The Daughters of Penelope (DOP) and Eurynome Chapter No. 454 of Stuttgart, Germany, co-hosted the Europe and Australia Chapter Leadership Conference at the Nestor Hotel in Ludwigsburg, Germany, February 8, 2025.
The conference featured prominent Greek government and AHEPA family officials.
The conference began with a greeting and prayer. Welcome greetings were given by DOP Grand President Margaret Dritsas, DOP Eurynome Chapter President Dr. Dimitra Potsi of Stuttgart, and DOP Europe and Australia Region Governor Athanasia Vassiliadou.
Professor Dr. Andrea Wechsler, a member of the European Parliament, was warmly welcomed as Grand President Margaret Dritsas had the honor and pleasure of presenting her with the Spirit of Penelope Award.
This prestigious award recognizes women who embody dignity, perseverance, and creativity while inspiring and empowering others.
Consul General of Greece in Stuttgart, Germany, Maria Kechri, welcomed and greeted our conference attendees, followed by a greeting from Professor Dr. Kristina Felicitas Wolff, a representative of the City of Ludwigsburg.
Grand President Margaret Dritsas had the honor and pleasure of presenting Dr. Wolff with the inaugural Daughters of Penelope Human Rights Award in recognition of her scientific research and dedication to raising awareness and combating domestic violence against women.
Conference Presentations and Messages Presentations by Daughters of Penelope National Officers included the “2025 Growth and Expansion Program – Bee the Buzz” by Grand Vice President Antoinette Zachariades, “Team Building” by Grand Treasurer and Patty Didik.
A Guide to Headquarters and The Daughters of Penelope & quot by Executive Director Elena Saviolakis.
Video messages were presented by Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy Ms. Maira Myrogianni and AHEPA Supreme President Savas Tsivicos followed by messages via zoom from from AHEPA President of Canada Emmanuel Constas, DOP Grand Governor Effie Kirkiles, DOP Grand Governor Lainie Damaskos-Christou, and DOP Grand Governor Xanthe Vafopoulou. AHEPA Supreme Region Governor 10 Konstantinos Varsamis gave a greeting to the conference attendees and presented DOP Region Governor of Europe and Australia Athanasia Vassiliadou with a special AHEPA commemorative 100 year anniversary coin, minted in Greece by the National Bank of Greece, for all her work for the Daughters of Penelope.
Daughters of Penelope Chapter Presentations were made by Eurynome Chapter President.
No. 454 of Stuttgart Dr. Dimitra Potsi, Phaetuse Chapter President No. 437 of Paris Niki Kalogera, Thetis Chapter President
No. 439 Eleni Maglara of Brussels, Eleni Chapter
No. 440 of London Eleni Alexandridou, Hellena Chapter President No. 452 Celestina Sescu of Bad Kissengen, Pallas-Athena Chapter President
No. 459 Althea-Maria Papoulias of Vienna, Atalanti Chapter President
No. 461 Angela Jordan of Lyon, and Ariadne Chapter President
No. 435 of Melbourne, Australia. DOP Foundation Inc. President Robbie Jackson and DOP Foundation Inc.
Board Member Margaret Pitiris gave a presentation on the DOP Foundation, Inc and discussed our undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities.
Greetings were also given by our Sisters from Athens who attended the conference as guests including Hesperus Chapter
No. 359 President Anna Goritsa of Athens, Amaryllis Chapter
President
No. 421 Eirini Xakousti of Neo Psyhiko, Athens, and Agnodiki Chapter President
No. 447 Lena Mouka of Vari-Vouliagmeni-Voula.
Organizational Awards Awards were presented to Eurynome Sisters Ioanna Loi, Ioanna Nikou, and Region Governor of Europe and Australia Athanasia Vassiliadou by the Eurynome Chapter for their service and dedication to the DOP.
Grand President Margaret Dritsas presented a certificate to the Eurynome Chapter for hosting a wonderful and productive leadership conference in addition to gifts on behalf of the Daughters of Penelope to Region Governor of Europe and Australia Athanasia Vassiliadou and Eurynome Chapter President Dr. Dimitra Potsi for not only ensuring the conference’s success but also for all their work for the Daughters of Penelope.
Special thanks to the Europe and Australia Chapter Presidents, Officers, and Members in addition to Consul General of Greece in Stuttgart, Germany Maria Kechri, AHEPA Supreme Governor Region 10 Konstantinos Varsamis, and Former Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy AHEPA International Committee Chair Professor John Chrysoulakis, for travelling to Ludwigsburg to join us.
Heartfelt thanks also to Region Governor of Europe and Australia Athanasia Vassiliadou, Eurynome Chapter President Dr. Dimitra Potsi, and the Eurynome Chapter Sisters of Stuttgart for their hard work and dedication to make the weekend and conference a success and for their wonderful hospitality as hosts of the conference.
It was a pleasure and honor to be with the leadership in Europe to discuss our goals and projects and to engage in thought-provoking dialogue about how we can further empower and inspire women to become future leaders via our mission statement, said Grand President Dritsas. ”Congratulations also to our honorees, who have set forth tremendous examples for us to exemplify.”
About the Daughters of Penelope Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope (DOP) 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 (Order of AHEPA).
The mission of the DOP is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.
For more information about the DOP, or any of its programs or projects, please visit www.daughtersofpenelope.org.
