The Society of Kalamata ’23 March’ published a bilingual book written and researched by Peter Andrinopoulos, highlighting the influence and contributions of women of Greek background throughout the world over the last 200 years.

The book was launched by the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change at Alphington Grammar School on Sunday 26 June 2022 and was attended by hundreds of Greek-Australians.

The book ties in with one of the pillars of the Greece 2021 committee launched by the Greek Government centred on “Greeks who left their mark on the world in the last 200 years”.

The book has been written as a lasting tribute to significant women’s accomplishments of Greek background featuring women from around the world who have excelled in their field of endeavour.

These women stem from diverse fields, including Academia, Administration, Allied Health, Arts, Adventure Sports, Armed Forces, Banking, Cooking, Design, Education, Engineering, Entertainment, Fine Art, Government, Journalism, Judiciary, Law, Medicine, Music, News, Olympics, Opera, Philanthropy, Playwright, Poetry, Politics, Religion, Resistance Fighting, Revolutionary Leaders, Royalty, Universities, Science, Space, Sport and Writing.

Some of the inspiring women featured, also shared the stage with Mr Andrinopoulos to introduce the book. The list includes:

– The Hon Jenny Mikakos, former Minister for Health

– Ms Kris Pavlidis, former Mayor of Whittlesea and President of PRONIA

_ Ms Martha Oplopiadis, a pioneer in engineering and an advocate for women in STEM, also recipient of the HACCI 2024 Woman of Influence Award

– Ms Litsa Athanasiadis, former and first female President of the Central Pontian Association “Pontiaki Estia” and President of the Merimna Pontion Kyrion of Oceania

– Ms Victoria Loizides, University Student at Monash University and Emerging Curator and Art Writer in Naarm (Melbourne)

To the delight of all who attended, Mr Andrinopoulos personally signed copies of the book on the day of the event and also spoke of the women who influenced him and continue to support him, he acknowledged his wife Dim, his mother Marianna, his sister Tina, mother in law Asimo, stepdaughter Victoria and niece Yahna.