Maids of Athena (MOA)History
The Maids of Athena was founded by Thomas D. Lentgis, Supreme Governor of the Order of AHEPA on July 5, 1930 in Tacoma, Washington. The Dayton Chapter (named Venus Maliea) was established in 1959. With the support of Mrs.Christine Manos 10 young ladies were initiated and her daughter Vicki Manos Weatherly was the 1st President. The current President is Ariana Derksen and there are 20 members.
The Maids of Athena is the junior auxiliary of the Daughters of Penelope. There are over 100 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Greece. Each chapter spreads the Greek culture through philanthropic activities, district and national conventions, scholarships, and several social events. The Maids of Athena is a young adult women’s organization for the ages of 14 to 28. The members become initiated within each chapter and become sisters. Each chapter is a tight-knit group of girls who feel like family and like sisters.
Mission
Maids of Athena’s mission is to promote love and appreciation of Hellenic culture, traditions, and ideals, instill the spirit of patriotism, promote great standards of ethics and fellowship, strengthen in charity work, assist the Order of AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope (DOP) with their goals and missions, and prepare the members to become admitted into the DOP.
Civic Responsibility and Activities
The MOA is committed to the betterment of our community through charitable causes, such as: Cooley's Anemia Foundation, Deborah Heart and Lung Center, St. Basil's Academy, Greek Orthodox Churches, Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the AHEPA Bone Marrow Programs, Cooley's Anemia Foundation, muscular Dystrophy, and the Penelope's House.
Annually, the MOA award three scholarships of $1,000 each to a graduating high school senior, undergraduate college student, and graduate student. These scholarships are awarded to members on the basis of academic merit, financial need, and participation in the MOA.
Specifically, the Dayton Maids of Athena chapter participates in coffee hour after church every month, hosts a baby shower where proceeds are given to The Penelope House, goes shopping for less fortunate children during the holiday season, and several other community service projects.
The Maids also meet to have some fun by going shopping, seeing movies, having sleepovers, going out to dinner, and many other entertainment activities. Several chapters meet with other chapters throughout the year to discuss what each chapter is accomplishing and to meet new people and have fun together. Each chapter of the Maids of Athena makes the chapter their own and decides for themselves how to uphold the ideals in order to achieve their objectives and mission.