to battle debilitating diseases.
Ensure that your Chapter has a sister in charge of public relations. Promote your chapter functions in
the community, via flyers, radio, local newspapers and church bulletins. Have a booth or table at
these Church, and AHEPA family functions to promote the Daughter of Penelope. Have the chapter
make a photo album showing what they have accomplished in the past, and at that time, have registration forms available for new prospects.
My suggestion to the chapters is to vote in to your budget either a specified amount or to pay one
year of dues to the Sister who brings in the most new members that year. This will give our sisters an
incentive to become more diligent in recruiting new members
With this in place we must also retain our members. Everybody likes to be acknowledged and
thanked for their hard work. Sisters please remember that we are all volunteers. Everyone likes to
feel useful, important and part of the group. We must use the strength of our sister’s abilities. Give
each Sister in the chapter a job or function. For example, Sisters that do not drive or get around well
put them in charge of making something to be raffled. i.e.: knitting, baking, or handicrafts. Many of
our Sisters are talented in this way. They can do this at their leisure at home. Members with computer skills could possibly develop and maintain a web site for the chapter. They can make the flyers for
the chapter functions. Some members who work in the business community could be asked to give a
speech at a meeting, on their area of expertise Sisters should strive to strengthen their chapter and
our organization, by doing things that they love to do.
In closing, the Daughters of Penelope is a vital and integral division of the AHEPA family. We have
achieved many admirable and important tasks throughout the years to benefit the country, both for
people of Hellenic decent and people in need. We must continue to grow, therefore we must be diligent in recruitment and retention of our members or we become stagnant and fail.
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What the Daughters of Penelope Means to Me
Aspa Kostopoulos
Grand Governor Zone II
I first heard about this organization when I was in university in 1980, where my professor gave a three hours lecture
on the AHEPA Family: how it began, why it began, and where the organization is heading. I later attended a few of
the dances that the chapters held and did not think about it until in the mid 90’s I met a few of the Daughters at another fund raising event and they invited me to join. I did not know what I was getting into. My first few meetings were
interesting and then we began to work on the District Convention and were invited to be part of the committee. Since
I joined in 1999 I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting know so many wonderful women that have contributed to their community. Women, who have worked so diligently to enrich the organization, raise money and donate to
many, many organization in their home city and around the world. Women who have been members for 50 to 60
years. How great is it to hear from members that they love this organization and will continue to work in it forever.
Women who will spend endless hours on projects and ensure that the events are well organized to ensure that they
are successful and all will enjoy it. Women who have raised money and lobbied for funds to build homes for seniors,
abused women and rent geared to income. Hearing the stories that our members share has been wonderful, going
down memory lane and creating new ones.
Sisters, my dream would be that we all work to continue the dream that our founders created. We work in harmony
and peace and understand and respect each other. We all have talents that we bring to the organization and all are
welcomed. Sharing our ideas across the world and being known as the organization that will continue to support and
provide assistance as needed. Traveling across Canada and the USA and learning of the fabulous projects that the
Daughters have started and continue to support, really brings a sense of pride in being a member.
I encourage you to continue to work together, to enrich the organization and bring more women to join. It is an organization rich in history and we should all be proud in what we have accomplished, since 1929. Making friendship
with women from around the world, how great is that.
It has been worth joining the Daughters of Penelope and wish that my message will bring a little spark in our lives.
This year we will be celebrating our 85th anniversary and hope that we will all be able to be together in San Francisco to party together.
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Fundraising
Anne-Marie Cariotis
Grand Governor Zone III
Everywhere I travelled in my liaison districts this year, fundraising was always a topic of discussion.
I heard about new fundraising ideas (at least new to me), tried and true methods, and the frustration
of needing a fresh approach but not knowing quite what that was. Daughters chapters support
MANY worthwhile projects locally, district wide, and nationally. Funding those projects is a huge
undertaking every year. We are all members of many organizations in our communities, so it is no
surprise we seem to be going after the same dollar. I’ve enjoyed learning how my liaison chapters
have gotten creative in the quest to fund their budgets.
Sisters in District 5 participated in some unique fundraisers this year. Nike #230 (Cherry Hill, NJ)
held a Tea Party with a Nutcracker theme, featuring a live ballet performance! This event not only
made the chapter money for FARA, but they received some great publicity as well. Agape #336
(Wyckoff, NJ) took orders and sold loaves of tsoureki on Palm Sunday. Tethys #229 (New Brunswick, NJ) held a fashion show with fashions modeled by community members and one adorable service dog. Proceeds benefited the District Project. The District 5 fundraiser is a raffle for a $500 Visa
gift card.
Sisters in District 16 really thought outside the box for fundraising ideas this year. Terpsichore #105
(Dallas, TX) held a Casino Night with all proceeds benefitting a new Iconography project. A fun
evening was had by all by playing blackjack, craps, poker, and bidding in the silent auction. Ajax
#211 (Shreveport, LA) held another successful Super Bowl pool. This is a longstanding event that
always attracts support. Achaia #54 and Aura #405 (Houston, TX) held a joint fundraiser. “The Spirit of Greece” was a presentation of Greek wines and food.
Sisters in District 21 have been hard at work for fundraising all year. One of their easiest ways to
make money is participating in the District Fundraiser. For every District raffle ticket sold, the chapter gets a $3 rebate. Phaedra #64 (Modesto, CA) is getting ready to host a “Symphony of Settings”
High Tea Luncheon. Guests will get an afternoon of beautiful table settings, great food, and raffle
prizes. Sparta #18 (Stockton, CA) held a “Sip & Shop”. They invited local businesses to be vendors
and attendees were able to shop while sipping wine and sampling savory and sweet bites.
These are just a few examples of how chapters in Districts 5, 16, and 21 are working to fund their
projects and charities. Continue sharing your chapter newsletters and event flyers. Use your websites
and social media to advertise. Your event may spark interest or a new idea in other chapters across
the Daughters domain.
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FUNDRAISERS
DISTRICT #2, #12, AND #20
Diane Petersen
Grand Governor Zone IV
What are fundraisers? Definition: a social event held to collect revenue for a cause or charity. Fundraisers
for the Daughters of Penelope are: (1) name recognition for our organization, (2) revenue for Districts,
Chapters, and charities, and (3) FUN EVENTS. List of some things to do to make it a success: (1) advertise, (2) presale tickets, (3) sponsors (donations from members, community), (4) theme, and (5) contracts
(hall, restaurant & etc.).
My Liaison Districts have fundraisers: #2 angel pins; #12 Daughters of Penelope patches, coasters, and
cook books; and #20 a blue 9” cutting board (Kali Orexi) written on it, and District raffle tickets with monetary prizes.
DISTRICT PROJECTS
District #12’s Project is called “District #12 Team”, a two-year project to walk or run for Alzheimer’s. They
sell 50/50 raffle tickets, and also solicit donations from the community on the website. Their goal is
$10,000.00 by June 1, 2015. The participates are from the five chapters Fort Wayne, Hammond, South
Bend, Merrillville, and Indianapolis. District Governor Kathy Zotos also walks in these events.
District #20’s Project is “Guide Dogs of America of Sylmar, CA”. They have had this project for over 20
years. They sponsor and name a dog to become a guide dog. Donations come from their 14 chapters—CA-Los Angeles, San Pedro, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Hollywood, San Bernadino, Long Beach, North San Diego, Torrance, Temecula; NV—Las Vegas; AZ Tucson, Chandler, Phoenix.
CHAPTERS
The number one fundraiser for my Liaison Chapters were Christmas events with raffles to benefit their charities. Items that were raffled off: gift baskets, gift certificates, candy, wine, plants, and etc. Los Angeles
and Hollywood held their annual joint Christmas party benefitting Penelope House and netted close to
$1,500.00.
Fashion Shows galore in District #2—Chapters--West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and Clearwater, which
also did (Festival of Tables), and Orlando did Tables Extraordinaire. Also in District #2 donations to Alzheimer’s Walks from Tampa, Clearwater, and Orlando.
BINGO PARTY—Thanks to New Port Richey FL
Have a theme. Charge $25.00 at the door. Players get 3 cards at the door and can purchase more cards or
change cards throughout the evening for $2.00 each. Play 10 games. All games should have a nice gift as a
prize. (Gifts are donated) Save most valuable gift for game #9. Game #10 winner will receive $50.00 cash.
(Depending on state laws—if no cash should be exchanged then the gift for game #9 could be gift for game
#10). Game #10 black out game. Open up to the community.
Districts #2, #12, and #20 chapters had so many fundraisers; not enough space!
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Headquarters Items and Convention Information
Dear Chapter Officers,
Xristos Anesti! Please send in your 2015 membership dues as soon as possible and make sure
project obligations have been sent to Headquarters as March 31, 2015 was the deadline.
Members and Chapters must be in good standing and paid through 2015 in order to attend District and
National Conventions.
Please also note the following regarding Life Membership:
LIFE MEMBERSHIP: A Daughter of Penelope who has completed fifty years of continuous membership in
the Order shall be entitled to Life Membership and shall be declared a Life Member. According to the
Daughters of Penelope Constitution & By-Laws Article V, Section 11, per capita payment for members with
50+ continuous years as of the January 1, 1999 date shall be waived. Please be aware that members attaining life membership status after this date and thereafter shall be required to pay full chapter dues including per capita. Those life members who qualify for the per capita waiver have the word “WAIVED” in
the paid through column on the Chapter Roster.
Please frequently visit our website at www.daughtersofpenelope.org. The website is a great resource and
tool for all including officers, members and potential new members.
In addition to Penelope's Emporium, the Daughters of Penelope also have an online store where you can
purchase fun DOP merchandise including DOP shirts, kid's clothing, hats, bags, home & office items,
mugs, stationary, stickers and more! Visit our store by going to www.cafepress.com/DOPHQ.
We also have NEW items available through Penelope's Emporium including our Anniversary Pin
and Anniversary Bracelet available for $25 each! (Photos on next page)
Please help support Penelope’s Emporium and our Anniversary by purchasing these anniversary
items! Click here to view our order form.
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The Supreme Conventon is Almost Here!
If you are on Facebook and Twitter and attending the Convention, please like our
Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Post your pictures & comments using
#DOP85 so we can all enjoy pictures from our 85th Anniversary Celebration!
Please click here to view our Supreme Convention Forms including a tentative agenda for the Supreme Convention in San
Francisco, California, July 1-5, 2015. Please remember our agenda is a work in progress so be sure to check regularly for an
updated schedule.
Below are a list of other related Supreme Convention Forms:
Supreme Convention Grievance Form (due to Headquarters by June 15)
Supreme Convention Legislation Forms (due to Headquarters by June 15)
Supreme Convention Project Submission Form (due to Headquarters by June 15)
The 2015 Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc. Symposium will be Thursday, July 2nd, from 2:30-4:30pm, at the Supreme Convention in San Francisco, California so be sure to save the date. Honoree to be announced soon!
Our Founding Chapter, EOS Chapter No. 1, will be hosting a customized tour before the Supreme Convention on Tuesday, June 30th. Please click here to view the flyer which includes details of the tour and how to sign up. The tour will
feature highlights of not only San Francisco but also a tour of the De Young Musuem where the Statue of Penelope is!
Please reserve as soon as possible as space is limited. District 21 is also hosting two events on Thursday, July 2. Click
here to view the flyer and how to sign up.
Chapters, Districts & Members: The Daughters of Penelope is pleased to announce to its members, friends and supporters the establishment of a Daughters of Penelope Supreme Convention Ad Book. This year’s Ad book will be extra special as it marks our 85th Anniversary. Our hope is that every chapter, district and even individual members will place
an ad in this anniversary edition. Please click here to complete and support the DOP Supreme Convention Ad Book to
be distributed to all registered DOP delegates, alternates and guests. Submission of Advertisements by the Daughters of
Penelope Chapters is important so as to demonstrate our collective support of the Convention. It affords an opportunity
to every Daughters of Penelope Chapter to publicize their projects and showcase their members. Your support of this
effort is greatly appreciated (due to Headquarters by May 15th).
The Supreme Convention Hotel is the Hyatt Regency San Francisco, located at 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco,
CA 94111.
Please call the hotel as soon as possible at 1-888-591-1234 to make your reservations. You can also book online by clicking
here (click on "Attendee" when you enter the site). The deadline is June 8, 2015. The AHEPA Family rate is $179 plus taxes.
Make your hotel reservation today!
Airport to Hotel Shuttle Option:
Lorries Shuttle: Operates 4:00 AM-11:00 PM, 7 days a week. Door to door service between SFO Airport and Hyatt. Price is $16
one way per person if you book online or if you call from the airport it is $17 one way per person. For information, call 415334-9000. The shuttle is a white mini-bus with green lettering that says "Lorrie's Shuttles".
Whether you are a delegate, alternate or guest, please click here to register via the mailable or fillable online form for your Supreme Convention package.
Chapter Presidents & Secretaries: Click here to download and complete your chapter's delegate/alternate reporting form
due June 1 to Headquarters.
For any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact HQ via email at [email protected].
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85th Daughters of Penelope Supreme Convention
Celebrating 85 Years!
July 1 – July 4, 2015
San Francisco, CA
ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM
Please Support the 2015 DOP Supreme Convention by placing a Member/Chapter/District advertisement
in the DOP Yearbook to be distributed to all registered DOP Delegates, Alternates and Guests.
This year marks our 85th Anniversary so it is a special year for the Daughters of Penelope!
YES, my Chapter or District would like to place a:
Full Page Color OR B&W Ad: $125
YES, I would like to place a:
Full Page Color OR B&W Ad: $125
Contact/Billing Information
Name/Chapter/District ______________________________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________________
State __________________ Zip ______________
Phone___________________ Email_________________________________________________________
Method o f Payment
Check Payable to: Daughters of Penelope
Or MC/VISA/Amex
Credit Card # ___________________________________
Expiration Date _____ /______ CVV: ____________ Signature: _________________
r
Ad Deadline: May 15, 2015
Please Check One:
Mail Form & Check to: DOP Headquarters
1909 Q St., NW, #500
Washington, DC 20009
Email:
[email protected]
_____ Advertisement is attached
_____ Enclosed is my payment; I will e -mail the ad
Total enclosed: $ ___________
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Congress Commemorates 85th Anniversary
Members of Congress took time during the lame-duck session to commemorate the 85th Anniversary of
the Daughters of Penelope, which was observed November 16, 2014.
In November, seven U.S. representatives entered statements into the Congressional Record. U.S. Reps.
Gus Bilirakis and Carolyn Maloney, co-chairs, Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, submitted statements for the Congressional Record and encouraged their colleagues in the Caucus to do the same by
circulating a letter to Caucus members. U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, John Sarbanes, Dina Titus, Niki Tsongas
and Chris Van Hollen followed suit by submitting statements for the Congressional Record.
In the letter encouraging their colleagues to submit statements, Reps. Bilirakis and Maloney wrote: “Over
its history, the Daughters of Penelope has achieved remarkable accomplishments. It has strengthened the
status of women in society, sheltered the elderly and victims of domestic violence, educated our youth,
promoted Hellenic heritage, and raised funds for medical research. Additionally, Daughters of Penelope
members exemplify the American Dream. With their strong work ethic, Greek-Americans have risen to become leaders in their respective professions, from government to business to the arts. The Daughters of
Penelope has been a vehicle through which this advancement has occurred in our society.”
“We sincerely thank the members of Congress who commemorated this milestone in our organization’s
history,” Daughters of Penelope Grand President Anna-Helene Grossomanides said. “Their recognition of
our accomplishments and contributions to society is deeply appreciated by our members and means a lot.”
Please click here to read all seven Congressional Record entries.
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DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE PROJECT RECOGNIZE 2014-2015
NAME
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
YEARS
CITY/STATE CHAPTER
Avgitides, Alexandra
U.S. Air Force
Bairaktaris, Dimitra
US Army Signal Corps
Captain
05/1996-12/2005 Piscataway, NJ
Tethys #229
Bessinas
Theodora
US Air Force
TSgt
1974-2001
Icaria #175
*Bullock Monique
Air National Guard
Sr.Airman
07/2011-present Albuquerque ,NM
Christodoulou,Athena
US Navy
Commander
19830-02005
*Danos, Katherine
US Airforce
Captain (Pharmacist)
05/2010- 05/2013 San Antonio, TX
*Darby, Loretta RN
US Army Nurse Corps
Colonel (retired)
Piscataway, NJ
*Sister of PDG Joanne Haros
Frankenstein, Nicoletta
US Navy Reserve
Ensign/Medical Student 2011 - Present
Franza, Kay
*Fugarino, Kassiani
WWII
US Army National Gurard
PVT2
Tacoma, WA
Cassandra#372
Cincinnati, Ohio
Calypso #13
Minneapolis, MN
Gostovich, Stavroulla
Woman's Army Corps
*Hatchett, Kanella
US Marines
Captain
05/2001-present Albuquerque, NM
*Kakavoulis-Perera Franceen
US Air Force
Colonel
1984-Present
*Franceen Kakavoulis-Perera
Koutroupas, Vickia
MOA Lita #73
Chloris#40
Portland ,OR
PP Grandview Wash. Am Legion Aux.
01/1986-01/2002
Matrakas, Katherine RN
US Public Health Service
USArmy Nurse Corps
Mylonas, Christina
US Marine Corps
Nicholas, Bessie
Women's Army Air Corps
Staff Sgt
*Nicholas, Trisha Nichol
US Marines
SGT
Captain
1980-2010
Washington, DC
Hermione#11
1978-1981
Memphis, TN
Alpheus#180
St. John GOC
Nicholas, Goldie
Women's Army Air Corps
Corporal
unkown
Youngstown,OH
US Marines
2nd LT.
1974
Memphis, TN
Alpheus#180
Poulakidis, Christine
US Navy
PO 1st Class WWII
Reno, NV
Elis #89
Reimann, Jennie
Women's Air Force Service Pilots
Pilot
1941-1944
Portland, Oregon
Troy#32-1935
Serdenis, Marsha RN
US Army Nurse Corps
Captain
1965-1967
Louisville, KY
Saturn#281
Medic-E-5
1990-12/2003
Lancaster, PA
Ionian#196
Lt Colonel
06/1990-10/2011 Spokane, WA
Parnassus #115
SKC Chief Petty Officer
1983-2005
Sacramento,CA
Artemis#5
1944 - 1946
Lancaster, PA
Ionian#196
Tempe, AZ
Aegena #340
Stein, Monique Zoey Morgan US Army National Guard
US Army
Stenfors, Vickie Mitalas
US Navy Reserve
Memphis, TN
Lancaster, PA
09/1943-12/1945 Youngstown,OH
Nichols, Linda
Simpson, Vasa Stathopulos
US Navy Reserve
Airman 1st Class
*Stathopoulos, Stefanie
US Army
PFC
*Niece of Carol Stathopoulos
Stewart, Mary Rassi
Peace Corps
Swords, Dela Veschi
US Army
E-5 Sgt
1998-2002
Lancaster, PA
Tobias,Angela
US Air Force
Lt. Colonel
1971 - 1994
Memphis, TN
Tsoronis,Frieda
Women's Army Air Corps
St. John GOC
Memphis, TN
St. Demetrios Seattle,WA
St. Croix
Alpheus#180
Memphis, TN
*Hellenic Legion Auxillary
Vamavakias, Carol RN
US Army Nurse Corps
Captain
01/1961-03/1967
VanAsdlan, Barbara RN
US Army Nurse Corps
Major
06/1989-07/2003 Salt Lake City, UT
Wallingford, Irene
US Coast Gurard
Petty Officer 1st Class
03/1973-08/1999 Salt Lake City, UT
White, Dorothea RN
US Army Nurse Corps
Major
US Naval Reserve Med. Serv. Corps Lieutenant
Zachary, Donna RN
Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas GOC
*Hellenic Legion Auxillary
San Diego, CA
US Airfoce
Morrison, Kathryn RN
Stern,Cheryl
St. George GOC
1999-2000 Zoe Cavalaris Honoree
Boca Ratan, FL
Canton, OH
WWII
Tethys #229
Albuquerque ,NM Helen of Troy #19
04-2013-present Canton, OH
*Mother Katherine Glaros
CHURCH/OTHER
Helle #283
08/1990- 12/2005 Fresno, CA
1990 - 1998
Prophet Elias GOC
St. George GOC
1980-2010
*Hellenic Legion Auxillary
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News from our Districts!
(In District Order)
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Mother Lodge District #1
On Feb. 21st Penelope House held its 7th annual Mobile Chocolate Festival. The Thais
Chapter 344 of DOP again sponsored the Chocolate Martini Booth, always a favorite of
the festival attendees. DOP and AHEPA members worked hard at the booth and in
addition to the free chocolate martini tasting, sold chocolate baklava.
We were honored to have a wonderful delegation for the DOP Grand Lodge including
GP Anna Helene Grossomanides, who was a judge for “Project YumWay” (fashions
made from chocolate candy wrappers), Grand Treasurer Eva Jean Fomalont and
Kathryn Tripodis, National Penelope House Liaison, who also served as a “Chocolate
Challenge Judge”. District 1 Daughters of Penelope Governor Carol Kartanos attended
for the fourth straight year with her husband, AHEPA Past District 1 Governor Dan
Kartanos, who again was a “Chocolate Challenge Judge”. They joined
Penelope
House Executive Director Tonie Ann Coumanis Torrans, DOP D1 LG Kathryn
Coumanis, DOP District Lodge Treasurer Kim Collum, local Mobile DOP Chapter #344
president Katina Critopoulos and chapter members in a celebratory dinner at the
conclusion of the Mobile Chocolate Festival, hosted by AHEPA Housing Board member
Nick Stratas. A very successful annual event and a good time was had by all.
Left: Back Row left to right: Anna
Helene Grossomanides, Eve Jean
Fomalont, Carol Kartanos, Katina
Critopoulos; Front : Kathryn
Coumanis
Below: Enjoying working the
Chocolate Martini Tasting Booth!
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Capital District #3
Christos Anesti from our District 3 Lodge and Sisters!
We were honored to host a Meet & Greet with the DOP Grand Lodge/MOA GP/GVP on
January 30th at the Mykonos Restaurant in Rockville, MD, along with our District 3
Sisters. Muses Ch. 22 MOA President Maria Dagalakis attended & shared their
activities. MOA Archilleon Ch. 199 President Maggie Griffin sent a lovely letter that was
read. (See photo below)
We thank our hosts DOP Venus Ch. 102/AHEPA Marathon Ch. 2 for their gracious
hospitality at our Mid-Year Conference in Matthews, N.C. Our GG Julia Collins and
AHEPA SP Phillip Frangos attended. A District Raffle was held with many prizes. (See
photo below)
Our District chapters hosted many philanthropic events as evidenced by our District
Calendar of Events. Some lodge visitations included Harmonia Ch. 366, Kirki Ch. 313, &
Hermione Ch. 11.
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We look forward to the AHEPA Capitol Hill Day & Congressional Banquet on April 29,
as well as, our first joint District Convention with District 4 (PA) on May 15-17 in
Timonium, MD.
Thanks for being an “inspiration” to us all!
Love in Theta Pi,
Kathy Lambros Matrakas, DG
Buckeye District #11
Kathy Lawrence, Governor, and Joyce Anagnos, Secretary
The Buckeye District #11 Lodge DG Kathy Lawrence, DLG Charrie Regopoulos, DS
Joyce Anagnos, DT Irene Zigoris, DM Toni Moraites, MOA Advisor Maria Paxos, and
District Advisor Vera Manolakas remain busy in 2015 with District Lodge meetings,
Chapter visitations and AHEPA Buckeye Scholarship Foundation meetings. We held a
very successful District Spring Designer Purse Bingo Fundraiser Luncheon on March
14th in Dayton, OH supporting District #11’s Projects: Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
and the Lerner Institute Breast Cancer Vaccine. Thank you for everyone’s support of
this educational, fun, and delicious event. On April 25th the Governor’s Ball honoring all
AHEPA Family Governors was held in Canton, OH, and DG Kathy’s Chapter, Dodona
#24 of Toledo, OH, presented her with a gift in honor of her achievement. The year’s
activities will culminate with preparations for and participation in the Buckeye District
Convention, to be held June 19th-20th in Canton, OH. All are welcome to attend and
support District #11 events. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Photo Left: Buckeye District #11
Lodge Fundraiser Featuring Bra
Pong in Dayton, OH March 14,
2015.
Photo Right: Buckeye District #11
Lodge
Fundraiser
Featuring
Designer Purse Bingo in Dayton, OH
March 14, 2015.
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Blue Ribbon District #13
District #13, the Blue Ribbon District of Illinois and Wisconsin held our Mid-Year
Conference and Luncheon on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the Four Points Sheraton
Hotel in Schiller Park, IL. New and old, near and far, it was wonderful to have
representation from all of our Chapters. We were honored to have our Grand Liaison
Aspa Kostopoulos, Grand Governor Zone II and Anne Marie Cariotis, Grand Governor
Zone III in attendance. Required paperwork expected of Chapter Officers was reviewed
and all the Chapters orally presented their Chapter reports. Our grand lodge officers,
Aspa Kostopoulos and Anne Marie Cariotis, addressed us with encouraging words and
news on the national level. After our meeting we had the Mid-Year Luncheon, which
was well attended, and featured guest speaker Dr. Elaine Thomopoulos who gave an
entertaining talk on “The Greektown Matchmaker”.
District #13 Mid-Year Conference
Pictured:
PGP
Georgia
Psichogios, GG Zone II Aspa
Kostopoulos, DG Angela Philipps,
GG Zone III Anne Marie Cariotis
and PGP Catherine C. Ferguson
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Rocky Mountain District #17
It has been a great pleasure and experience for me as a first-time governor to see up
close the wonderful work that our chapters are doing in District 17. Their philanthropic
projects, civic responsibility, and commitment to education through the awarding of
scholarships, is truly remarkable in working to promote the objects of our order.
We are a small district in membership but have grown into a large district in geographic
area with the addition of Ogden, Salt Lake City, Pocatello and Boise Idaho recently
becoming a part of District 17.
Our District Convention will be held in Ogden UT June 12-13, 2015. We look forward to
the opportunity of getting better acquainted with our “new” Sisters on the west side of
the mountains.
Yours in Theta Pi,
Demi Cross, District Governor 17
Photo Below: Visitation and workshop in Ogden, UT with chapter officers, Grand
Secretary, Jan Spanos, and PGP Joanne Saltas.
Photo
Below:
Past
Presidents
Luncheon
Denver, CO with officers of
Athena 10.
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News from our Chapters!
(In Chapter Order)
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Olympus Chapter #6 - Cheyenne, WY
Pictured left to right: Demi Cross, DOP District #17, Julie Lehman, Secretary, Helen Dudash,
Treasurer, Susie Havner, Vice-President, and Adrianne Johansen, President.
Olympus Chapter #6 in Cheyenne, WY recently held our installation of officers. We were
honored to have Demi Cross, who is serving this year as DOP District #17 Governor, conduct
the installation.
Chapter members completed a very successful fund raiser this fall from which the funds
support local organizations. We have made significant strides this year. We donate annually
to our local holiday empty stocking fund which supplies holiday meals to needy families. Our
chapter provides personal items to the Safehouse Shelter for victims of domestic violence. We
purchased a DOP Memorial Brick that will be laid as part of the Labyrinth at our local Botanic
Gardens. Our chapter supports CLIMB Wyoming, which is a non-profit organization which
trains and places low-income single mothers in careers that successfully support their families.
We have also established a Daughter’s of Penelope scholarship which will support the
education endeavors of a young woman attending Laramie County Community College.
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Olympus Chapter #6, Cheyenne, WY
members left to right, front row: Julie
Lehman, Demi Cross, Adrianne Johansen;
row 2:
Helen Costopoulos, Kathy
Joannides, Fay Zaharas, Nancy Tsandes,
Irene Johnigan; row 3: Marianne Bouris,
Estelle Haefele, Susie Havner, Angie
Andrikopoulos; row 4: Tina Marquardt,
Betty Morgando, Darlene Krin, Christine
Krin, Suzanne Mores.
Hermione Chapter 11 – Washington, DC
The new year started with
a special event for
Hermione and District 3
Sisters! On January 30th
we enjoyed a dinner gettogether and inspiring
discussions
with
the
Grand Lodge and the
MOA Grand President
and VP (photos below). It
was a great honor to
accept, on behalf of
Hermione, the award for the first Growth & Expansion challenge by Grand VP Connie Pilallis.
Hermione strives to execute meaningful projects that promote Hellenism, Education,
Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family/Individual Excellence. In our monthly newsletter
we featured articles on Greek Heritage, including OXI Day, March 25th 1821, Apokries,
Christmas in Greece, and others. We also visited the El Greco exhibit at the National Gallery of
Art in Washington DC and invited Father Dimitri of St. Sophia for a lecture on the Archdiocese
Ionian Village program. Our philanthropic activities included support of the DOP and Grand
President’s projects, school supplies and knitted hats for the National Center for Children and
Families, St. Jude’s, Children’s Hospital, NIH Kollecas House at St. George in Bethesda, MD,
and the NIH Center for AIDS Research. Hermione is a participating member of the Greater
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Washington DC AHEPA/DOP Scholarship Committee for high school seniors and donated
$1,140 for a Hermione award.
We participated in the District 3 conference in NC in February and plan to attend the District 3
& 4 Convention in MD in May. Our end of the year luncheon is on June 13th; hope you join us!
Love in Theta Pi,
Elisavet Vrahopoulou, Hermione President
Helen of Troy Chapter #19-Albuquerque, NM
On March 28, 2015, the Daughters from our Chapter were able to make a special visit to the
AHEPA Housing Phases I II and III, for low income Seniors. This gave us the opportunity to
spend time with the residents, resulting in a delightful day, especially for those Seniors who do
not get many visitors. We provided drinks, food and Greek desserts. Each apartment received
a gift bag, 150 total bags, we also raffled off 8 bags full of fun goodies. Such a good time was
had by all, full of fun and laughs, "Making new friends along the way".
Our local Chapter once again provided a beautiful Pascha card to St. George Greek Orthodox
Church Community. This Easter card supports our Sunday School, proceeds donated to
Sunday School. Sister Judy Allen, with four of our local talented Sunday School Students
provided the artwork. What a beautiful finished Pascha Card.
Our Annual Heart fundraiser was held again this year with much success, we provided a coffee
to our St. George Greek Orthodox members. We were able to donate $400 to the Heart
Association.
This year we are proud to have four graduating Maids of Athena Seniors, Jordan Kaye, Niki
Hultquist, Anna Strach and Georgiana Stucker, whose mothers are all members of our Chapter
#19.
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Photo Left: Group picture at AHEPA Phase II, present are Daughters and Maids of Athena.
Photo Right: Chapter #19 President Daphne Tritle, (middle) Lukia Delos and Tina Bullock.
Alcmene Chapter No. 27 – Baltimore, MD
On March 4, 2015 Alcmene Chapter No. 27 of Baltimore, MD, celebrated their 80th
anniversary. Throughout these many years we have held many philanthropic endeavors. We
have sponsored 2 orphans in Greece, monetary and clothing. We have held fashion shows
and dinners for infant survival. We baked kouloures for Easter and sold them to our church
members on Palm Sunday. Proceeds were given to our various charities.
We sponsor 3 scholarships annually. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, donations are taken for
2 needy families within our church community. The Sisters of Alcamene Chapter have
marched in the Greek Independence Day Parade since its inception. On May 15 and 16, 2015,
we will be hosting our third District Convention together with our Brother Ahepans, Worthington
Chapter # 30.
We are very proud that our Chapter has been able to sustain its membership and be a viable
part of this great organization.
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Chloris Chapter 40-Canton, Ohio
President, Linda Natale recognized
Sisters Niki Kalantzis and Sister
Sophia Effantis as each celebrated
milestones of active membership
to DOP at this year’s Valentine’s
Day Dinner hosted by AHEPA
Chapter #59 in honor of the sisters
of Chloris #40.
On Saturday, April 18, Chloris #40 hosted its 47th annual Debutante Ball. This year’s ball
included nine lovely young ladies. Debutantes are from area high schools and must be of
Greek decent. Following the presentation, the Debutantes danced with their escorts, their
presenters, and finally together, a traditional Sirto. Everyone then joined in the celebration for
remainder of the evening, dancing and enjoying delectable desserts from the hospitality room.
Proceeds from the ball benefit the DOP Scholarship Fund. Two $1000 scholarships are
awarded to selected Debutantes who meet the qualifications of academic merit, service, and/or
need each year.
Sister Sophia Effantis (left) celebrates 70 years!
Sister Niki Kalantzis (left) celebrates 25 years!
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Hermes Chapter 41-Bridgeport, CT
Submitted by Kathy Yiannoulis, Chapter President
Chapter 41 began a busy 2015 sharing a Vasilopita with our brother Ahepans and initiating
new members. Our chapter continued with our Acts of Kindness with donations of hats, gloves
and scarves to local shelters and schools. We conducted drives for pet food for an animal
shelter and toiletries for a women’s shelter. Our annual luncheon, called Penelope’s Café, was
a wonderful and fun event, featuring our signature frappe and our popular koulouraki contest.
We continue to participate in the Trumbull Gardens Community Initiative where we are part of
a group promoting healthy eating at local housing projects. Our Easter Food Basket drive had
help from our Maids!
The annual Spring Raffle was a success. We are looking forward to our annual Mother’s Day
Flower, Bake and Gift Sale. As we finish the year, we will be running the Greek Deli at our
church festival and giving out scholarships. Looking forward to our annual luncheon and
initiating more new members! During the summer months we will be working on starting our
knitting club and also bringing a mammogram truck offering low cost testing to the community.
Follow us on Facebook! Daughters of Penelope Bridgeport "Hermes" Chapter 41, District 7!
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Ilios Chapter 51 - Manchester, NH
Our Chapter Keeps Growing!
We were honored to initiate four new members at our February meeting (See photos below).
This brings our total new membership for the year to eleven Sisters! We expect to have more
worthy candidates added before we break for the summer.
Ilios #51 will have good representation at our upcoming New England Regional Convention in
Newport, RI in late May and the Supreme Convention in San Francisco, CA in July!
Left: Chapter President Nicole Wu,
Katherine Koutroubas, Rallitsa Kostakis,
Kelly Urban, Michelle Kapos, Soula
Katsiantonis, Susie Georgiadis and District
Governor Toula Barber
Right: Our newest Sisters! Rallitsa, Kelly,
Michelle and Soula
In Theta Pi,
Nicole Wu
Chapter President
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Leda Chapter #59-West Palm Beach, FL
Our year has been filled with many moments that make our chapter proud. The Sisters
have added two children’s charities to our list of philanthropies. We are thrilled to be able to
celebrate the work that Little Smiles does in our community and share their ideals of bringing
joy to ill children whose lives suffer because of chronic illness. We are proud to help put a
smile on a child’s face and make their day a little easier. Our second philanthropy reaches out
to young girls (middle to high school) who have need of support and confidence to strengthen
their lives as they move toward womanhood. PACE Center for Girls offers the support needed
by young women who live in homes where abuse dwells also. We believe, with PACE, that
empowering young girls now will have a positive effect on their lives later.
Our 16th Annual Fashion Show ‘I Love Fashion’ was a huge success and celebrated
our strength as role models in our Palm Beach County community. Our Sisters are dedicated
to working together for the good of our Chapter so that we may be the hand that reaches out
and makes a difference to the needy of our area. Kudos to the diligent and strong leaders of
our various committee members who always saw the vision of Sister Alexandra Apostolides as
our goal throughout our year.
Antiklea #68 - Richmond, Virginia
Submitted by Sondra Sealine, Chapter President
Sisters of Antiklea#68 recently inaugurated our new Lenten community outreach project, “The
Red Tent Project for Homeless Women”. An article in the New York Times revealed the
serious difficulties many homeless women experience with respect to their feminine hygiene
needs. This article prompted us to initiate a philanthropic project to collect the items needed
and deliver them to Caritas Richmond for distribution. The Community Engagement
Coordinator of Caritas responded very positively, stating that Caritas rarely receives women’s
sanitary products in donations of toiletries. We greatly appreciate the many goods donated to
this cause and the tremendous support of the congregation. The “Red Tent Project” will seek
donations again in September during the Fast of the Holy Cross.
March 7 was baking day for Antiklea. Sisters gathered to bake Koulouria for our annual Palm
Sunday sale of Koulouria and Tsoureki. They were delicious!
Over the summer we will be cleaning our closets and attics in anticipation of Antiklea’s first
“Flea Market” which is scheduled for Saturday, September 12.
Keep up with Antiklea by following our Facebook page.
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaughtersOfPenelopeAntiklea68
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Photo Above Left: Flyer, “Red Tent Project for Homeless Women” and Photo Above Right:
Baking Koulouria Together
Charai Chapter #79-Salt Lake City, Utah
CHARAI 79 Daughters of Salt Lake City, have chosen to focus on local charities. "Our priority,
at this time, is to contribute to the needs of entities close to home," expressed president Vasi
Katsikathas.
The YWCA Utah has benefited by receiving generous donations of much needed items and
financial contributions from Sisters for the Y's Domestic Abuse Shelter. "This is a perfect
partnership for our chapter, and promotes an important initiative of the DOP," explained PDG
Sophia Mannos.
BASILE the Comedian, sponsored by the SLC AHEPA Family, brought over 350 community
people to be part of his Greek humor. But more importantly, funds were raised to give
scholarships to local community students. A $1000 scholarship is specified to go to Saint
Sophia Greek Orthodox School to a young child. "Our goal is to give scholarships for pre to
grad school," announced Past Grand President Joanne Saltas.
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With the overwhelming success of the chapter's annual TSOUREKI sale on Palm Sunday, the
sisters of SLC will be able to continue giving charitable donations to causes that promote the
AHEPA Family Mission Statement. Grand Secretary, Jan Spanos--liaison to District 17--keeps
close contact with what the chapters are doing. She graciously covered the cost of 20 loaves
that CHARAI donated to the YWCA Utah.
"We are happy with the attention the Daughters of Penelope here can give to address needs in
our area," voiced treasurer Michelle Radivoyevich.
Homer Chapter #98 – Chicago, IL
Homer Chapter #98 in the Blue Ribbon District #13 has many talented members and this year
one of them was the speaker at our Midyear Convention Luncheon. Homer member Elaine
Thomopoulos Ph. D. and published author entertained our Sisters and Brothers with her
biographical story of “The Greek town Matchmaker”. Harriett was a colorful character; she
spent many years helping singles find love and marriage in the Greek community. Sr. Elaine
described her with the kind of wit and humor Harriett would have appreciated.
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Lf to Rt: Thalia Karabis, Pauline Agoranos, Elaine Thomopoulos, Elena Demitropoulos, Emily
Deam Seated Lf to Rt Elaine Pontikis, Betty Tsiolis, PGP Catherine Ferguson.
The Sisters of Homer also held an Artoclasia at the Assumption Church in Chicago and
followed it by hosting the fellowship hour after the service. Another project in the plans is a
Greek Cookbook, watch for details.
38
Lt to Rt: Thalia Karabis, Frances Kapsalis, Kiki Giannos, Becky Karabis, Toni Panos, Elaine
Pontikis.
Venus Chapter 102 – Charlotte, NC
The Charlotte AHEPA Marathon Chapter 2 and Venus Chapter 102 of the Daughters hosted a
mini-workshop on February 7 at the Socrates Academy.. The Daughters’ District Governor
Kathy Matrakis and the Grand Governor Julie Macris Collins attended. This was a wonderful
opportunity for the Venus sisters to interact and network with District sisters.
The 19th annual Queen of Hearts High Tea and Fashion Show was held on February 21 at
Carmel Country Club with over 240 attendees. The Daughters is pleased to announce that it
raised $11,000 for its pledge to the Levine Cancer Institute.
The Daughters has re-printed its Holiday Classics Greek Desserts Cookbook and has it
available at any of its upcoming meetings or by contacting Pat Economides at
[email protected]. Price is $5.00
The Venus Chapter has made a contribution to the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at
Ground Zero. The Daughters is also donating several hams to the Crisis Assistance Ministry
of Charlotte for Easter.
39
PHOTO: Eleni Bingham (left) and Pat Economides (co-presidents of Venus Chapter) and
committee presenting $11,000 check to Dr. Terry Sarantou of the Levine Cancer Center.
Polydama Chapter 111-Dayton, Ohio
There’s no grass growing under our feet – 201415 was a great year.
Every April, we host a Scholarship Tea providing
a sumptuous Sunday buffet to parishioners.
From the donation proceeds, we contribute
$1,000 to the District Scholarship Fund. This
year is the 7th towards our $10,000 commitment.
As part of Dayton Philoptochos’ “American
Heroes” project honoring our military and local
V.A. Center, Daughters participated by hosting a
“Greek Night” for 200 V.A. residents. Some of our guests had never tasted a gyro, baklava or
village salad, but based on requests for “seconds”, it was clear they loved it. A performance by
the Annunciation Ellas Dancers topped off the evening.
(Charlie Krandall, 96-year old V.A. resident, with daughters Diane Briggs, Ruth Ann Zavakos,
sister-in-law Helen Anton, and members of the Greek Tycoons and Ellas Dancers.)
We filled out the year’s activities by making cozy fleece blankets donated to Children’s Medical
Center; hosting a “Young at Heart” luncheon for the parish’s senior citizens, complete with
Bingo and prizes; selling a total of 800 tsoureki loaves for Pascha and Christmas; and having
get-togethers with our Ahepa brothers—everything seemed to revolve around food!
Have a great summer!
40
Semale Chapter #256-Wheeling, West Virginia
Hello Sisters,
The Daughters of Penelope, Semale 256 District 11 met at Mehlman’s Cafeteria in St.
Clairsville, Ohio on Saturday, March 28, 2015.
Kathy Lawrence, District 11 Governor attended the meeting along with Charrie
Regopoulos. The Members and Guests shared a noontime meal and followed with a regular
meeting. Jacqueline Johnston, President of Semale 256 conducted the meeting. Highlights
from the meeting included honoring Sister Jo Ann Voyiatt past Semale 256 President. She
was presented with a President’s pin for her dedication and many years of hard work with the
Chapter. Sister Virginia Thomas was remembered for her service and membership with the
Chapter.
Semale 256 recently celebrated their 60th year as a Chapter, and the book containing minutes
from meetings when the Chapter first started was inspected by the Members and Guests in
attendance. The minutes were quite impressive and very detailed. Many of the members
remembered Sisters from previous decades. It was truly a step back in time for all. Kathy
Lawrence and Charrie Regopoulos remarked that the book very well preserved and was
definitely a keepsake for the Chapter.
41
Each member and guest in attendance was given a Spring favor to take home as a reminder of
the warm days ahead.
Submitted by:
Jacqueline Johnston
Semale 256 President
Dares Chapter #252-Southgate, Michigan
Dares Chapter #252-Southgate, Michigan is looking forward to hosting their Annual Culinary
Event on April 20th.
This year’s theme is “Dining on the Orient Express”, Participants will be treated to
entertainment, a cooking demonstration and dinner all reminiscent of the magnificent long
distance passenger train that traveled between the cities of Europe and the Mid-East. A
professional chef will demonstrate to a sell-out crowd who will then enjoy the feast.
Sister Helen Gikas, along with her committee has chaired the event for three years, each time
presenting a different theme. Committee members include Sisters Elaine Charambopoulos,
Susan Hadjicharalambous, Kathy Manios, Dr. Athina Sikavitsas-Johnson, Helen Boulahanis,
Marika Kontos and Fran Kontos.
Included in Dares’ charitable donations is “The Empowerment Plan”, a Detroit based nonprofit.
Homeless parents are hired as seamstresses to sew coats that also transform into a sleeping
bag and are then distributed back to those in need.
Also, February found the Chapter decorating placemats for Valentine’s Day to be donated to
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Ann Arbor.
Sales of extra virgin Olive Oil and Daughters Of Penelope sterling charm necklaces continue to
fund our many charitable projects. For information please contact [email protected].
Karyatides Chapter #271-Athens, Greece
The Karyatides Chapter #271 of District 25, for 55 years have devoted themselves to
supporting the Penelopean Day Care Center and helping needy families with children. It is a
hard endeavor, since, the building alone, being old, is very costly in maintenance.
Last year, with the support of the DOP, we started a new playground at the Penelopean. Last
December, the Penelopean was honored with the visitation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine
of Serbia, who was really impressed with the work done and gave Xmas presents to all 140
children.
The Penelopean Day Care Center was recently awarded with the "Ekaterini P. Economou"
award for excellent deeds and activities of charity and philanthropy by the ATHENS
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ACADEMY, due to its long and commendable contribution in support of needy families and
children of unemployed parents.
The Karyatides Chapter latest activities include an afternoon Tea with fashion show at the
Hotel Grand Bretagne. All the net proceeds were donated to the Penelopean. Along with our
philanthropy activities, we organize visits to various Museums and art events.
Lately, the Karyatides elected Sister Veronica Tsalta as the Karyatides Chapter
President, who is supported with a very young and fresh Board of Directors.
new
PICTURE 1: LEFT: ACADEMY OF ATHENS AWARD, DECEMBER 2014: Karyatides Past
Chapter President Sister Nina Chiras and the President of the Penelopean Sister Tina
Athanassiadou, presenting the "Ekaterini P. Economou" award. RIGHT: KARYATIDES NEW
BOARD 2015: Sister Veronica Tsalta (center) and her young Board of Directors, with Past
Chapter President Sister Nina Chiras (right).
PICTURE 2 : VISIT OF HRH CROWN PRINCESS KATHRINE OF SERBIA AT THE
PENELOPEAN DAY CARE CENTER : The President of the Penelopean Sister Tina
Athanassiadou and Past Chapter President of the Karyatides Sister Nina Chiras welcome HRH
Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia along with Sister Eleni Tranta, founder member of the
Karyatides and the Penelopean, with Chapter members and staff.
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Helle Chapter 283-Falls Church, VA
Submitted by Karen Polizos, President
Christos Anesti! We hope our Sisters in every chapter enjoyed a wonderful Pascha!
Helle Chapter held a very successful Tastes of the Mediterranean fundraising event in
February with all proceeds benefiting Fisher House Foundation. Fisher House Foundation is
best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at
no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment, but also provides many other programs to
support military families. The picture below was taken when we presented our donation to
them of $7,450 following the event. During Great Lent, Sisters attended Compline Service
together and enjoyed an inspirational experience when our priest spoke with us as a group
following the service and explained many of the Icons and scenes depicted around the inside
of the church. As in past years, our time with him during this prayerful season is something we
always look forward to. In April we prepared and served dinner at the local shelter, which is
another activity we do every year. On April 19th Helle Chapter hosted an exciting community
event – a speaker presentation delivered by Jan King, motivational speaker, humorist, author
and breast cancer survivor who spoke about her own life experiences. Her topic - Bouncing
Back: With Wit, Grace and Style – is also the name of one of her books. Her upbeat
personality and positive approach in facing personal trials was uplifting. In May, we will
present our annual $1,200 Washington Metropolitan Area AHEPA Scholarship Award. And in
June, Helle Chapter presents its annual Hellenism Award to a graduating student of the Saint
Katherine Greek School. We look forward to our Chapter’s 60th Anniversary, which we will
celebrate on November 21st.
On behalf of Helle Chapter, we wish all Sisters the best in the months ahead and hope
everyone has a beautiful and safe summer!
Helle Chapter Sisters Rosalie Georgeadis,
Karen Polizos and Maria Wills present our
$7,450 donation to Fisher House Foundation
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Erato Chapter 295 - Calgary, AB
Greetings one and all,
Happy Easter to all of you and Happy Nameday to all celebrants at this time of year.
Our Chapter had the honour of hosting an evening with Grand President Anna Helene
Grossomanides, Canadian President Christina Andrews and District Governor Diane Polesello.
An enjoyable evening was spent sharing stories and listening to our GP speak passionately
about the Daughters of Penelope. Our Canadian President shared the news from across
Canada and our District Governor updated us on District activities.
This year a raffle is our main fundraiser. Baskets were prepared and over a two month period
sold tickets for these fabulous prizes. The winner will be announced at the District Convention.
The Calgary AHEPA Family will be hosting the District Convention May 22-24, 2015.
Delegates and guests from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta will be attending. An
invitation has been extended to members of District 26 in British Columbia to join us in the
festivities this year. If you are in our area and would like to participate please contact me. We
love visitors and welcome any opportunity to show our western hospitality.
Vasilia Kachmarski, Secretary
[email protected]
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Arion Chapter 298-Silver Spring, MD
Did you hear dear Penelope singing joyously as the Arion Chapter upheld her vision of
sisterhood with the initiation of 12 new members (and with many more sisters reinstating)!!! A
reception followed making it a night of love and sisterhood at its finest!
Later, our joy turned into sadness with the sudden loss of our dear sister F. Cookie Papuchis.
With over sixty years Cookie dedicated herself to the Daughters. She served as DG and rose
to Grand President. Her last act was preparing for our Charity Luncheon.
Our tears turned into action as we dedicated our 41st Charity Fashion Show Luncheon to her
memory. Our newer sisters chaired many of the luncheon positions, with over 200 people
attending a sold-out event. The day was filled with sisterly love, good cheer and glamor as
many of our members’ daughters and granddaughters wowed us as they modeled high
fashions.
It was with great pride that the Arion chapter donated
Support Services - our second year to do so.
$7,000 to the Autism Community
Our attendance almost doubled with our Christmas dinner dance which was held to benefit a
needy family. Music and Greek dancing made the night fun.
We look forward to attracting more sisters to this wonderful and worthwhile organization.
PGP/Arion VP Cookie Papuchis (of Blessed Memory), Lt. Gov. Jane Moore, District 3
Secretary Kathy Matrakas, Arion Pres. Penny Manuel and 12 NEW Sisters!
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Sister Eva Theologos, Fashion Coordinator, with her models at the 41st Annual Charity
Fashion Show.
Annual Christ Dinner Dance
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Kirki Chapter #313, Asheville, NC
Submitted by Vicky Papakonstantinou, Chapter Secretary
The Daughters in Asheville, North Carolina enjoyed a wonderful visit from District Governor,
Kathy Matrakas. We had a very special evening of dinner and fellowship during which we
honored our fifty-year charter members with pins, and discussed our goals and objectives for
fundraisers as we continue our efforts to help support local women who have been victims of
domestic abuse. We also enjoyed a fabulous visit to the renowned and beautiful Biltmore
House, attended church together with Kathy, and partook of a March 25th church luncheon and
celebration thereafter. We thank our District Governor, and commend her for her generous
efforts to support us, both in our fundraising, and in her tremendous efforts to travel and spend
time with us, despite her many responsibilities with all of the very busy chapters. We look
forward to seeing her again in the future!
Left: Dinner Honoring the Daughters: Dinner
celebration to honor 50 year Charter members,
Katina Zoumbos, Helen Papanastasiou, and
Ismini Barlas with Daughters of Penelope pins
during the visit from our District Governor Kathy
Matrakas.
Right: Biltmore House in Asheville, North
Carolina: DG Kathy Matrakas with Margaret
Koutris, Katina Zoumbos, and Linda
Apostolopoulos.
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Aegina Chapter #340 - Chandler, AZ
Greetings from sunny Arizona!
We had perfect weather for our Greek Independence Day Celebration! We joined our brother
AHEPANS for a picnic & barbeque at a local park. Everyone enjoyed playing games and a DJ
provided the music.
Our chapter, Aegina #340 and Tri-City AHEPA #454 will be hosting El Camino District #20’s
Annual Convention this summer. It will be held June 11th-14th, 2015 at Wild Horse Pass Hotel
& Casino in Chandler, Arizona.
We are also planning another fashion show to benefit the Desert Cancer Foundation of
Arizona. We haven’t finalized the date, but it will either be late fall this year or early spring next
year. Our fashion show committee is still working on the theme for the event as well. Past
themes have been Phantom of the Opera and Wizard of Oz, so it will be exciting to see what
they come up with!
Next year, our chapter will be celebrating our 40th anniversary! We have yet to decide how we
will celebrate it – perhaps a dinner/dance.
We are looking forward to attending
Sisterhood in San Diego April 25th!
In Theta Pi, Theresa Fardelos
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Hestia Chapter #416-Fayetteville, NC
Christos Anesti!
Greetings from Hestia chapter 416 in Fayetteville, NC. Our chapter has had a hectic beginning,
since January.
We with our AHEPA brothers hosted a dinner for The AHEPA Supreme President, Phillip
Frangos and his lovely wife, Toula.
In February we assisted Operation in as much with Birthday cakes for the Homeless. Sister
Chrysoula Bantsolas was the one that started our local chapter to help by baking birthday
cakes throughout the year.
We held our second Silent Auction, during Athenian Night, which was again and successful.
Proceeds are designated to: Care Center Family Violence Program, which is an emergency
shelter provided for women and children during abusive situations.
During the Easter season the Hestia chapter had a Lily fundraiser to beautify our church. 40
beautiful lilies adorned the church.
All the sisters of our local chapter are dedicated in continuous efforts to embrace the ideas of
our founder, Penelope.
In Theta Pi
Yiotta Hasapis Hasty, President Hestia 416
Niriides Chapter 423-Komotini, Greece
The 16th Regular Congress of AHEPANS Greece, will be held in Komotini in June with
the presence of the Supreme Administration of the Organization from the USA.Chapter
“Orpheus” and “Niriides Daughters of Penelope” cut their New Year’s cake in a joined
celebration.
The New Year cakes were blessed and cut by Sebasmiotatos Metropolite Maroneias and
Komotini Sirs.s. Panteleimon, who exired the charitable work of the Organisation, and wished
success in their future objectives..
Mr. Stathis Kefalidis the President of chapter “Orpheus”underlined the value of the
brand name “Hellenism” and the values that characterize the Greeks diachronically.
Mrs. Maria Sofianou the President of the Daughters of Penelope Komotini,. pointed out
the importance of the presence of the Organization in Komotini, which is also proven by
the consecutive increase of the members of the “Daughters of Penelope”.
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At his short greeting, mr.Kefalidis reffered to the upcoming annual AHEPANS convention
which will be held in Komotini, with the presence of the Supreme Administration of the
Organization from the USA. He also realized a concise but very comprehensive presentation
of AHEPANS, with regard to their international action, and their presence in Thrace.
Some new members of “Orpheus” and the “Daughters of Penelope” were presented in the
event: Mr.Karakostidis Nikolaos, Kyriazidis Theodoros (executive of company), Manitsas
Theodoros (PC specialist ), Miliogloy Georgios (lawyer), Mpatitsis Virtuous (military), Koukou
Urania (doctor), Mitselou Vicky (lawyer), Anna Mousioni (archaelogist, person in charge of
Institution Papanikolaou).
MeTera Daughters of Penelope Chapter # 425 – Germany
Holy days, holy events and humanity
grieves for the crucifixion of the savior.
Having in mind all those that Jesus
suffered made us think that his coming
into this world and his crucifixion was
to teach us love and respect for our
fellows.
MeTera and its members, being in the
mood for Easter, made an effort to
exhilarate people of weaker social
groups of the local society in Stuttgart
(Frauenhaus Neeffhaus, Kinderheim
St. Joseph, Essus Caritas) by visiting
institutes and sharing Easter cakes
51
(Tsoureki) according to the Greek tradition.
Although our offer was small, we felt very happy and of course happier felt the members
representing MeTera for the joy we gave to those people. The reception and delivery
happened in a kind atmosphere where we received small gifts with gratitude.
We received small gifts with gratitude
from children's home St. Josef in
Stuttgart.
By Essus Caritas Olgastr. 46 in Stuttgart,
Germany
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News from our Projects!
53
We believe education is the primary path toward advancement of women in today’s
society. Under the direction of The Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc., the
Daughters of Penelope have granted hundreds of thousands of dollars in a variety of
scholarships to AHEPA Family-related women.
On behalf of the Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc., a total of 27 scholarships (16
Perpetual Scholarships and 11 Annual Scholarships), totaling $30,000 in grants, will be
administered by the Foundation in 2015.
Downloadable applications are available on the Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc.
website at www.dopfoundationinc.com and the application deadline is May 15, 2015.
Thank you to all of our donors - you are helping young women across the nation to
achieve their dreams through education. May the Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc. be an inspiration to all of our Sisters
by preserving and promoting the ideals and traditions of Hellenism and supporting the
objectives, programs and goals of the Daughters of Penelope. We encourage you to
visit our website at www.dopfoundationinc.com or Like us on Facebook and become
part of our endeavors.
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create
many ripples. ~ Mother Theresa 54
Thank You to our Sponsors!
55
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56
May 2015 VOL. #17 ISSUE #2 Daughters of Penelope THANK YOU! Thank you for your continued support of Penelope’s Scroll. Please be sure to view all
of our publications, forms and applications online at www.daughtersofpenelope.org.
Thank you!
Daughters of Penelope
Supreme Headquarters
1909 Q Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20009
INSPIRE!
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