Philadelphia, PA — At the Museum of the American Revolution, a space closely tied to the country’s founding, members of the Greek-American community gathered on March 15 in an unexpected setting for an intimate conversation. The Daughters of Penelope Tritonia #129 hosted a sold-out afternoon centered on a fireside-style discussion with Consul General of Greece in New York, Iphigenia Kanara.
Held during Women’s History Month, the gathering brought together attendees from across the Greater Philadelphia region, South Jersey, and nearby communities.
At the center of the program was a live discussion that moved between Kanara’s diplomatic career and her personal experiences. Rather than a formal address, the conversation took on a more direct and personal tone, something Kanara reflected on in her remarks after the event.
“I loved it,” Kanara said. “I’m very honored for the invite… it was also a nice opportunity for them to get to know Iphigenia.”
During the conversation, Kanara spoke about the role of family in her life and the demands of public service, describing how personal experience shapes the way she approaches her work. She also addressed the practical side of consular services, noting efforts to expand staff and improve responsiveness for members of the community seeking assistance.
“We’re trying to do our best,” she said. “We got some new personnel, so the team is getting bigger… and we’re trying to provide credible information and guidance to the community.”
The format was intentional. According to Artemis Tsingiropoulos, president of Tritonia #129, organizers had been planning the event for months as part of their Women’s History Month programming.
“We wanted to do something different,” she said. “A way for people to get to know her and learn about her amazing career.”
Antoinette Marousis Zachariades, Grand President of the Daughters of Penelope, emphasized the impact of hearing from Kanara in that setting.
“It was absolutely wonderful to hear her dynamic career in service to Greece,” she said. “We are very proud of our Consul General.”
The event drew participants from multiple communities, including New Jersey and Bethlehem, and brought together members of the organization from across the region. Georgia Chletcos, District Governor for Pennsylvania, pointed in particular to the presence of younger women in attendance.
“It was such a wonderful opportunity to really get a one-on-one with our Consul General,” she said. “Events like this inspire younger women.”
Chletcos also described what she sees as increased engagement within local chapters, particularly among newer and younger members.
“We’re empowering one another,” she said. “And that’s the power of this organization.”
The afternoon concluded with an invitation for continued involvement, including the upcoming Daughters of Penelope Supreme Convention, which will be held in Philadelphia this July, as the city prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.