Daughters of Penelope Applauds House Passage of Domestic Violence Resolution

Penelope House Served 440 Women, 555 Children in 2006

WASHINGTON (September 26, 2007)—The Daughters of Penelope (DOP), a preeminent international women’s organization, applauds yesterday’s passage of H.Res.590, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, announced Grand President Karen Stamatiades.

“We commend the House of Representatives for passing the resolution and we thank its sponsor, Congressman Ted Poe, and its co-sponsors,” said Stamatiades. “Its passage affirms our work over the decades with our National project, Penelope House Family Violence Center. Through this shelter, we seek to educate our members and raise awareness. However, just creating awareness is not enough as we see daily the devastating impact domestic violence has upon the victims and the children who witness it.”

In 1979, under the direction of the local Daughters of Penelope chapter, Penelope House, the first shelter for battered women and their children in Alabama, opened its doors in Mobile. According to Stamatiades, Penelope House is recognized as a model shelter for other such homes. In 2006, Penelope House sheltered 440 women and 555 children; all within a multi-county radius.

“Penelope House joins the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Daughters of Penelope in their attempt to raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States,” said Penelope House Executive Director Kathryn Coumanis. “As one of the very first shelters for victims of domestic violence in the country, we regret that the incidence of domestic violence homicides continues to grow as does the census of our shelter. Only by working together as a nation with a priority to end domestic violence and hold perpetrators accountable will we see any real progress.”

In addition, the resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should raise awareness of domestic violence in the United States and its devastating effects on families and communities. The official vote tally was 395 – 0. It had the bipartisan support of 63 co-sponsors.

For more information about the Daughters of Penelope, please visit www.ahepa.org/dop.

For more information about Penelope House, please visit, www.penelopehouse.org.

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, Philanthropy, Education, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.

Malista!