Greek women from all over the world were rewarded for their international achievements and actions at the third Greek International Women Awards (GIWA) held last Thursday in Athens.

Inaugurated in 2017 the awards set out to celebrate, empower and recognise Greek leading women whose stories are making an impact in the world.

This year, four Greek-Australian women figure in the short-list!

  • Dr Patricia Koromvokis, Lecturer and Head of Modern Greek Studies Program, Macquarie University, Sydney in the Education & Psychology category
  • Argyro Vourdoumpa, Journalist & Media Consultant, having worked in print, digital and broadcast media outlets across Europe, South East Asia and Australia – second ever female Editor in Chief of The Greek Herald in the Media & Marketing Communications category
  • Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou, Founder and Chair of the Not-for-Profit Greek Australian Women’s Network, ‘Food For Thought Network Inc’ and the global learning platform, ‘Greek Australian Women and Their Friends Around The World Global Forum’ in the Social Responsibility category
  • Nancy (Athanasia) Katsimberis, Management Executive and Co-Founder of Australian Utilities Company in the Environment and Sustainability categoryThis years awards ceremony took place for the first time in Greece at the amphitheatre of Pierce American College in Athens.

The GIWA candidates as well as people from politics, business and the arts, applauded the Greek women who participated and those who were awarded for their international achievements in 15 categories.

The ceremony was presented by the Deputy Mayor of Social Solidarity and Civil Society Katerina Gagaki.

During the event, the audience enjoyed musical pieces by the internationally recognised Nina Lotsari and the 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 & Psychology: Hiona Vivian
  • Environment & Sustainability: Archontidou Vanessa
  • Fashion: Valeria Taranto
  • Finance: Katerina Stathopoulou
  • Tourism and Hospitality: Arvanitis – Minot Aphrodite
  • Law & Political Sciences: Lefkofridi Zoi
  • Media & Marketing Communications: Eleni Konstantinidis
  • Science and Technology: Alexandra Turoutoglou
  • Shipping: Eleni Lykofridi
  • Social Responsibility: Balatsou Lilian
  • Sports: Arauzou Kelly
  • Young Star Award: Ragou Aliki

The GIWA committee offered the Lifetime Achievement award to renowned Greek performer Maria Farandouri, who has had an enduring 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 & Ermis Halvatzis of LC Architects, from the ethereal yet dynamic nature of each individual woman.

Katerina Gagaki. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Maria Nefeli Hatzioannou. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Maina Lida Koutareli. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Katerina Minas, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Litsa Panagiotopoulou and Ioanna Paschalidou. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Sagia Tsaousidou and Eliza Vozenberg. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Fotini Androulaki, Stella Papadopoulou, Aliki Danali and Lena Kilokitha. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Sophia Konstantopoulou, Ioanna Paschalidou, Lilly Pyraki and Maria Hatziaslani. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Sophia Konstantopoulou and Maria Papalambrou. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

The GIWA organising committe. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Anastasia Therianou, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Anita Brant, Haris Christopoulos and Ioanna Paschalidou. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Sissy Fida, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Lilly Pyraki, Fotini Androulaki and Elizabeth Vozeberg. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Maria Korinthiou and Maria Ioannidou. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Aliki Danali, Maria Korinthiou, Sophia Konstantopoulou. Lilly Pyraki and Anita Brant. Photo: NDP photo Agency

Pericles Kondylatos, Sophia Konstantopoulou, Elena Mattheopoulos and Vassilis Zoulias. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Maria Korinthiou, Sophia Konstantopoulou and Nina Lotsari. Photo: Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo Agency

Maria Korinthiou and Nina Lotsari. Photo: Andreas Nikolareas/NDP Photo Agency

Maria Papalambrou and Fedra Alexopoulou. Photo Thomas Daskalakis/NDP Photo AGency

“It is a call to you, Greek woman of today. I know you have fought a lot to move forward. Even to survive. If there are second thoughts in your mind, I challenge you to ignore them and instead – dare, because by daring you are not only representing yourself but you are representing thousands of Greek women all over the world who will be inspired by you, by your own story. Because women inspire women!” said the President of GIWA Mrs. Sofia Konstantopoulou

The GIWA ceremony was graced by the presence of the Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad, Mr. Yiannis Chrysoulakis, the representatives of OTE Group, Mrs. Irini Nicolaidis and Elena Papadopoulou, the representative of EY Hellas, Eftychia Kaselaki, and many more prominent personalities from the field of politics, art, entrepreneurship, sports, etc. ,

After the award ceremony, a networking reception followed with a music set by DJ Avgoustinos.

For further information please visit the official website