El Camino Real District 20
History of the The District Penelope of the Year Award
The Penelope of the Year Program of the Daughters of Penelope was instituted in 1958. Through this program members at the Convention each year, select a recipient who is recognized as an outstanding Daughter of Penelope, who excels in contributions and service to the Daughters of Penelope throughout her many years of service, as well as having participated significantly in the Greek Community, to civic and charitable organizations, to various civic endeavors, and has served and provided unselfish assistance to the Daughters of Penelope and her community.
An application form for a qualified member is submitted by a chapter to the District Committee or Chairman. At the District Convention of each District, delegates review and select a District Penelope of the Year based on her merits. A pin is presented to recognize this outstanding award in the District.
The following members have been recognized for this distinguished honor 2004 - Present:
2023 Mary Pruitt - Minos #159, Long Beach, California
2022 Linda Kotsakis - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
2019 Theresa Fardelos - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
2018 Sofie Batshoun - Minos #159, Long Beach, California
2017 Stacy Grieb - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
2016 Niki Pallas - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
2015 Carol Stathopoulos - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
- Carol Stathopoulos - 2015 National Penelope of the year
2014 Elaine Perparos Hatupis - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
2013 Mary Kezios - Alkandre #43, Los Angeles, California
2012 No Applications Submitted
2011 Georgia Souris - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
2010 Mary Peters - Anthos #395, Redondo Beach, California
2009 Helen Condon McGillivray - Delos #103, Santa Barbara, California
2008 Michele Radivoyevich - Charai #79, Salt Lake City, Utah
2007 Joanne Saltas - Charai #79, Salt Lake City, Utah
2006 Lois Kotzambasis - Phoebus #146, Tucson, Arizona
2005 Helen Condon McGillivray - Delos #103, Santa Barbara, California
2004 Elaine Perparos - Aegina #340, Chandler, Arizona
1983 Kay Diamantidis - Northridge, California - National Penelope of the year
1982 Lena Simitzi - Aegina #094, Ventura, California - National Penelope of the year