“We honor the Greek woman of the Diaspora for her manifold and continuous contribution to World Hellenism,” SAE President Stefanos Tamvakis stressed, thanking the Prefect of Thessaloniki on behalf of all the board members.

“We honor your timeless efforts to support the expatriate family and preserve the Greek identity, language and tradition,” Tamvakis said addressing the honorees. “The Greek women worldwide are strong and acknowledged,” he said.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Stavros Kalafatis described the Greek expatriate women as the “bearers of the Ecumenical Hellenism’s value system,” pointing out that Thessaloniki is the Metropolis of World Hellenism. He referred to the “Ark of Hellenes Abroad” warmly supported by the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace and to the draft law on the Greek expatriate voting rights. The Greeks abroad should have the right to vote in Greek national elections, he stressed.

The comments made by the honorees while receiving a gold-plated olive tree branch, an eternal symbol of wisdom and peace, were very moving.

Pan-Macedonian Association, Inc., USA President Nina Gatzoulis, who received her award from the minister of Macedonia-Thrace, underlined that being honored in Macedonia has a great symbolic value, adding that the award honors all the women from Macedonia who live in America and the organization that gives a fight since 1947 to defend and promote historical truth. Professor in the Classical Studies Department, University of New Hampshire, Gatzoulis stressed that the FYROM name issue is not closed for the Pan-Macedonian Associations around the world and that they are against the use of the term “Macedonia” in a future FYROM name.

Lucy Grigoriadis from Toronto, Canada, founder of the Greek Orthodox Social Services (for victims of domestic violence, spousal abuse) and chairperson since 1984, referred to the volunteer work offered by the Greek women in Canada. “I have a vision of a society characterized by harmony, solidarity and humanity,” Grigoriadis stressed receiving her award from Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos.

Journalist Katerina Katopodi from Johannesburg, active in human rights issues, dedicated the award she received from Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) North Greece Regional Director Vassilis Rigopoulos, to the Greek women in South Africa, who raised their children to love the homeland.

The need to continue the fight for the equal treatment of women was underlined by Paraskevi Mesimeri-Kianidis Australian-Greek Welfare Society Director, who was honored with the Queen of England Medal of Honor for her social work helping women and immigrants in Australia. She received the award from the president of SAE.

Alexandra Protsenko-Pitsatzi, President of the Federation of Greek Associations in Ukraine, recited a verse from the anthem of the Greeks in Ukraine when she received her award from ERT World Satellite Programme Director Nikos Kourtis. Protsenko has received awards from the Ukrainian State and the Greek Orthodox Church for her efforts to promote the propagation of Greek culture and Greek-Ukrainian cooperation.

Internationally recognized research scientist Dr Katerina Harvati (Germany) and active volunteer in community affairs Sophia Papadopoulou-Tagaropoulou (Panama) were unable to attend due to previous engagements. Their awards were received by SAE Secretary Olga Sarantopoulos and Federation of Greek Communities in Belgium President Evdoxia Panta who referred extensively to the role of the Greek expatriate women.

2000 © Hellenic Communication Service, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.HellenicComServe.com