Greek women from around the world were recognized for their international achievements and actions at the third edition of the International Greek Women’s Awards (GIWA), held last Thursday in Athens.
Inaugurated in 2017, the awards aim to celebrate, empower and recognize leading Greek women whose stories are impacting the world.
This year, four Greek-Australian women are on the shortlist!
- Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Lecturer and Head of Modern Greek Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney in the Education and Psychology category
- Argyro Vourdoumpa, journalist and media consultant, having worked in print, digital and broadcast media in Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia – second female editor-in-chief of the Greek Herald in the Media and Marketing Communications category
- Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou, Founder and Chair of the non-profit Australian Greek Women’s Network, “Food For Thought Network Inc” and the global learning platform “Australian Greek Women and Friends Around the Global World Forum” in the area of social responsibility. category
- Nancy (Athanasia) Katsimberis, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Australian Utilities Company in the Environment and Sustainability category. This year’s awards ceremony was held for the first time in Greece at the Pierce American College Amphitheater in Athens.
GIWA candidates as well as figures from politics, business and the arts applauded the Greek women who participated and those who were recognized for their international achievements in 15 categories.
The ceremony was presented by Deputy Mayor for Social Solidarity and Civil Society, Katerina Gagaki.
During the event, the audience was able to enjoy musical pieces by the famous Nina Lotsari and soprano Katerina Mina.
The winners in the 15 award categories were:
- Arts and culture: Tania Giannouli
- Business and entrepreneurship: Arplia Marina and Stoumbou Mylaidi Polyxeni
- Design: Sakellaridou Rena
- Education and psychology: Hiona Vivian
- Environment & Sustainability: Archontidou Vanessa
- Fashion: Valeria Taranto
- Finance: Katerina Stathopoulou
- Tourism and Hospitality: Arvanitis – Minot Aphrodite
- Law and political science: Lefkofridi Zoi
- Media communications and marketing: Eleni Konstantinidis
- Science and technology: Alexandra Turoutoglou
- Expedition: Eleni Lykofridi
- Social Responsibility: Balatsou Lilian
- Sports: Arauzou Kelly
- Young Star Award: Ragou Aliki
The GIWA committee presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned Greek performer Maria Farandouri, who has made a lasting impact on the international music scene. She delivered a meaningful and particularly moving acceptance.
“The Rise” award statuette was inspired by its creators Natassa Lianou and Ermis Halvatzis of LC Architects, by the ethereal yet dynamic nature of every woman.
Katerina Gagaki. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Maria Nefeli Hatzioannou. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Maïna Lida Koutareli. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Katerina Minas, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Litsa Panagiotopoulou and Ioanna Paschalidou. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Sagia Tsaousidou and Eliza Vozenberg. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Fotini Androulaki, Stella Papadopoulou, Aliki Danali and Lena Kilokitha. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Sophia Konstantopoulou, Ioanna Paschalidou, Lilly Pyraki and Maria Hatziaslani. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Sophia Konstantopoulou and Maria Papalambrou. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
The GIWA organizing committee. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Anastasia Therianou, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Anita Brant, Haris Christopoulos and Ioanna Paschalidou. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Sissy Fida, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Lilly Pyraki, Fotini Androulaki and Elizabeth Vozeberg. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Maria Korinthiou and Maria Ioannidou. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Aliki Danali, Maria Korinthiou, Sophia Konstantopoulou. Lilly Pyraki and Anita Brant. Photo: NPD Photo Agency
Pericles Kondylatos, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Elena Mattheopoulos and Vassilis Zoulias. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Maria Korinthiou, Sophia Konstantopoulou and Nina Lotsari. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NPD Photo Agency
Maria Korinthiou and Nina Lotsari. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NPD Photo Agency
Maria Papalambrou and Fedra Alexopoulou. Photo Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency
“This is a call for you, Greek woman of today. I know you fought a lot to move forward. Even to survive. If there are doubts in your mind, I challenge you to ignore them and dare, because by daring you are not only representing yourself, but you are representing thousands of Greek women around the world who will be inspired by you, by your own story. Because women inspire women! said GIWA President Ms. Sofia Konstantopoulou
The GIWA ceremony was enhanced by the presence of the Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad, Mr. Yiannis Chrysoulakis, representatives of the OTE group, Ms. Irini Nicolaidis and Elena Papadopoulou, the representative of EY Hellas, Eftychia Kaselaki , and many other eminent personalities from the field of politics, art, entrepreneurship, sports, etc.,
After the awards ceremony, a networking reception followed with music set by DJ Avgoustinos.
For more information, please visit the official website website
