The Family
ORder of AHEPA
Founded in 1922 in Atlanta, Georgia, on the principles that undergirded its fight for civil rights and against discrimination, bigotry, and hatred felt at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan, AHEPA is the largest and oldest grassroots association of American citizens of Greek heritage and Philhellenes with more than 400 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
SONS of PERICLES (Jr. ORDER)
The Sons of Pericles is an international brotherhood dedicated to the preservation of Hellenism. The Supreme Lodge is the international governing body of the Sons of Pericles and its primary purpose is to ensure the success and growth of the local chapters. Open to males 14-28, the Sons of Pericles is the Junior Order of AHEPA and has as its counterpart the Maids of Athena, open to women ages 14-28.
CONNECT WITH THE SOP:
DAUGHTERS OF PENELOPE
On November 16th, 1929 Alexandra Apostolides Sonenfeld with the encouragement of her husband Dr. Emanuel Apostolides, a devoted Ahepan, formed the Women’s Auxiliary of the Order of AHEPA. The first 25 charter members were the wives of Ahepa members. Mrs. Apostolides envisioned a new beginning for the first generation Greek-American women. She undertook to write the Constitution and By-Laws of the Daughters of Penelope as we know it today.
CONNECT WITH DOP:
MAIDS OF ATHENA (JR. ORDER)
Mr. Thomas D. Lentgis, the Supreme Governor of the Order of AHEPA, founded the Maids of Athena on July 5, 1930 in Tacoma, Washington. At the time, the first chapter Sparta #1 was founded with 12 original members; however, a charter was not granted until November 18, 1937. Charters were then granted to Alethea #2 in Seattle, Washington, Diana #3 in Portland Oregon, and Ariadne #4 in Vancouver, British Columbia. By the end of 1937, there were 20 chapters and a total membership of 444.