The Pacific Pulse

Marina Moustakas:
A True Woman of the Greek Diaspora

SAN JOSE (CA).- Anyone who has ever met Marina will tell you she makes a memorable impression, not only because she radiates strength and confidence, but also because of her passion and dedication to keeping Hellenism alive. When you meet Marina you know she is a very special woman and now after years of hard work and dedication, she has earned an amazing honor, as one of the Women of the Greek Diaspora.

By Andrea Photopoulos

For the past three years the Prefecture of Thessaloniki in cooperation with the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) have chosen seven distinguished women to honor as women who are admired for their passion to preserve Hellenism, Women of the Greek Diaspora. The event took place at Porto Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki, Greece, earlier this year. Marina Moustakas from San Jose, California, was chosen to be honored from the region of the United States of America. Unfortunately, she could not accept the award in person due to health reasons, but was able to send a video thanking the organizers for the special honor. In her acceptance speech Marina emphasized the magnitude of responsibility of all the Greeks of Diaspora, in Preserving and Perpetuating the Hellenic Heritage.

A woman of many dreams and visions, Marina was born in Kozani, Greece, and ended up in the United States at the University of Oregon on a scholarship through Fullbright Institute to study Sociology. While studying in Oregon, Marina met her husband, Evangelos and soon after graduation they moved to sunny California for an amazing career opportunity for him to teach at San Jose State University as a Professor in Electrical Engineering.

Over the years Marina has been very much involved with the Greek community in San Jose and the greater Bay area of California. Among Marina's many accomplishments are starting and directing the St. Nicholas Hellenic School and the Greek Dance groups, being a co-founder of the Greek Culture and Food Festival of San Jose and producing and hosting an ethnic television show, which aired from local TV stations in San Francisco. She is an active member of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, the St. Anna Philoptochos Society and the Golden Years of the St. Nicholas Church, a member of the Daughters of Penelope, SAE and the Pan-Macedonian, Association, USA, of which she is Governor of the Pacific States. She is also seated on the Greek Education and Culture Committee of the Metropolis of San Francisco. Most importantly Marina is the founder and CEO of the Hellenic Heritage Institute in San Jose.

The Hellenic Heritage Institute founded in 1999, (www.hhisj.org) was one of Marina's many visions for Hellenism preservation. The museum is located in History Park in San Jose, a whirlwind back in time with a mini-city of historical buildings, antiques, historical Victorian homes turned museums, a historical fire house, and even a train. Inside the museum are folk dance costumes, books, pictures, home decor, and other Greek treasurers all personal donations from local Greeks in the community. The Hellenic Heritage Institute also offers a number of classes from cooking to language. Definitely a site to see as one of the only Greek museums on the West Coast.

From starting Greek dance groups to being founder and CEO of the Hellenic Heritage Institute, Marina has done it all and is still doing. Like the energizer bunny, she keeps going and going completely saturating herself into the preservation of Hellenism. She will not stop until her ultimate dream of creating an authentic Greek village, the next best thing to visiting Greece has been achieved. Women such as Marina should all be recognized and applauded for their work, a true Woman of the Greek Diaspora.

©2010 NEOCORP MEDIA

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