Early Ikarians in North America has experienced near in-humane working conditions as they are working for about sixty to seventy hours a week. These workers share sleeping quarters with several others and taking turns to sleep as no enough bed was provided. These has forced early Ikarians in America to help each other and realized the need for brotherhood.
Icarian Brotherhood
On January 26, 1903, eleven men from Pittsburgh namely: Demetrios Vassilaros, Vasilios Triantafillou, John Pamphilis, Stamatis Kratsas, Emmanuel Pamphilis, Nikolaos Vassilaros, Angelo Tsantes, Anastasios Diniacos, John Lardas, Nicholas Paralemos, and John Mavrikes met for the purpose of forming an organization. The Icarian Brotherhood of America was born and the first chapter in Pennsylvania was acquired on July 17, 1905. The organization's funds were from the dues collected on members per month which are to cover burial expenses, insurance for sick and disabled Ikarians.
The Artemis and Icaros
Ikarian's population in America increased and the brotherhood starts to think to give aid to Icarian people and started to collect funds for different projects. A rivalry and disagreement have developed between the members from northern and southern Icaria as who should benefit from the group's philanthropy. The Northern Icarian members formed the Pan-Ikarian Beneficial Society “Artemis” and was officially chartered in 1910. The Artemis group focused on the construction of a harbor at Evdilos while the Icaros focused in the construction of a school building in Agios Kyrikos Each group held separate activities including the celebration of Ikaria's Independence.For several years, the rivaly exists and efforts were made to unite the two groups. The two rival group finally unites in 1916. The Artemis group was not successful in raising funds, unlike the Icaros who have already raised funds for the school building project. At this time, the Artemis has realized the importance of Icaros' school building project and started to contribute. The Artemis has evolved into a private club while the Icaros continuous to flourished.
Knights and Ladies of Ikaria
In 1922, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association was organized. Vasilios Isidoros Chebithes used his public relations skills and establish AHEPA chapters evolving the organization into the largest Hellenic organization in the United States. The non-provision of establishing a chapter in the by-laws of the Icarian Brotherhood of America, the brotherhood have not formed any chapter outside Allegheny County. Chebithes bypass this and created the Knights and Ladies of Icaria with the Icarians of Akron, Ohio in 1931.
Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America
Finally in 1934, a meeting of KALOI, Icaros and Artemis were held to create a united Icarian organization. With the merging of KALOI chapters and the Icarian Brotherhood, Pan-Icarian Brotherhood of America was established.
Structure
The brotherhood's structure is similar to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association and other American fraternal organizations in which dues are paid by members and the organization was governed by a national governing body as elected. The membership was open to all Ikarians and Fournians as per the brotherhoods constitution.
