Olympia, WA (Jul. 17, 2009) – Pat Durham of Olympia recently concluded her year-long term as Grand Madam President of the 1.1 million-member Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) organization. Durham was honored at the Eagles’ International Grand Convention held in Reno, Nev. this past week, celebrating her accomplishments as leader of the ladies’ auxiliary.
“It has been an absolute honor serving as Grand Madam President of such an important organization this past year,” said Past Junior Madam President Pat Durham. “I have met so many wonderful people during my travels and was always treated with such hospitality. I am so grateful to have had such a unique and life-changing experience.”
Durham was installed as Grand Madam President by the Eagles’ membership in July 2008 during the Eagles’ International Grand Convention in Louisville, Ky. During her one-year term, Durham visited hundreds of aeries and auxiliaries in several U.S. states and Canadian provinces, recruiting new members and raising more than $70,000 for her presidential charity, The Hutch School at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
“I selected The Hutch School because it’s unlike any other pediatric cancer school,” Durham said. “Lessons learned at The Hutch School allow pediatric cancer patients to stay with their families and keep up with their school work while battling the disease.”
During her term, Durham also showed her tremendous love for children. Throughout her travels, Durham visited several youth organizations including Home On the Range in North Dakota, and the Hughen Center, of Port Arthur, Texas, which is making immense strides with youth and adults who have physical handicaps. Both sites truly touched Durham’s heart.
“Children are our future,” said Durham. “As the Grand Madam President, I was proud to witness all of the work the Eagles do to make the world better for each and every child.”
Durham joined the Olympia, Wash., auxiliary #21 in 1975 and has held several positions at the local, state and international levels, including Olympia auxiliary conductor and president; Washington State Auxiliary President, Washington State Auxiliary Charity Chairman, Membership Chairman and Zone President; Grand Madam Chaplain and Grand Madam Trustee.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non-profit organization, unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. Founded in 1898, the Eagles fund research in areas such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and cancer, and raise money for neglected and abused children and the aged, as well as work for social and civic change.