The Newsletter of The Hellenic Women’s Club, Inc., EOK

Spring 2017

Message from the President Hellenic Women’s Club, Inc., EOK Greetings, Officers 2017-2018 I am pleased to send you the fifth Felicia Kiehm ...... President annual Hellenic Women’s Club, Dorothy Sophocles ...... Vice President Janice Panagako ...... Treasurer EOK newsletter. It has been a busy Stacey Tsairis Kacoyanis ...... Assistant Treasurer year for the EOK as it continues Eva Markos...... Corresponding Secretary its fundraising efforts. To better Despina Koules Anton...... Recording Secretary communicate our exciting fundraising Stephanie C. Andrews** ...... Budget Chair Kathleen Hamilton ...... Charity Review events, scholarship opportunities and Pamela Lazares* ...... Demetra Fund news, we recently launched our Facebook page and Bobi Koukounaris-Lelon ...... Scholarship Fund updated our website. Please visit www.facebook.com/ Heidi Tourkistas ...... Sustaining Sponsor HellenicWomensClubIncEOK as well as our website Members www.hellenicwomensclub.org for updated information. Joan Aliapoulios* Daphne Georas Meredith Through your continued support and generosity, Renee Argyris Andrea Argeros Mihos Christa Ayoub Jamie Monovoukas the Hellenic Women’s Club has distributed over Jean Canellos* Elaine Pantazopoulos $2,000,000, in the last seventeen years alone, to many Carolyn DelGizzi Athena Papas* worthy charities from Boston to across the Atlantic. Patricia L. Dukakis* Mary Papastavros This past fall, we were very pleased to donate $5,000 to Yiota Katsarakes Mary Lynn Pergantis* Christine Kondoleon Julie A. Pernokas the Ionian Village Rebuilding Fund that was established Jane P. Kourtis Allys Spilios to rebuild the campsite that suffered heavy damage Tamara Lingos Jennifer Trakas-Acerra from a tornado that hit the area in in September. Tania Lingos-Webb Diane Speare Triant* Jackie Gigantes McCabe Zacharie Haseotes Vinios This edition of INK, has articles that we hope you will find interesting including a spotlight on the famed Associate Members runner from Greece, Stylianos Kyriakides Olga Bassett Alexis Lelon* who won in the in 1946, the year of Maria Behrakis Valentine Mason* the EOK’s first Mistletoe Ball. Crystal Condakes* Joanne Nikitas You should have received a colorful invitation to Angelyn Konugres Coupounas Maria Karagianis O’Neill Louise Damascus* Connie Papageorge* BLOOMING PINK, a fashion show to benefit the Harriet Kotsilimbas Davis Maria Papageorge Demetra Fund for Breast Cancer Research and Patient Carolyn Pappas Diamandis* Thalia Papageorgiou Assistance. This evening of couture and cocktails on Carol Drake* Mary Philopoulos* Wednesday May 3rd will be held at Bloomingdales, Constance Georgaklis* Cathy Papoulias Sakellaris Chestnut Hill. We hope that you will also find time to Mary Gomatos Matia Sculos* attend and enjoy the warmth of this special community. Sandra Gomatos Janis Otis Semine Linda Hasiotis* Diana Tsomides Please accept our heartfelt thank you for all that you Katherine Karagianis* Alexis Hasiotis Wintersteen have done to help the Hellenic Women’s Club EOK Liz Karagianis Clotilde Zannetos continue to support an array of worthy efforts. Thank *Former President you and happy reading! Felicia Kiehm THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF INK President, Hellenic Women’s Club, Inc., EOK Stephanie Andrews, Jane Kourtis, Pamela Lazares, Mary Lynn Pergantis, Diane Speare Triant

179948 HWC Ink.indd 1 3/21/17 11:19 AM Through the Past Supporting Our Faith During the club’s early years in in Boston’s flagship Greek Orthodox the late 1930s and 1940s, EOK Cathedral of the Annunciation. members devoted their efforts to the When St. Nicholas Church at the Greek War Relief in support of a World Trade Center was destroyed motherland ravaged by WWII and on 9/11, the ladies of the EOK were the ensuing civil war. But their Greek among the first to donate towards Orthodox faith was never far from to receive a 1980s letter of thanks its reconstruction at ground zero. their thoughts. In the late 1940s, – mailed from Turkey to the club The Hellenic Women’s Club has they proudly sponsored a reception president – from His All Holiness also been pleased to participate in at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios. for Archbishop Athenagoras of the several Boston Metropolis projects Americas. He would soon be elected As the millennium turned, HC/ during the ministry of His Eminence Ecumenical Patriarch, to be notably HC completed construction of a Metropolitan Methodios. Close to flown to Constantinople in President handsome library to be named his heart is Philoxenia House, which Harry Truman’s airplane! in honor of Archbishop Iakovos. offers hospitality and lodging to The Hellenic Women’s Club voted Greek patients and families who a major monetary gift during the come to Boston for treatment. Club library’s fundraising drive, and members adopted a “bedroom” members were invited to inspect there, personally selecting and the magnificent new edifice. Inside, overseeing its furnishing of bed they admired liturgical objects from linens, towels, curtains, rugs, and the archbishop’s personal effects, other items. In addition, EOKers on permanent display as part of the have delivered Christmas sundries Archbishop Iakovos Collection. during many a holiday season to Philoxenia House residents. And in a recent Major Gift to the St. Methodios Faith By 1961, thoughts turned to Hellenic and Heritage College/Holy Cross (HC/HC), and Center in New the club was pleased to offer its first Hampshire, the scholarship to a theological student. club provided An unbroken line of recipients has the twelve-foot followed, stretching for 56 year to the mosaic cross for present day. In the 1970s, with EOK the fireplace wall president Ellie Bounakes looking on, Support for the Greek Orthodox of the Retreat Archbishop Iakovos of the Americas faith gave rise to other initiatives Center. as well. These included outreach to personally awarded the scholarships. His Eminence, in turn, has college students through donations honored the EOK by his presence HC/HC was also the recipient of to the National Orthodox Campus at the annual Mistletoe Ball. In other Major Gifts from the club: Ministry; financial support towards 2016, he offered the evening’s rebuilding the Greek Annunciation blessings to the guests gathered to Church in Newburyport after celebrate a remarkable milestone it was demolished by fire; and of philanthropy and service: the underwriting the restoration and Hellenic Women’s Club’s 80th cleaning of the massive chandeliers anniversary.

student computers, a Dean’s Chair, and monies for chapel repairs. In recognition of four decades of philanthropy both in the U.S. and in Greece, EOK members were honored

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179948 HWC Ink.indd 2 3/21/17 11:19 AM EOK’s Steadfast Philanthropy to its Hellenic Roots Marathon. For the first 24 miles, he ran neck and neck with the renowned two-time Boston marathoner champion . But at Kenmore Square, with less than two miles left in the race, Kyriakides, drawing on his sense of purpose, sprinted ahead and won, calling out “For Greece!” as he crossed the finish line. Following this tremendous victory, with his new-found fame, Kyriakides traveled across New England to plead for assistance for his country. It cannot be a coincidence that the Hellenic Women’s Club, already active in the Greek War Relief effort, undertook a new initiative that same year. That fall, on a Saturday evening in November of 1946, the Hellenic Women’s Club held its first dinner dance fundraiser at True to its mission, the Hellenic Women’s Club has the Hotel Vendome in Boston, the proceeds of which generously provided aid to the country of its origin, were to be donated to the Greek War Relief effort. not only in the early years of the organization, during Over time this dinner dance evolved into the annual the Greek War Relief effort, but also to the present day, “Mistletoe Ball,” which continues today, and is the during Greece’s economic and refugee crises. In 2016, major fundraising vehicle of the EOK. EOK donated $10,000 through its Major Gift Fund, to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in support of Project Greek Economic Crisis and Project Greek Refugee Aid. Mission Statement Founded in 1936 in Boston, the Hellenic Women’s Club, Inc., Through the years, the Hellenic Women’s Club has also known as Epsilon Omicron Kappa, promotes fellowship proudly offered its steadfast philanthropy to the people among its members and engages in numerous philanthropic endeavors. Limited to a membership of forty-five and meeting of Greece in their times of need. Shortly after the monthly, EOK is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) founding of EOK in 1936, the devastation of World War organization characterized by a close, hard-working group of II began. By 1946, World War II had ended, but had uniquely dedicated women who offer their talents, energies and left the small but proud and valiant country of Greece spirit to the mission of charity. impoverished, in famine, and in the grips of a civil war. For more than eight decades, the Hellenic Women’s Club The women of the EOK responded, wrapping bandages activities have embodied the values of selflessness and for Greek soldiers and collecting warm bedding and achievement for the benefit of others. Made possible through the generous and continued support of its patrons, the Club clothing to send to the war orphans. sponsors two major charitable events each year: the Mistletoe Ball in November and a benefit in the spring. These fundraisers The Greek War Relief effort was catapulted into the enable the Hellenic Women’s Club to support a variety of spotlight with an unlikely, and little known victory, worthy causes. in the 1946 Boston Marathon. A 36-year-old long- distance runner from Greece, Stylianos Kyriakides, won the Boston Marathon. Against the odds, Kyriakides Mistletoe Ball Photo by Lisa Cohen had survived the German occupation, not only the devastating famine, but also execution at the hands of the Nazis, who spared him at the last moment, when they saw his participation certificate from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Kyriakides was determined to win, not for his own personal gain, but to raise awareness and money for Greece’s starving people who were dying in the streets. And so it happened, that on a cool day in April, Kyriakides ran in the 50th anniversary of the Boston

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179948 HWC Ink.indd 3 3/21/17 11:19 AM EOK Established Charities researchers are able to see the progressive effects of Established Charities Alzheimer’s as plaques develop, compromising neuron (receiving annual donations for the past 10 to 45 transmissions and eventually leading to the atrophy and years): death of brain cells. Observation of this process allows American Farm School doctors to determine the points at which interventions Boston Children’s Hospital – Neufeld Hematology could most effectively treat, and ultimately prevent, Fund/ Thalassemia Research Alzheimer’s Disease. Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association – Doctors also reported that by studying older adults who Hellenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center have not developed Alzheimer’s, they have identified Hellenic Women’s Club, E.O.K. Demetra Fund for a gene, present in 3% of the population, which may Breast Cancer Research and Patient Assistance prevent the disease. This discovery has lead to a phase MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease 3 gene therapy trial in cooperation with Biogen, with –Alzheimer’s Research promising results in the reduction of Alzheimer’s Perkins School for the Blind symptoms. Philoxenia House, Metropolis of Boston Rosie’s Place With 13% of people over the age of 65 and almost 1/3 of people over the age of 85 affected by Alzheimer’s, the Scholarship Funds: work of the MIND team is essential to the treatment and prevention of this crippling disease. By providing Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology necessary funding, including stipends and supplies for Wellesley College (endowed fund) neurology research fellows, the Hellenic Women’s Club Hellenic Women’s Club Scholarship has helped to sustain this critical research. (Note: Included in its support of the MGH Department Spotlight on an Established Charity: of Neurology are the Hellenic Women’s Club past MIND: Alzheimer’s Research donations to the Nicholas T. Zervas Research Fund. Until his retirement in 2011, Dr. Zervas was the Chair Alzheimer’s Disease continues to be one of the most of the MGH Department of Neurosurgery. Funding devastating illnesses to strike older adults. At a from the Hellenic Women’s Club allowed him to pursue renovated warehouse in the former Charlestown Navy several areas of research, including his work on cerebral Yard, over 150 doctors, scientists, research fellows vasospasm and protein beam radiation therapy.) and technicians work in collaboration to determine the causes of Alzheimer’s and related diseases such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and ALS. The MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MIND), led by Dr. Bradley Hyman, MD, PhD and Dr. John Growdon, MD, focuses resources on brain function research, linking lab findings with potential drug therapies and testing the safety and effectiveness of new treatments. Since 1982, the Hellenic Women’s Club has donated over $100,000 to the MGH Department of Neurology, designating funds to support MIND’s ongoing research on Alzheimer’s. A former club member, the late Ann Decaneas, brought MIND’s impressive results to the EOK’s attention, when her own beloved husband was stricken by the disease. On a recent visit to the MIND facility, EOK members were able to observe research on mice which includes Mary Papastavros, Kathleen Hamilton, Dr. Brad microscopic imaging of aging mice brains. In real time, Hyman, Jamie Monovoukas

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179948 HWC Ink.indd 4 3/21/17 11:19 AM The Hellenic Women’s Club Giving History Over $2 million dollars have been awarded in the past seventeen Ionian Island Earthquake Relief years alone to EOK Established Charities (see page 4) and others Ionian Village Rebuilding Fund through the Club’s unique Special Appeals and Major Gift Funds. Iron Lung to hospital in Greece This program enables the Club to support timely and sometimes Cynthia Kangos (Olympic swimmer) urgent philanthropic needs at the request of its members. Kyparisia Orphanage, Athens The Lighthouse Charitable Foundation Such donations include: Lupus Foundation of New England Ace Bailey Children’s Fund LOGOS Lupus Foundation of New England American Cancer Society Maliotis Cultural Center (kitchen) American Heart Association Massachusetts Chapter of the Nature Conservancy American Red Cross Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund (Japan tsunami relief; Hurricane Sandy and other aid) Massachusetts 9/11 Fund Anatolia College Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center-Greek children’s cancer Athens College Metropolis of Boston-Father Matthew Baker Fund Athens Symphony Orchestra Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center Battered Women Fighting Back, Inc. Mitera Orphanage, Athens Beacon Academy Museum of Fine Arts (Art in Bloom, art restoration, Greek Belle of the Ball Community Day) Boston Ballet Boston Museum of Science Children’s Hospital Hellenic Cardiac Fund National Brain Tumor Society Boston Latin Schools (scholarships) National Conference for Community and Justice Boston Med Flight (transport of critical patients) National Orthodox Campus Ministry Boston Opera Company National Philoptochos Foster Parents Program Boston Symphony Orchestra Neighbor Brigade Central Asia Institute (schools for Afghan girls) New England Conservatory of Music (scholarship) Children’s Hospital Phenylketonuria (PKU) Dept. Northeastern University (scholarship) College Year in Athens Ox-Fam (hunger relief) Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club Panagia Kalyviani Orphanage, Crete Community Cooks Volunteer Cooking Class Patras Foundling Home, Vrefokomion Cristo Rey High School, Boston (refrigerator and playground equipment) Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch (healing abused children) Peace First Patriarchate Orphans, Istanbul Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Pine Street Inn Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (clinical trial supported by Princess Alice Fund (Greek princess’ aid to the infirm) Demetra Fund for Breast Cancer Research) Ronald McDonald House (Greek Division) Dana Farber Cancer Institute – Salvation Army (Katrina Fund) Dr. George P. Canellos Research Fund Shriners Hospital for Children-Boston Deree Pierce College, Athens Sloan-Kettering Hospital (Greek children’s cancer) Diana, Princess of Wales Foundation SPARK Center Children’s AIDS Program (Boston Medical Center) Doctors Without Borders Sparta Workshop for the Blind Evangelismos Hospital, Athens (microscope) Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Girls, Inc. of Lynn St. Basil’s Academy (orphans, Iakovos Athletic Field) Globe Santa St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Weston (Psychosavato) Greek Consulate of Boston St. Nicholas Church, NY, 9/11 Fund The Greek Institute Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Boston, Evangelismos Sumeria Foundation (senior citizens, psychosavato, chandelier cleaning) Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church, Watertown Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston (camp program, youth Orphanage in Thessaly (clothes dryer) ministries, mosaic cross for retreat center) Tripolis School for the Blind Harvard University (scholarships, rare Greek books) Tufts University (dental scholarships) Hatzikiriakion Orphanage, Piraeus United Red Feather Hellenic College/Holy Cross (computers, chapel repairs, Dean’s Vision 21 (Greek Orthodox Diocese) chair, Archbishop Iakovos library, 75th Anniversary) WGBH, Public Television Heroes Welcome Fund (9/11 first responders) World Wildlife Fund (conservation efforts in Greece) Horizons for Homeless Children International Orthodox Christian Charities - IOCC (Peloponnesus fires relief effort; Greek Refugee Aid and OVER $2 MILLION DOLLARS HAVE BEEN Greek Economic Crisis; Nepal Disaster Relief) AWARDED IN THE PAST SEVENTEEN YEARS ALONE.

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179948 HWC Ink.indd 5 3/21/17 11:19 AM EOK Awards Six scholarships Victoria Sivco of East Sandwich is a junior at Boston College. She is studying Political Science and is captain of her cross county team. She has been a leader in both the Eagle Model United Nations and the American Enterprise Institute. This winter, Victoria will spend three weeks volunteering in communities in both Palestine and Israel. Eleni Constantinou of North Easton is a freshman at Boston University where she is studying Environmental Kristina Barounis, Eleni Constantinou, Alexa Sciences. In high school, Eleni volunteered her time Marcasciano, Asimina Pantazelos, and Victoria Sivco teaching science, math, and English to elementary school deaf students and created an American sign The Hellenic Women’s Club Scholarship Fund was Language club at her high school. A talented violinist, created to mark the club’s 75th anniversary. The Eleni played in the New England Conservatory Youth Fund annually supports young women who receive Orchestra. a $5000 scholarship for either undergraduate or graduate studies. Recipients are selected on the basis of Alexa Macasciano of Wellesley is a freshman at Cornell academics, leadership, and community service and are University where she is a member of the Cornell honored in November at the Mistletoe Ball, the club’s Women’s Rowing Team. Her community service signature black-tie fundraising event held at the Boston endeavors include volunteering to teach people with Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. mental and physical disabilities how to row. Alexa graduated high school with an impressive 4.9 GPA. Chairman of the Scholarship Fund, Bobi Koukounaris- Lelon noted, “This year was the sixth year of awards but one of firsts, as an award was presented to a young mother in graduate school.” Where is she now? A look at Melissa Christ of Brookline is a graduate student at the a recipient of the first EOK Harvard Graduate School of Education. Melissa was scholarship awards voted Teacher of the Year in the Elementary school where she was teaching. Through grants and her Nancy Zacharakis graduated from Boston University “Backpack Program”, Melissa obtained everything from May 2015 summa cum laude with a Neuroscience backpacks and sneakers, to supplies for both students degree. Post graduation she worked at Massachusetts and teachers at her local low-income school. Melissa is General Hospital as a clinical research coordinator in a mother and the wife of a Hellenic College and Holy the pediatric neuromuscular department. She now owns Cross graduate student. her own business in the health and wellness industry. Nancy’s passion is helping people break free from Asimina Pantazelos of Danvers is attending the MIT unhealthy habits and live their best, most fulfilled lives. Sloan School of Management. She was one of ten She loves writing, being in the outdoors, and anything students chosen for the Florida State University Service fitness-related. Nancy’s dream is to travel to and live in Scholars where she recorded nearly 1,000 hours of different areas of the US as well as all around the world, community service. Along with several Service Scholars, experiencing different cultures and activities, having an she co-founded and became President of the first fully amazing community anywhere she goes, and helping student-run United Way in the country. people along the way. Nancy shared these sentiments “I would like to thank the Hellenic Women’s Club for their Kristina Barounis of Westwood is a senior at Tufts kindness, generosity and belief in me. Not only did their University where she is studying Quantitative scholarship financially help me but it also connected me Economics and Finance. Kristina is a rower for the to an incredible network and community.” Varsity Women’s Crew Team as well as treasurer of the Tufts Orthodox Christian Fellowship.

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179948 HWC Ink.indd 6 3/21/17 11:19 AM EOK Demetra Fund

Demetra “Toulie” Samellas

The Demetra Fund for Breast Cancer Research and Patient Assistance is currently entering its 16th year. To date, the Fund has committed to and/or fulfilled $400,000 in pledges for research and patient assistance at Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) as well as for patient care – most particularly in the form of lymphedema compression sleeves – at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Care Center (MGHCC). The exciting news coming from Demetra currently is the launch in October 2016 of our three year $100,000 pledge, which underwrites the groundbreaking research of Dr. Constantine S. Mitsiades, MD, PhD and Dr. Eugen Dhimolea, PhD, at DFCI. “We cannot thank the members of the Hellenic Women’s Club enough for the much needed funds to support this important research,” said Dr. Mitsiades recently. The Escada boutique in Boston hosted a fun- filled evening of shopping and Valentine’s treats in scholarship 2016, donating a portion of the proceeds to the the hellenic women’s club. inc., eok Demetra Fund. Preparations are now underway for program BLOOMING PINK, a May 3, 2017 Cocktail Fashion The scholarshipHellenic Women’s Club is pleased Show Fundraiser, at Bloomingdale’s in Chestnut SCHOLARSHIPto announceprogram a scholarship PROGRAM program Hill. Chairs of the event, Jackie McCabe and Jamie for deserving young women who have Monovoukas are thrilled to announce that Maria The Hellenicdemonstrated Women’sThe Hellenic Women’s Club. community Club Inc., is pleased service,EOK is pleased to to announce a scholarship program Menounos, Emmy Award winning journalist and E! announce a leadershipscholarshipfor deserving and young academicprogram women achievement.who for have deserving young News Host will receive the first Demetra Award. This women who havedemonstrated demonstrated community service, community service, leadership and academic achievement. exciting evening will feature a full-on runway designer leadershipEach and Award academic will be achievement.$5,000 show, replete with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as well Each Award will be $5,000 as a day-long shopping opportunity, wherein 10% of all EachFor Award more information,will be $5,000 includingFor all more application information, materials, sales will be directed back to the Demetra Fund. including all application materials, For more information,pleaseplease visit visit includingour our website website all application And finally, we mourn the loss of our beloved EOK materials,www.HellenicWomensClub.orgwww.HellenicWomensClub.org please visit our website member, Dr. Helen O’Leary, who created the Demetra www.HellenicWomensClub.orgDeadline for 2012-2013 Fund in memory of her sister Demetra “Toulie” academicDeadline year for is June 2012-2013 30, 2012 Deadline for 2017-2018academic year academic is June 30, year 2012 is June 15, 2017 Samellas. She so inspired us all to “pay forward” her vision and generosity to help eradicate breast cancer and epsilon omicron kappa | established 1936 ease the lives of those suffering from its effects. May her epsilon omicron kappa | established 1936 memory be eternal.

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179948 HWC Ink.indd 7 3/21/17 11:19 AM Prsrtd Std U.S. Postage PAID The Newsletter of The Hellenic Women’s Club, Inc., EOK 04330 Permit No. 121 Upcoming events May 3, 2017 Blooming Pink - Demetra Fundraiser June 15, 2017 EOK scholarship applications due November 25, 2017 Mistletoe Ball

View our video at: www.hellenicwomensclub.org

For more information email us at: [email protected] or visit at www.Facebook.com/HellenicWomensClubIncEOK

Mistletoe Ball

Photos by Lisa Cohen

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