INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD: ATHENS'

UNCLAS ATHENS 000343

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

GREECE DESK FOR G/IWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL KPAO
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD: ATHENS'
NOMINATION

REF: STATE 12871


1. Embassy Athens nominates Prof. Eleftheria A.
Bernidaki-Aldous for the Secretary's International Women of
Courage award for 2007. Per instructions from reftel, our
justification along with her biographic and contact details
are as follows:

NAME: ELEFTHERIA A. BERNIDAKI-ALDOUS
TITLE: Member of Parliament
INSTITUTION: Parliament of the Republic of Greece
DATE OF BIRTH: Approximately 50 years of age
CONTACT INFORMATION: 4 Voulis Street, Athens, 10562, Greece
TELEPHONE: (30)-210-370-6602 or (30)-210-324-0117
E-MAIL: e.bernidaki-aldous@parliament.gr

Post's Officer handling women's issues is PolOff Kirsten
Bauman who can be contacted at BaumanKS@state.gov or at
(30)-210-720-2382. For more information on Post's nominee,
contact, Human Rights Officer Patrick Connell at
ConnellPD@state.gov or at (30)-210-720-2551.


JUSTIFICATION:


2. Eleftheria A. Bernidaki-Aldous was born and raised on the
island of Crete. Despite losing her eyesight at the age of
three as a result of an accident, she has never slowed in her
efforts to bring dignity and equality to the disabled of
Greece and beyond. As a nationwide (i.e., at-large) member
of a male-dominated parliament, Prof. Bernidaki-Aldous is a
member of the Special Standing Committee on Equality and
Human Rights. She serves as the Chair of the Special Standing
Committee on Issues Concerning the Handicapped and sits on
the Standing Committee on Cultural and Educational Affairs.
She is a tireless advocate in parliament for the rights of
the disabled and an inspiration to young women throughout
Greece.


3. Prior to joining parliament in 2004, Bernidaki-Aldous was
a Professor of Classics at the American College of Greece
(Deree College),for 12 years, teaching classical literature
and ancient history. Before that, she spent nearly 22 years
studying and teaching in the United States, where she earned
her Ph.D. in Classics from John Hopkins University. Her
dissertation on Sophocles resulted in her highly acclaimed
book, "Blindness in a Culture of Light."


4. Since taking up her role as a member of parliament,
Bernidaki-Aldous' top priority has been to end prejudice
against the disabled. In speeches and writings, she has
focused on attitudes toward the handicapped. She regularly
compares ancient Greek thought to modern U.S. practice with
particular emphasis on the 1990 Americans with Disabilities
Act. In December, she approached Embassy Athens to describe
her intent to seek to hold in Athens in 2007 a world-wide
conference (under an EU umbrella) on the latest legislative
vehicles for promoting physical access and job equality for
disabled persons. Embassy will seek to assist her within our
capabilities. She is also active in promoting anti-drug
education for Greek youth, and recently participated in the
American Community School of Athens week long "No to Drugs"
event.


5. Through her quiet determination and commitment to
Excellence, and through her example to all disabled persons -
particularly to women with disabilities in male dominated
Societies - Prof. Bernidaki-Aldous continues to inspire and
bring hope to the disenfranchised. For these reasons,
Embassy Athens recommends her as a candidate for the
Secretary's 2007 International Women of Courage award.

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