WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of Penelope (DOP), a preeminent international women’s organization, hosted Her Excellency Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Alexandra Papadopoulou for a webinar in celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8. The webinar recording can be found on the DOP YouTube channel:

DOP Grand President Kathy Bizoukas moderated the discussion with Ambassador Papadopoulou who fielded questions about her career in the foreign service and her journey to become Greece’s ambassador to the United States. She also shared anecdotes from her youth, lessons learned, and tips and advice, based on upon her extensive experience in the field. A short Q&A session followed the discussion.

“I have a theory that life takes you where you are meant to go,” Ambassador Papadopoulou said, reflecting on other interests she had in her youth, such as architecture, interior decorating, and journalism. “At some point, I thought about the foreign service because it offers you a lot of variety. It is what I love about my job. The fact that you do not do the same thing every year.”

She added: “Being ambassador in the U.S. is different than being the permanent representative of Greece to the EU; is different than being ambassador to Skopje and North Macedonia. There is always something to keep your interest alive. The main attraction about my job is that after forty-plus years, I am still very interested and curious about what comes next.”

“We sincerely appreciate Ambassador Papadopoulou for spending time with us on International Women’s Day to discuss her pathway that led to a career in the foreign service and eventually becoming the first female ambassador to represent Greece in the United States,” Grand President Bizoukas said. “Ambassador Papadopoulou is an inspiration to us all. We are proud of her professional accomplishments, and we wish her continued success at her post in Washington, which is one of the most crucial ones in the world.”

Connie Mourtoupalas, the Cultural attaché at the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC, was among those who attended. DOP Grand Vice President Georgette Boulegeris, Grand Secretary Marianthi Treppiedi, Grand Treasurer Margaret Dritsas, and Executive Director Elena Saviolakis also attended.

Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope is the first women’s organization of its kind established in the United States. It is an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). The mission of the DOP is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.

For more information about the DOP, or any of its programs or projects, please visit www.daughtersofpenelope.org.