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. 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

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) fraternity was established in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 26, 1922. 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. Its initial mission was to promote the image of Greeks in America, assist them with citizenship and assimilation into American culture, and combat prejudice. At that meeting Chotas was elected its first president. 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. AHEPA expanded to countries in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Cypras, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. 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. 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). 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

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. By 1989, the number climbed to 60,000, despite an overall decline in memberships of fraternal groups during this period. An estimated 500,000 men have been inducted into the Order of AHEPA over its 90-year history.

Governence

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

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. It is elected at the Supreme Convention of the Order of AHEPA, a session including the majority of the organization's members. It consist of the following officers:

Chapters

Local groups of AHEPA are called chapters. The Supreme Lodge can charter a chapter to a group of at least ten men. The chapter's main officer positions are president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, chaplain, warden, and captain of the Guard. 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. There are "sister" chapters in AHEPA Australasia (Australia and New Zealand).

Districts

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

Activities

Politics

AHEPA has taken a stand on the Cyprus issue since 1955 when it formed the "Justice for Cyprus" committee to support Cyprus' independence. 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. 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.

Awards

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.

Socrates Award

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. Past recipients of the Socrates Award include:

Athletic Hall of Fame

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.

Harry Agganis Award

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.

Notable members