A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 31 - Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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Philoptochos Honors Members
NEW YORK - The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society convened at the Broadway Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan Monday night to honor some of their most accomplished members. Entitled, “Making a Difference Through Service,” the gala event, held in conjunction with the week-long Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress featured Nane Annan, wife of the Secretary General to the United Nations, Kofi Annan, as the keynote speaker. The event drew Philoptochos members from across the country, and was a significant highlight of the Congress’ agenda. The evening began with the singing of the American and Greek National Anthems, and a blessing given by Archbishop Demetrios, who is celebrating his fifth year of enthronement as Archbishop of America—with welcome speeches offered by Aphrodite Skeadas, Treasurer of the National Philoptochos, as well as the U.S. State Department’s Assistant Secretary of the Office of Civil Rights Barbara Spyridon Pope, who acted as Toastmistress for the night’s festivities. Brief greetings were also offered by Georgia Skeadas, President of the National Philoptochos Society. Due to the keynote speaker’s need to make her flight to Africa, Mrs. Annan preceded the scheduled musical interlude, and began her speech, which was entitled, “Making a Difference in the Lives of Children and Families: Partnering with the United Nations.” Mrs. Annan, a representative of UNICEF (the United Nation’s Children’s Fund), a published author, artist, and legal expert, has had a longstanding passion for children’s issues. She has traveled with her husband to many parts of the world, and has seen firsthand the devastation of extreme poverty, disease and disadvantage. Mrs. Annan spoke about the lack of adequate living conditions in many areas of the globe. Third world countries such as Mozambique, India, Argentina, Nairobi, and Botswana—where she was asked by little girls what they are to do, with the threat of HIV/AIDS omnipresent—suffer from a lack of clean water and any options whatsoever for advancement. She told the attendees about the “water project,” a program set up by UNICEF with assistance from the Philoptochos, and its effect on the African people who benefited from it. “The water project has liberated us,” Mrs. Annan said, quoting the villagers she met. “The lack of adequate water was pushing the community into further poverty,” she emphasized. It was due to the hard work of the charitable organizations that helped implement the program that the village children could attend school, even growing some vegetables so that some income could be earned. “My husband believes in education for all...the uneducated get left behind,” Mrs. Annan pointed out. “It’s about being able to earn an income…” However, she underscored that education’s most important effect is empowerment. Finally, she thanked the Philoptochos for being “a friend to the poor and to UNICEF,” and stated, “I know that’s why you’re here— because you care.” After Mrs. Annan’s well received address, a message from the Patriarch was delivered by His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloe and Serention, which extended blessings and praise for the Ladies Philoptochos and their good works. The Patriarch’s message stated, “We are sure that you will continue a work that has been excellent and admirable, and for which you have been praised by the Mother Church.” It concluded with the words, “All of you, the members of the Ladies Philoptochos…have been called by God.” The awards portion of the evening was a poignant reminder of the dynamism and motivation of some of the Philoptochos’ highest achievers. The Honorable Yorka Linakis, perhaps the most special honoree, was recognized for her many years of service to the Philoptochos. A groundbreaker who graduated from New York Law School in 1944, Judge Linakis was the first Greek American woman elected to the state supreme court at a time when few women even entered the field of law. After a brief description of her many accomplishments were read to the audience by the announcer, Pauline Callas O’ Neal, Judge Linakis took the microphone and quipped, “As you can see, seniority has its privileges.” She added that “a simple ‘Thank You’” for the honor was all that was necessary, and that the honorees were simply living in accordance with the New Testament’s precept “To share each other’s burdens.” Penny Panagiota Deligiannis, Mardene Morykwas, Catherine Pappas, Paulette Poulos, and Jeanne Tsakalos were also honored for their exceptional work. The women were all applauded for efforts that spanned many years, and that showed a devotion and drive to improving the lives of many. Ms. Poulos has been with the Archdiocese since 1965, and began as a secretary. She became an assistant director, then a director at the Archdiocese. In 1984 she was named Director of Administration of the Office of former Archbishop Iakovos, and voluntarily decided to relocate to Rye, New York, to assist Iakovos when he retired. She was praised for being a major fundraiser for the Learning and Resource Center at Hellenic College/Holy Cross. Also, many people cheered especially loudly for her, and gave her a standing ovation.
The night ended with presentations by the
Archbishop, as well as by Georgia Skeadas. There
was no mention made of the incident regarding the
Metropolitan of San Francisco’s alleged pressure
on the national office of the Philoptochos to
rescind an award intended for an unnamed,
“acclaimed philanthropist in the greater Los
Angeles community,” according to a piece authored
by George Matsoukas, Executive Director of the
Orthodox Christian Laity. The general reaction
among attendees was that it was a successful,
enjoyable event. |
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