WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of Penelope (DOP), a leading international service organization comprised of women of Hellenic heritage and Philhellenes, kicked off the New Year by launching a national project series which will include weekly webinars on each of their national projects through February. The third webinar of the series was about Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation (SSF), and live streamed on January 28, with SSF President & CEO Steven Taylor and Senior Vice President of Operations & Philanthropy Benjamin Basloe.

The Foundation's vision is “to create a community where patients, healthcare professionals and researchers come together to conquer the complexities of Sjögren’s.” The Foundation's mission is to support Sjögren’s patients and their loved ones through education, resources and services, provide credible resources and education for healthcare professionals, serve as the voice for all Sjögren’s patients through advocacy and awareness initiatives, and lead, encourage and fund innovative research projects to better understand, diagnose and treat Sjögren’s.

A presentation slide on Sjogren’s facts during the Daughters of Penelope event. Photo: Elena Saviolakis

Guests panelists in addition to Taylor and Basloe included DOP Grand President Celia Kachmarski, Grand Secretary Georgette Boulegeris, Grand Governor Kathy Matrakas, and Executive Director Elena Saviolakis.

“The Sjögren’s Foundation was very excited to recently have the opportunity to present to the Daughters of Penelope. We appreciated the ability to educate the membership about the disease as well as share how their generous support is helping to make a real difference in the fight against Sjögren’s. The Sjögren’s Foundation thanks Grand President Kachmarski, Grand Secretary Boulegeris, Grand Governor Matrakas, and Executive Director Saviolakis for the wonderful invitation to present and is extremely honored to be one of the Daughter of Penelope’s Mandatory Projects,” said Basloe.

A presentation slide on Sjogren’s in children from the Daughters of Penelope online event. Photo: Elena Saviolakis

Grand President Kachmarski added that, “we are not only proud to support and create awareness of this disease which primarily effects women but also proud of the working relationship the Sjogren’s Foundation has with the Greek community.”      

The fourth webinar of the national project series is on Friday, February 5, about the Daughters of Penelope Foundation, Inc., with DOP Foundation, Inc. President & DOP Past Grand President Anna-Helene Grossomanides.

Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope is the first women’s organization of its kind established in the United States. It is an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). 

A presentation slide on Sjogren’s and the Greek community shown during the Daughters of Penelope event. Photo: Elena Saviolakis

The mission of the DOP is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence. 

More information is available online: www.daughtersofpenelope.org.