Daughters of Penelope Praise U.S. Senate Bill on Domestic Violence

The Daughters of Penelope is an international organization of women and part of the AHEPA family. The objectives of this organization are to promote social, ethical and intellectual interests of its members; to cultivate good citizenship and patriotism for the countries in which the chapters exist; and to disseminate Hellenic culture within.
The Daughters of Penelope praised the U.S Senate for the approval of bill No.3817, which has been earlier voted by  representatives. According to this bill, allocation of federal funds for programs to prevent intrafamilial violence and assist victims of domestic violence will be extended until 2015.  The organization’s Grand President, Christine Constantine lauded the Senator Christopher Dodd and the Representative Gwen Moore for their dedicated efforts and hard work. Thanks to their valuable contribution and to the non-partisan support, federal programs offering their services to victims of domestic violence and especially to minors will continue, said Constantine. Services include  support to shelters for abused women and children, as well as the provision of temporary shelter and warmth for the victims of domestic violence. Penelope House, the first shelter for battered women and children in Alabama, was founded under the direction of the Daughters of Penelope Chapter in 1978.  It helps victims of domestic violence to gain social and economic independence through housing, counseling, advocacy and referral to community resources and agencies. Penelope House has served as a model for many shelters in the U.S. According to Christine Constantine in 2009, the shelter hosted 422 battered women and 561 minors; all victims of domestic violence. The Bill No. 3817  is on its way to the White House to be signed by President Obama and finally become a U.S. law.