Overview
The Metropolitan Region was officially recognized by the National EGA on December 1, 1976. There were 6 original chapters with 1500 members when the Metropolitan Region was formed. There are currently 14 active Chapters but there have been 26 Chapters in the MET.
As of November 2026, there have been 14 Region Directors. Christene Thurston will be the 15th RD. Metropolitan Region members have also served as National Vice President, Secretary and Committee Chairs. More than 20 members have received the Gold Thread Award (previously the Educator’s Award of Excellence begun in 1992). Several members have earned the Master Craftsman title and 1 member has earned the Certified Teacher title.
The Metropolitan Region has hosted 4 National Seminars. There have been 17 Region Seminars, 3 Region Retreats and several Region Exhibits.
Region Directors
The Region Director communicates information from the National EGA to all Chapters within the Metropolitan Region. Communication is through the Metropolitan Region newsletter (Metropoll), emails, and social media. The Region Director also communicates with other Regions to help strengthen EGA, Chapters and Regions. They represent the Metropolitan Region as a Director on the EGA National Board of Directors. The Region Director is responsible for Region activities, such as Seminars and Exhibits. The Region Director will assist with the formation and closing of Chapters and ensure that current Chapter officer lists are maintained and distributed at least annually.
Past Region Directors
- Jane Tate, Long Island Chapter, 1st Acting Regional Representative (1976-1977)
- Sue Clough, Westchester Chapter (1977-1982)
- Jane Gabriels, New York Capital District Chapter (1982-1984)
- Thespina Pungerchar, Garden State Chapter (1984-1988)
- Penny Berman, Pocono Mountain Chapter (1988-1992)
- Bonnie Miller, Pocono Mountain Chapter (1992-1995)
- Jane Gordon, Fairfield Chapter (1995-1998)
- Helena Dittmar, Manhattan Chapter (1998-2003)
- Gloria Lennon, Garden State Chapter (2003-2008)
- Mary Coyle, Mid-Hudson Chapter (2008-2011)
- Maria Hall, Skylands Chapter (2011 – 2014)
- Susan Roe, Skyllkill Chapter (2014 – 2017)
- Marge Kelly, Skylands Chapter (2017 – 2020)
- Maria Hall, Skylands Chapter (2020 – 2026)
- Christene Thurston, New York Capital District Chapter (2026 – present)
Past Region Seminars, Retreats & Exhibits
EGA National Seminar was hosted by the Metropolitan Region:
- 1978. It’s a Wonderful Town. New York, NY. Adela Busch, Manhattan Chapter, Seminar Chair.
- 1987. Autumn Splendor. Parsippany, NJ. Penny Berman, Morris Chapter, Seminar Chair. First seminar sponsored by any Region.
- 2003. Stitchers in the Rye. Rye, NY. Jane Gordon, Fairfield Chapter, Seminar Chair.
- 2022. Broadway Bound New York, NY. Janice Meyers, Monmouth Chapter, Seminar Chair.
Past Region Retreats
- 2023: The MET Getaway. First Region retreat. Montvale, NJ. Janice Meyers, Monmouth Chapter, Chair.
- 2025: Stitching at the MET Gala. Montvale, NJ. Janice Meyers, Monmouth Chapter, Chair.
- 2026: Stitching in Montvale. Montvale, NJ. Janice Meyers, Monmouth Chapter, Chair.
Important Projects
MET Region members have contributed to various historical embroidery projects, including:
- Creating stockings for White House Christmas trees (1995) https://clintonwhitehouse3.archives.gov/WH/Holidays/Tour.html
- Firefighter’s Comforter (2001/02): Stitched by Suffolk, Manhattan & others. Presented to FDNY Academy, Randall’s Island
- San Francisco School of Needlework and Design creation of the world’s longest band sampler. Metropolitan Region members (26) participated in the project and saw the band sampler in progress when they visited San Francisco (2020) https://egausa.org/longest-band-sampler-snad/ https://www.sfneedleworkanddesign.org/the-worlds-longest-band-sampler-project/
- Metropolitan Region worked with NY Historical Society to recreate a sampler (2022) EGA’s Metropolitan Region Reproduces a Historic Sampler from the New-York Historical Society | Embroiderers’ Guild of America
- America’s Tapestry (2026) https://egausa.org/photos-celebrating-the-250th-with-the-grand-opening-of-americas-tapestry/
Region Historian
This Region History webpage was created to share significant events, awards and recognitions of our Metropolitan Region members. This history includes Chapter formation and ending dates, past Region Directors, and information on significant Region events and awards. If you have any information, pictures, or stories about the Metropolitan Region, please contact Kim Gates, Suffolk Chapter (kimlgates@gmail.com).
Let me know if you have any information on these topics:
- MET Chapters (year formed/dissolved)
- Past Region Directors
- Past National Leadership Roles (MET Members)
- Past Region Gold Thread Awards
- Past National Gold Thread Awards (MET Members)
- Past National Awards & Recognitions (MET Members)
- Past Region Events & Seminars (including National Seminar sponsored by MET)
- Past Region Exhibits
- Region Fun Facts
Stay tuned for history updates!