The Daughters of Penelope was the realization of Alexandra Apostollides Sonenfeld’s dream. Her desire was to create a woman’s organization and because of her perseverence and the encouragement of her husband, Dr. Emanuel Apostolides, a devoted AHEPAN, she formed EOS Chapter #1 with 25 charter members on November 16th, 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 the organization which were an inspiration to all women.

The Daughters of Penelope is the women’s affiliate organization of the AHEPA Family with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Today, the Daughters of Penelope is a leader in philanthropic, educational and cultural activities withlocal chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, Australia and Cypress. In 1938 by establishing the first Canadian Chapter in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the Daughters became an international Organization. A few years later, with the realization of the Daughters’ Chapter in Greece, our link to the mother country became stronger.

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The Daughters of Penelope do not only help through monetary contributions, they devote countless hours of volunteer work in hospitals, old people’s homes, women’s and daycare centers, organize educational seminars, help the less fortunate, support their local church and make a huge difference in their community.

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The objectives of AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope is to promote the social ethical and intellectual interest of its members; to encourage Hellenic study; to cultivate citizenship and patriotism for United States of America, Canada, Greece, Cyprus and other countries in which Chapters exist; and to promote and preserve the dissemination of Hellenic culture and ideals as a contribution to the global civilization. The Daughters promote the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood and work closely with the whole AHEPA family.

The Order of the Daughters of Penelope is non-partisan and non denominational.