WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of Penelope (DOP), a leading international service organization comprised of women of Hellenic heritage and Philhellenes, had a successful virtual vasilopita cutting for their 15 chapters in Greece via Zoom on January 8.

The virtual vasilopita cutting was created and hosted by DOP Greece Liaison Maria Sofianou. Members from around the world including the National DOP Grand Lodge, National AHEPA Supreme Lodge, as well as Past National DOP/AHEPA Presidents joined via Zoom with DOP Grand President Celia Kachmarski and AHEPA Supreme President George Horiates.

Greece Liaison Sofianou cut a piece of the custom-made Daughters of Penelope vasilopita for each of the 15 chapters in Greece and said, “this sisterhood encourages us and enables us to be more compassionate and caring.”

The Daughters of Penelope virtual vasilopita was held on January 8. Photo: Elena Saviolakis

She continued, “My pledge to you for the New Year is to unite, fight poverty, violence, abuse, and help make the world a better place for all. We must remember tough times do not last long. Tough people do!”

DOP Lysippi Chapter No. 418 in Kefalonia was the lucky winner of the vasilopita coin.

“During this pandemic our chapters heeded the call to help members, school children, communities, and those most vulnerable. We took care of ourselves, our families, and the Daughters of Penelope. Our commitment to connect with our membership and assist where we can has been a positive one, one we will continue into the New Year. Together we are stronger. Together we thrive,” said Grand President Kachmarski.

AHEPA Supreme President George Horiates added, “I am proud to see our AHEPA Family continue to not only keep our membership engaged but also continue to promote and carry out our mission and goals during this pandemic.”

The Daughters of Penelope virtual vasilopita was held on January 8. Photo: Elena Saviolakis

The DOP announced the launch of a new series of webinars about their national projects throughout January and February. The first webinar will be on Penelope House on Thursday, January 14. Penelope House, a DOP national project, helps victims of intimate partner violence to gain social and economic independence through shelter, counseling, advocacy, and referral to community resources and agencies in Mobile, Washington, Choctaw, and Clarke Counties in Alabama.

The Daughters of Penelope virtual vasilopita was held on January 8. Photo: Elena Saviolakis

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). 

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.