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Produced through the Greek Women's University Club, this is a collection of the struggles and triumphs, the pathos and joy of five women who immigrated to the United States.
Greek women pioneers faced a difficult life when they arrived in the xenia (strange land) from the rural farms of Greece. They did not speak English, were bewildered by crowded Chicago and the alien culture, and unlike their male family, often did not have opportunity to work outside the home. Yet these brave, spirited women triumphed over adversity and embraced their adopted country to become exemplary citizens. Chronicling the stories of Georgia Bitzis Pooley, Presbytera Stella Christoulakis Petrakis, Theano Papazoglou Margaris, Venette Tomaras Askounes Ashford, and Senator Adeline J. Geo-Karis, this book showcases the life stories of immigrant pioneer women, their families, friends, and the emerging Greek-American community of Illinois.
About the author
Elaine Thomopoulos has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She is project director of GWUC's Greek-American Women of Illinois Project, and co-curator of the exhibit Greek-American Pioneer Women of Illinois, which inspired this book. She is past president of the GWUC, co-founder and administrator of Greek-American Community Services, director of social services for the Hellenic Foundation, and currently serves as an officer of the Greek-American Nursing Home Committee.
