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Hellenic American Womens Council

The Hellenic American Women's Council empowers Greek American women through cultural, educational, and community initiatives, fostering connections and promoting Hellenic heritage across generations in the United States.

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1785011600/wysiwyg/j68rwwe8cvl2mu7l9dj9.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">The Hellenic American Women&#39;s Council (HAWC) and the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI) warmly invite you to join us for a special evening celebrating the enduring legacy of ancient Greece through art, history, and literature. &nbsp; An Evening at the Art Institute of ChicagoThursday, August 27 5:00pm A Journey Through the Art of Ancient GreeceThe evening begins at 5:00 p.m. with a community gathering at the Art Institute of Chicago. Participants are encouraged to meet at the museum&#39;s main entrance at 5:00 p.m. or, if arriving later, proceed directly to the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art, where members of HPSI and HAWC Great Lakes will be touring together.&nbsp; The group tour will be led by Dr. Karen Ros, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Dr. Karen Ros earned her A.M. and Ph.D. in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Michigan and her A.B. in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology from Bryn Mawr College. She has participated in archaeological excavations throughout Greece, Italy, and Tunisia and regularly teaches courses on Greek and Roman art and archaeology. Dr. Ros is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago. Together, participants will explore one of the finest collections of ancient Mediterranean art in the Midwest, including:<ul fr-original-style="text-align: left;" style="text-align: left; box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Early Greek pottery, marble sculpture, and bronze works</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Roman portrait sculpture, carved gemstones, ancient glass, and decorative arts</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Byzantine mosaics, icons, goldwork, and religious treasures that trace the continuation of Hellenic culture through the Eastern Roman Empire</li></ul>The galleries provide a fitting introduction to Homer&#39;s Odyssey, allowing visitors to experience the artistic traditions that shaped one of the greatest literary works in history.&nbsp; This informal tour is an opportunity to reconnect with the artistic world that inspired Homer and shaped Western civilization. &nbsp; 6:00pm Featured Art Institute PresentationAt 6:00 p.m., attendees will proceed together to the Rubloff Auditorium, where seating has been reserved so members of HPSI and HAWC Great Lakes may enjoy the presentation together. Art Institute Discussion: Homer&#39;s&nbsp;Odyssey&nbsp;in Art and Popular CultureThe Odyssey,&nbsp;an Ancient Greek epic by the poet Homer, recounts the story of the hero Odysseus and his decade-long journey home from war. Three thousand years later, the tale continues to inspire artists, authors, playwrights, and filmmakers around the world. We will join Dr. Lisa Ayla &Ccedil;akmak, Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium at the Art Institute of Chicago and Ginia Shubik Sweeney, director of interpretation, as they discuss the influence of this iconic story on works from the Art Institute&rsquo;s collection and consider the ongoing resonances it has with contemporary audiences. &nbsp;The program is generously sponsored by the Boshell Family Foundation. &nbsp;Her presentation explores how Homer&#39;s Odyssey has inspired artists for centuries while examining universal themes of journey, identity, resilience, homecoming, and cultural memory that continue to resonate today. &nbsp; Lisa Ayla &Ccedil;akmak Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium, Art Institute of ChicagoDr. &Ccedil;akmak joined the Art Institute in 2020 after serving for a decade at the Saint Louis Art Museum, where she was most recently the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Associate Curator. Her scholarship focuses on the art and material culture of the ancient Mediterranean, making this a wonderful opportunity to gain new perspectives on Homer&#39;s timeless epic and its influence on art through the centuries. Ginia Shubik Seeney, director of interpretation at the Art Institute of Chicago, develops tools that connect visitors with works of art. She works closely with teams across the museum to present engaging narratives in the galleries, with the goals of sparking revelation, fostering close ties between people, and providing a tangible understanding of the past.&nbsp; Prior to joining the Art Institute in 2018, Ginia worked at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. She holds an MA from Williams College and a BA from Columbia University, both in art history.&nbsp; After 7:00pm - Continue the Conversation at Avli on the ParkFollowing the program, guests are invited to continue the evening with parea beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. at Avli on The Park Restaurant 180 N Field Blvd just north of the Art Institute. Those planning to join the gathering are welcome to park at Avli beginning at 4:45 p.m. and walk to the Art Institute. Post event, dinner and refreshments will be available for individual purchase. Note parking pass must be stamped by Avli for discounted rate and stay must not exceed four hours. Learn more about the event: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.artic.edu/events/6499/conversation-homers-odyssey-in-art-and-popular-culture" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.artic.edu/events/6499/conversation-homers-odyssey-in-art-and-popular-culture</a>Explore the Greek Collection: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.artic.edu/collection?department_titles=Arts%20of%20Greece,%20Rome,%20and%20Byzantium" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.artic.edu/collection?department_titles=Arts%20of%20Greece,%20Rome,%20and%20Byzantium</a>Whether you are passionate about Greek history, archaeology, mythology, art, or simply enjoy lifelong learning, we hope you&#39;ll join us for an inspiring evening celebrating the civilization whose stories continue to shape our world.We look forward to seeing you there!Warm regards,Hellenic American Women&#39;s Council (HAWC) &nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="//www.hawcnet.org" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.hawcnet.org</a>&nbsp; email hawcgreatlakes@gmail.com Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois (HPSI) &nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="//www.hpsi1925.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.hpsi1925.org</a>&nbsp; email hawcboard@gmail.comJoin HAWC and HPSI for an evening at the Art Institute exploring how Homer&rsquo;s Odyssey appears in art and popular culture. Together, we&rsquo;ll look at works that reflect themes of journey, identity, and home through a Hellenic lens 🎨. This program supports HAWC&rsquo;s mission to preserve Hellenic heritage and foster thoughtful dialogue across generations. Please complete the questions to confirm your attendance and help us plan a meaningful experiences for our community.

HAWC & HPSI at Art Institute: Homer’s Odyssey in Art and Popular Culture

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1780633524/wysiwyg/jio5zdu0c6gk9e0ovz4e.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">GREECE&rsquo;S MODERNISTS: Individualism, Expression &amp; Form invites you to explore how modern Greek artists reimagined identity, space, and self through bold lines and unexpected shapes. 🎨 Session I &ndash; June 20, 2026 Natalia Mela and Pepi Svoronou: Two Bold Trailblazers of Modern Greek Art &nbsp;https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/EHRipm5XTrSbTOTCvBwipw&nbsp;Session II &ndash; July 11, 2026 Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika and Yannis Tsarouchis: Two Modernist Masters of Form and Expression &nbsp;https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BrdYGB_SQ0ehGxV36dCxUQ By completing this form, you confirm your participation and help HAWC honor Hellenic heritage through thoughtful dialogue, art, and leadership in our community. Your details ensure we can welcome you, share updates, and curate a meaningful experience rooted in culture and contemporary expression. &nbsp;You will be receiving a separate Zoom link once you complete zoom registration which we are offering the opportunity to thank our speaker with an optional donation. &nbsp; &nbsp;HAWC is a 501C3 nonprofit and any donations received will go directly to the speaker. To learn more about the Hellenic American Women&#39;s Council, please visit <a fr-original-style="" href="//hawcnet.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">hawcnet.org</a> . Thank you for your support.

GREECE’S MODERNISTS Individualism, Expression & Form

Join the Hellenic American Women&rsquo;s Council for a special farewell luncheon honoring the Consul of Greece in Chicago, Georgia Tasiopoulou as she concludes her diplomatic service and prepares for her next international assignment. Over the past several years, Consul Tasiopoulou and her husband, Emmanuel Koubarakis, the Consul General of Greece in Chicago have strengthened ties within the Greek American community through cultural, educational, and community-building initiatives that brought people together across generations. From promoting Greek film, history, and heritage to supporting community events and civic engagement, her presence has left a meaningful impact on Chicagoland Hellenism.Please join us for an afternoon of gratitude, fellowship, and celebration as we honor her service, leadership, and friendship. Hosted by: Hellenic American Women&rsquo;s Council - Great Lakes&nbsp;Date: Friday, June 26, 2026Location: Foxtail on the LakeTime: 12:00 PM &ndash; 3:00 PMWe look forward to gathering together to wish Consul Tasiopoulou continued success and happiness in her next chapter. Select your lunch item and pay for it here. We will also be serving appetizer and salad.&nbsp; If you would like to add your 2026 membership please add 75.00 in the donation option. &nbsp;Thank you, we look forward to seeing you.&nbsp;

Consul Georgia Farewell Luncheon

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1791171433/wysiwyg/n5fdoro5tzw76fxfmmhq.jpg" style="width: 750px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; max-width: 100%; position: relative; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 750px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Hellenic American Women&rsquo;s Council (HAWC) &ndash; Great Lakes is supporting efforts to increase awareness of breast cancer prevention, screening and early detection by offering an educational program to the community. As part of this initiative, HAWC will welcome Georgia Giakoumis Spear, MD, MBA, a nationally recognized breast radiologist and Chief of Breast Imaging at Northwestern Medicine, for a community presentation on October 17 at the Park Ridge Public Library - First Floor Meeting Room at 20 S. Prospect Aveune. The program, &ldquo;An Expert Guide to Screening Guidelines, Personal Risk and Early Detection,&rdquo; will give women and families an opportunity to hear directly from a leading breast-imaging specialist about current screening recommendations, individual risk factors and advances in breast imaging that can help detect breast cancer at its earliest stages. &nbsp;If you have quesitons, reach <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:hawcgreatlakes@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">hawcgreatlakes@gmail.com</a> . Please join the Hellenic American Women&#39;s Council members and friends and consider making a donation &nbsp;marked for Dr. Georgia Spear&#39;s research at <a fr-original-style="" href="//www.foundation.nm.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">www.foundation.nm.org</a> (mark other designation - and note her name in the blank). Northwestern Medicine is a nonprofit academic health system with 11 hospitals and more than 200 locations, serving patients in Chicagoland and around the world. With the help of donors like you, Northwestern Memorial Foundation supports patient-centered care from world-class physicians, leading-edge research, groundbreaking innovations and expanded access to state-of-the-art facilities for every patient. &nbsp;Or support the Hellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer, &#39;Alma Zois&#39;. Founded in 1988 by breast cancer survivors, Alma Zois is a dedicated non-profit organization in Greece that provides comprehensive psychosocial care, legal guidance, and vital resources to patients navigating the disease. Your generous contribution will directly support financially vulnerable women by subsidizing the cost of necessary comforts, such as medical-grade wigs, and ensuring they have access to the care and dignity they deserve during their treatment.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://almazois.gr/en/donate/" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://almazois.gr/en/donate/</a> Bonafide nonprofit audited by Deloitte.

Hellenic American Womens Council

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Dr. Spear: Screen, Know, Detect

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