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American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA, usually referred to as the Order of AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. AHEPA was founded with a focus on civil rights, particularly to counteract the Ku Klux Klan. It 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, Australia, and Europe.

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
AHEPA
FoundedJuly 26, 1922; 102 years ago (1922-07-26)
Atlanta, Georgia, US
TypeGeneral fraternity
AffiliationIndependent
StatusActive
EmphasisGreek heritage
ScopeInternational
PublicationThe AHEPAN
Chapters400+ active
Members30,000+ [1] active
500,000 lifetime
NicknameOrder of AHEPA
Headquarters1909 Q Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
United States
Websitewww.ahepa.org

The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.

History

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AHEPA headquarters located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) fraternity was established in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 26, 1922.[2] Its eight founders were residents of Atlanta who were of Greek descent, including Harry Angelopoulos, George Campbell, James Campbell, Nicholas D. Chotas, George A. Polos, Spiro J. Stamos, and James Vlass.[2] Its initial mission was to promote the image of Greeks in America, assist them with citizenship and assimilation into American culture, and combat prejudice.[2] At that meeting Chotas was elected its first president.[2]

As Greek Americans assimilated into American society, AHEPA's mission shifted toward e ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.[3][4] AHEPA expanded to countries in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Cypras, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.[5]

The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ancient Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family, and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism.[3]

The AHEPA Family consists of four organizations: the AHEPA (men), Daughters of Penelope (women), Sons of Pericles (young men) and Maids of Athena (young women).[6][7][8] AHEPA publishes The AHEPAN, which is the second largest Greek American publication in circulation. The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association also maintains ties with the similar Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

Membership

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Originally, membership was restricted to only Greeks. At its third meeting, the Order decided to change this, allowing non-Greeks to join. In 1979, AHEPA had over 25,000 members in 400 chapters.[9] By 1989, the number climbed to 60,000, despite an overall decline in memberships of fraternal groups during this period.[4] An estimated 500,000 men have been inducted into the Order of AHEPA over its 90-year history.[10]

Governence

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Originally, AHEPA was organized on a lodge system like that of the Masons or Oddfellows. Local units were called Subordinate Lodges and state or territory structures were called Superior Lodges. Today, it consists of the supreme lodge, districts, and chapters.

Supreme Lodge

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The Supreme Lodge is the main governing body of the AHEPA. The Supreme Lodge is headquartered at 1909 Q St NW in Washington, D.C.[11] It is elected at the Supreme Convention of the Order of AHEPA, a session including the majority of the organization's members.[12] It consist of the following officers:[13][9]

  • Supreme President
  • Supreme Vice President
  • Canadian President
  • Supreme Secretary
  • Supreme Treasurer
  • Supreme Counselor
  • Supreme Athletic Director
  • National Sons of Pericles Advisor
  • Supreme/Regional Governor (9)

Chapters

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Local groups of AHEPA are called chapters. The Supreme Lodge can charter a chapter to a group of at least ten men.[14] The chapter's main officer positions are president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, chaplain, warden, and captain of the Guard.[15] There have been 540 chapters chartered in the United States, 16 chartered in Canada, 30 chartered in Greece, 5 chartered in Cyprus, and 10 chartered in Europe. Over 400 chapters are active in the United States, Canada, and Europe.[3] There are "sister" chapters in AHEPA Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).

Districts

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Chapters are organized into 28 districts.[5] Districts elect officers at annual district conventions, held in May, June, or July.[16] District officers include district governor, lieutenant governor, district secretary, district treasurer, district marshal, district warden, and district athletic director.[17] Current districts include:[5]

Number Name Area served References
1 Mother Dother Lodge Georgia, Alabama, northwest Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee [18]
2 Citrus Florida (except northwest) [19]
3 Capital District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia [20]
4 Power Pennsylvania [21]
5 Garden Delaware, New Jersey [22]
6 Empire New York [23]
7 Yankee Connecticut, Rhode Island [24]
8 Bay State Massachusetts
9 Northern New England Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont [25]
10 Automotive Michigan [26]
11 Buckeye Ohio, Kentucky, part of West Virginia [27]
12 Hoosier Indiana [28]
13 Blue Ribbon Illinois, Wisconsin [29]
14 Grainsfild Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and eastern Missouri
16 Delta Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and western Missouri [30]
17 Silver Colorado, Idaho, Montana, western Nebraska, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Ely, Nevada [31]
20 El Camion Real Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Southern California [32]
21 Golden Gate Northern California and Nevada (except Ely) [33]
22 Firewood Oregon, Washington, and Alaska [34]
23 Beaver Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Islands, and New Brunswick
24 Royal Canadian Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
25 Hellas Greece
26 Canadian British Columbia
27 Cyprus Cyprus
28 European Europe except for Cyprus and Greece
Australia Australia, New Zealand

Activities

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Politics

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AHEPA has taken a stand on the Cyprus issue since 1955 when it formed the "Justice for Cyprus" committee to support Cyprus' independence.[9] Through the decades, the organization has continued to advocate on issues relating to Greece and Cyprus in Washington, while also educating the public about these topics.[4]

For each Congress, AHEPA compiles a Congressional scorecard on issues of importance to the American Hellenic community and the organization. The purpose of the scorecard is to educate AHEPA's membership and the community on how engaged members of Congress are on these issues, or at the least, their level of awareness.

 
AHEPA Center, New York

Awards

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AHEPA recognizes distinguished achievements in various categories such as public service, government, law, business, journalism, science, the arts, military service, and humanitarian. Some of its awards include the Academy of Achievement Award, AHEPAN of the Year, and the Pericles Award.[35][36]

Socrates Award

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The Socrates Award recognizes prominent men and women who have emulated ancient Hellenic ideals. This is the most prestigious award AHEPA awards and has been presented at the AHEPA National Banquet since 1964.[37] Past recipients of the Socrates Award include:[37]

Athletic Hall of Fame

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Each year, at the Supreme Convention, inductions are made into the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame. AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1974 to honor outstanding Hellenic athletes and sports personages.[38]

Member Year inducted Member Year inducted
Harry Agganis 1975 Alex Aronis 2000
Dee Andros 1975 George Bollas Sr. 2000
Peter Clentzos 1975 Alex G. Spanos 2000
Alex Kampouris 1975 Peter G. Stark 2000
Alex Karras 1975 Jimmie Angelopoulos 2002
Jim Londos 1975 John Critzos II 2002
Milt Pappas 1975 Charles George 2002
Pete Pihos 1975 Michael Siganos 2002
Lou Tsioropoulos 1975 Peter Angelos 2003
Gus Zarnas 1975 George Dimit 2003
Alex Grammas 1976 Jim Korfas 2003
Johnny Morris 1976 Tom Palis 2003
George Saimes 1976 Jim Carson 2004
Dr. George Kaftan 1977 Jim Daopoulos 2004
James Kekeris 1977 Nick Pappas 2004
Gus Triandos 1977 Lou Skizas 2004
Mike Castronis 1978 Mike Balitsaris 2005
William Mackrides 1978 Chris Kontos 2005
Gus Zitrides 1978 Manuel Scarmoutsos 2005
Arthur Gregory 1979 Ernie Serfas 2005
Billy Loes 1979 Anthony Loukas 2006
Anton Christoforides 1980 George Makris 2006
Gus Niarhos 1980 Carl Angelos 2007
Nick Kerasiotis 1981 George Pappas 2007
Andy Marefos 1981 Andy Sideris 2007
Chris Pelekoudas 1981 John Galaris 2009
Nick Kladis 1982 Greg Manesiotis 2009
Dr. Monthe Kofos 1982 Vasili (Billy) Pappas 2009
Archie Matsos 1982 Pete Sampras 2009
Nick Rassas 1982 Gus Constantine 2010
George Zaharias 1982 Eric Karros 2010
Ted Karras 1983 Steve Lappas 2010
John Maskas 1983 Stanley Maratos 2010
Nick Matis 1984 Art Anastopoulo 2011
Leah Poulos-Mueller 1984 Adam Archuletta 2011
Chris Farasopoulos 1985 Nick Kypreos 2011
Dr. George Poloynis 1986 Stan Spirou 2011
Nick Rodis 1986 George Theodore 2011
John Mellekas 1986 Dean Lampros 2012
Plato Andros 1987 Steve Leondis 2012
Louis Manesiotis 1987 Nick Pappageorge 2012
John Karras 1988 Tom Pappas 2012
Menil Mavraides 1988 Leonidas Tsantiris 2012
Eugene Rossides 1989 William Atessis 2013
Nickos Spanakos 1989 Nick Galis 2013
Petros Spanakos 1989 Bill Gazonas 2013
Van Nomikos 1990 Greg Louganis 2013
Peter Tountas 1990 Charles Theokas 2013
Alex Athas 1991 Peter Karmanos Jr. 2014
Bob Costas 1991 Joe Panos 2014
Louis Karras 1991 Matt Stover 2014
Archie Kodros 1991 Kirk Vidas 2014
Mike Schooles 1991 Theodore ("Ted") Leonsis 2015
Nick Conteas 1992 Christina Loukas 2015
Bill Korinthias 1992 Bob Barnek 2015
Lee Palles 1992 Paul J. Kaliades 2015
George Theodoratos 1992 Nicolette Gianulias 2016
Joe Collins 1993 Niko Koutouvides 2016
Ted Gregory 1993 John Margaritis 2016
Spiros Siaggas 1993 Steven Schubert 2016
Chris Vagotis 1993 Christos Tsiotos 2016
Al Campanis 1994 May Kotsopoulos 2017
John Diamantakos 1994 Dan Mavraides 2017
Peter Kouchalakis 1994 Nick Tsiotos 2017
John Scolinos 1994 Aleke Joy Tsoubanos 2017
Jimmy Caras 1995 Dr. James Vailas 2017
George Dales 1995 Harry Cicma 2018
James Poulos 1995 Michele Koclanes 2018
David Psaltis 1995 George Papadakos 2018
Augustus Ganakas 1996 Mark Philippoussis 2018
Dr. Tom Katsimpalis 1996 George Ravanis 2018
John Tsitouris 1996 Lt. Colonel Thomas Bellairs 2019
Paul Xanthos 1996 Valorie Kondos Field 2019
Ernest Afaganis 1997 Peter Laskaris 2019
Phil Bouzeos 1997 Adam Rand 2019
John Pachivas Sr. 1997 George Veras 2019
Lou Tsipis 1997 George John 2020
Nick Sacrinty 1998 Stamos Mazarakis 2020
Robert Samaras 1998 Eleni Rossides 2020
Fred Smerlas 1998 Christopher Soukas 2020
Leo Thalassites 1998 Marcos Baghdatis 2021
George Catavolos 1999 Speros Dedes 2021
Art Demmas 1999 Pyrros Dimas 2021
Tom Laris 1999 Emmanuel Pihakis 2021
Diana Nyad 1999 Kurt Rambis 2021
Stella Sampras-Webster 2021 Alex Anthopoulos 2022
Jim Karsatos 2022 Nick Markakis 2022
Tony Pashos 2022 Nick Voris 2022
Samantha Prahalis 2022 George Kokinis 2023
George Kostelis 2023 Alexi Lalas 2023
Nick Mourouzis 2023 Kristofer O'Dowd 2023
Jason Zafiros 2023

Harry Agganis Award

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The Harry Agganis Hellenic Athlete Award is awarded annually to the outstanding Hellene in the field of athletics professional or amateur of college level and above.[39]

Year Award winner Sport Year Award winner Sport
1955 Alex Aronis Football 1990 Pete Sampras Tennis
1956 George Spanes Football 1991 Karen Choppelas Horstmeyer Basketball coach
1957 Alex Karras Football 1992 Steve Lappas NCAA basketball coach
1958 Lou Tsiriopoulos Basketball 1993 Chris Kontos Hockey
1959 Gus Triandos Baseball 1994 Alkis Panagoulis Soccer coach
1960 Milt Pappas Baseball 1995 John Mitsopoulos Weight lifting
1961 Chris Pelekoudas Baseball umpire 1996 Peter Karmanos Jr. Hockey
1962 Alex Grammas Baseball 1997 Spiros Siaggas AHEPA athletics
1963 George Saimes Football 1998 Peter Clentzos Olympic pole vaulter
1964 NONE NONE 1999 James Daopoulos NFL Super Bowl Referee
1965 Chris Pelekoudas Baseball umpire 2000 John Korfas Basketball
1966 Peter Tountas Bowling 2001 Matt Stover Football
1967 Dee Andros Football 2002 None None
1968 None None 2003 None None
1969 Angelo Loukas Football 2004 Tom Pappas Decathlon
1970 George Allen Track 2005 NONE NONE
1971 George Pappas Bowling 2006 NONE NONE
1972 Gus Ganakas Basketball 2007 NONE NONE
1973 Chris Farasopoulos Football 2008 None None
1974 Alex Strike World Judo Champ 2009 Nick Markakis Baseball
1975 Leah Poulos Olympic Speed Skater 2010 George John Soccer
1976 NONE NONE 2011 Dan Mavraides Basketball
1977 John Scolinos Baseball Coach 2012 William Vlachos Rimington Finalist
1978 NONE NONE 2013 Niko Koutouvides Football
1979 Alec Campanis L.A. Dodgers GM 2014 Kostas Koufos Basketball
1980 Lee Palles Decathlon 2015 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball
1981 Fred Smerlas Football 2016 Mike Moustakas Baseball
1982 Art Demmas NFL Referee 2017 Giannis Antetokounmpo Basketball
1983 Greg Louganis Olympic Diving 2018 Dean Karnazes Ultra-Marathoner Runner
1984 Mike Castronis NCAA Football Coach 2019 Cody Bellinger Baseball
1985 Greg Louganis Olympic Diving 2020 Stefanos Tsitsipas Tennis
1986 Peter Dalis UCLA Athletic Director 2021 Ted Karras Football
1987 Greg Tafralis Track 2022 Jordan Kyrou Hockey
1988 Tom Patsalis Track 2023 Maria Sakkari Tennis
1989 Chris Chelios Hockey 2024

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "How to Plan A Successful AHEPA Day Program" (PDF). AHEPA. May 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Leber, George J. (1972). History of the Order of AHEPA 1922 - 1972. Washington, D.C.: Order of AHEPA. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c AHEPA website ahepa.org
  4. ^ a b c Alan Axelrod, International Encyclopedia of Secret Societies and Fraternal Orders, New York: Facts on File, 1997, pp.4-5
  5. ^ a b c "District Governors". The Order of AHEPA. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  6. ^ "Home". Daughters of Penelope. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  7. ^ "About Us". Sons of Pericles. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  8. ^ "About". Maids of Athena. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  9. ^ a b c Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1980. pp. 23 and 25. ISBN 9780313214363
  10. ^ AHEPA membership fact sheet via AHEPA HQ in Washington, DC
  11. ^ "Contact Us". The Order of AHEPA. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  12. ^ AHEPA Constitution 2013; Article 13
  13. ^ "Supreme Lodge". The Order of AHEPA. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  14. ^ AHEPA Constitution 2013; Article 8
  15. ^ AHEPA Constitution 2013; Article 9
  16. ^ AHEPA Constitution 2013; Article 11
  17. ^ AHEPA Constitution 2013; Article 12
  18. ^ "AHEPA District 1". AHEPA District 1. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  19. ^ "Chapter Directory". AHEPA District 2. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  20. ^ "Chapter Directory". AHEPA District 3. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  21. ^ "Chapters". AHEPA District 4. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  22. ^ "Chapters - New Jersey & Delaware". AHEPA District 5. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  23. ^ "Chapters". AHEPA District 6. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  24. ^ "Yankee District 7 Chapters". AHEPA District 7. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  25. ^ "Welcome To AHEPA - District 9". AHEPA District 9. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  26. ^ "Find My Chapter". AHEPA District 10. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  27. ^ "History of the Buckeye | AHEPA Buckeye District #11". Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  28. ^ "Chapters". AHEPA Hoosier District 12. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  29. ^ "Chapters". AHEPA District 13. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  30. ^ "Chapters". AHEPA Region 16. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  31. ^ "Home". AHEPA District 17. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  32. ^ "Home". AHEPA District 20. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  33. ^ "Chapters". AHEPA District 21. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  34. ^ "Firwood District - Home Page". AHEPA District 22. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  35. ^ "Archive". The Order of AHEPA. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  36. ^ "AHEPA Presents Cardin with 2023 Pericles Award – The Order of AHEPA". Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  37. ^ a b Leber, George J. (1972). "AHEPA Socratic / Socrates Award". History of the Order of AHEPA 1922 - 1972. Washington, D.C.: Order of AHEPA. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  38. ^ "Athletics". The Order of AHEPA. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  39. ^ Order of AHEPA 90th Anniversary 1922-2012, 2012 AHEPA Family Album, 90th Supreme Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 22–27, 2012
  40. ^ Conversations with F.D.R. at his AHEPA Initiation: Frigates, Battleships, Espionage and a Sentimental Bond with Greece, by Leonidas V. Georgiou, New York: Knollwood Press, 2019. Available through AbeBooks.com.
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