On June 28, The National Herald/Ethnikos Kirix (TNH/EK) held an event in honor of all the women from its Gynaika insert which celebrated its 100th issue this month. Successful women from all fields including artists, authors, doctors, educators, lawyers, and government officials have graced the cover of Gynaika, celebrating them for the inspiration and pride they bring to the community. Among those attending the event were Madeline Singas- Nassau County District Attorney, Aravella Simotas- New York State Assembly member, Yiota Stratis, Kathy Boulukos, Olga Alexakos, Vasiliki Filiotis, Stella Kokolis, Irene Sarri, and Aphrodite Skeadas.

The meeting began with an introduction by TNH’s Amalia Kessaris who welcomed everyone warmly and thanked all those in attendance. Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas then spoke about what an honor it was for her to be included in Gynaika and in TNH in general since it is such an important institution in her family and in the Greek-American community especially.

Appearing on the cover of Gynaika, she said was like being a celebrity or a model, she then corrected herself and said it was exactly like being a celebrity in her family because TNH is such a vital institution, a bridge to the past and future, and a source of pride for the community. Singas said she is proud to be Greek-American and a woman and that her proud Greek father got the doctor and lawyer he wanted for son-in-laws from his daughters themselves instead, demonstrating how much women can achieve given the opportunity and education.

Anna Megaris, Principal of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian Greek School spoke about the importance of maintaining the Greek language and culture especially for the younger generation. She noted that the children laugh when she tells then that learning the Greek language is making them smarter, but it is true. Learning all the rules and intricacies of the language is indeed making the children smarter. Megaris congratulated TNH publisher and editor Antonis Diamataris and the staff on Gynaika for highlighting the achievements of women and for promoting Hellenism.

Aravella Simotas- New York State Assembly member spoke about how proud and happy she is to attend the event, observing that the offices of TNH were her first stop in 2010 when she first ran for public office. Simotas reads the paper every day to keep up with the events and issues vital to the community, a habit she picked up from her father.

Publisher/editor of TNH, Antonis Diamataris mentioned his recent return from Greece where he visited the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, urging everyone to visit as a point of pride for all in the Greek community. He went on to thank Amalia Kesaris for her efforts in organizing the event, and Demetris Tsakas, and welcomed Theodore Kalmoukos and those from the Boston office of TNH.

Diamataris said that although Gynaika is 8 and 1/2 years old and TNH is celebrating its 101st year, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” paraphrasing the Chinese saying. He went on to say that it is important to celebrate the achievements of women who are successful in a variety of fields because the role of women is vital for the future of the community, not for reasons of egoism, but as an example to follow and to acknowledge and honor them for their work and accomplishments.

In society at large, many strides have been made by women in the last ten years, especially by women in public office, including Madeline Singas and Aravella Simotas, and perhaps we may even see a woman president in a few months.
Gynaika remains as a record of the achievements of the women of our community and will remain in the archives of TNH to inspire future generations.