Greek expatriate women were honored for the second consecutive year in Thessaloniki on Wednesday night in a special ceremony hosted by the Prefecture of Thessaloniki in cooperation with the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

The event was held with the support of the ministries of foreign affairs, Macedonia-Thrace and sports and was addressed by Macedonia-Thrace Minister Stavros Kalafatis, Thesssaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad General Director Ioannis Kyparissidis, who convey a message by Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis, Metropolitans Anthimos of Thessaloniki and Demetrios of Irinoupolis and Seychelles Islands, SAE President Stefanos Tamvakis and SAE Secretary Olga Sarantopoulos. Also present were local administration officials, foreign diplomats and a large crowd.

Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis underlined the contribution of the Greek expatriate women, who raised their children with the love for the homeland embedded within their hearts, adding that "we owe it to these wonderful women that Hellenism shines and will continue to shine forever and everywhere."

He also referred to the great contribution of the Greek expatriates in the defense of national interests and called for unity "to protect the sacred name of Macedonia."

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Stavros Kalafatis described the Greek expatriate women as the "bearers of the Ecumenical Hellenism's value system," pointing out that Thessaloniki is the Metropolis of World Hellenism. He referred to the "Ark of Hellenes Abroad" warmly supported by the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace and to the draft law on the Greek expatriate voting rights. The Greeks abroad should have the right to vote in Greek national elections, he stressed.

The comments made by the honorees while receiving a gold-plated olive tree branch, an eternal symbol of wisdom and peace, were very moving.

Pan-Macedonian Association, Inc., USA President Nina Gatzoulis, who received her award from the minister of Macedonia-Thrace, underlined that being honored in Macedonia has a great symbolic value, adding that the award honors all the women from Macedonia who live in America and the organization that gives a fight since 1947 to defend and promote historical truth. Professor in the Classical Studies Department, University of New Hampshire, Gatzoulis stressed that the FYROM name issue is not closed for the Pan-Macedonian Associations around the world and that they are against the use of the term "Macedonia" in a future FYROM name.

Lucy Grigoriadis from Toronto, Canada, founder of the Greek Orthodox Social Services (for victims of domestic violence, spousal abuse) and chairperson since 1984, referred to the volunteer work offered by the Greek women in Canada. "I have a vision of a society characterized by harmony, solidarity and humanity," Grigoriadis stressed receiving her award from Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos.

Journalist Katerina Katopodi from Johannesburg, active in human rights issues, dedicated the award she received from Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) North Greece Regional Director Vassilis Rigopoulos, to the Greek women in South Africa, who raised their children to love the homeland.

The need to continue the fight for the equal treatment of women was underlined by Paraskevi Mesimeri-Kianidis Australian-Greek Welfare Society Director, who was honored with the Queen of England Medal of Honor for her social work helping women and immigrants in Australia. She received the award from the president of SAE.

Alexandra Protsenko-Pitsatzi, President of the Federation of Greek Associations in Ukraine, recited a verse from the anthem of the Greeks in Ukraine when she received her award from ERT World Satellite Programme Director Nikos Kourtis. Protsenko has received awards from the Ukrainian State and the Greek Orthodox Church for her efforts to promote the propagation of Greek culture and Greek-Ukrainian cooperation.

Internationally recognized research scientist Dr Katerina Harvati (Germany) and active volunteer in community affairs Sophia Papadopoulou-Tagaropoulou (Panama) were unable to attend due to previous engagements. Their awards were received by SAE Secretary Olga Sarantopoulos and Federation of Greek Communities in Belgium President Evdoxia Panta who referred extensively to the role of the Greek expatriate women.