VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTH #0343 0461713
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 151713Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8145
INFO RUCNMEU/EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

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. 
 
SIPDIS 
RIES