Farewell to a Diplomat: Dr. Catherine Boura

Nancy Biska, mistress of ceremonies at a packed Mezzo Mezzo Restaurant dinner.

She is a person with a classical Greek profile. Low key, pleasant, without meanness in her soul, this diplomat was "a servant of the people". The intellectual, who has a Ph.D. on areas focusing on Asia Minor and the Middle East, mingles with the powerful, rich, middle class, all nationalities with ease. Her warmth made her four years as Consul General of Greece to the United States unforgettable. One always felt welcome at the Greek consulate in Manhattan. This is the legacy of one of the great women of our generation: Dr. Catherine Boura.

On Tuesday evening, November

27, an elegant dinner was held in

Boura's honor at Mezzo Mezzo located at 31-29 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria. More than 100 prominent Greek- American women attended to raise a scholarship fund in the diplomat's name. Aphrodite Daniels, multi-talented with a unique singing voice, entertained all non-stop throughout the evening with live musical entertainment. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Nancy Biska, leading international journalist/Internet Web master, who is governor of the Pan Macedonian Association for the District of New York and New Jersey.

Dr. Catherine Boura (3rd from l.) with Eleni Daniels, Eleni Hatzis, Thomai Liambes, Vassiliki "Girleza" Lambiris, Vivian Vescovacci and Markella Neofytides.

Representatives of five dynamic organizations organized the event that raised more than $3,000 in scholarships that will be presented to His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios. The awards will be given to outstanding scholars of the Greek-American community on the "Greek Letters Day Celebration" at the end of January 2008. These organizations and their representatives included: Pan Macedonian Studies Center, Markella Neofytides; Athenian Association of New York, Christina Kostakis; The Thessaloniki Society, Koula Moscokarfis; Pan Greek American Educators Federation, Stella Kokolis; and Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE).

"I was honored to be here representing the Languages and Literatures Department of St. John's University," said Vivian Vescovacci, administrator to Chairman Dr. Nicolas Toscano. Both persons are the prime forces in keeping Modern Greek language alive. "You take a part of our heart with you," said Athena Kromidas, principal of the William Spyropoulos School, Flushing.

Dr. Catherine Boura (5th from l.), thanking the audience as Athena Kromidas, Helen Lydakis, Georgia Kaloidis, Koula Moscokarfis, Markella Neofytides and Christina Kostakis listen.

"I was a lucky Consul General," said Boura. "I had a great staff that worked with me to help all in their interests. We formed a strong bond between the Greek government and the community of New York. We are all women who play a crucial role in perpetuating the family, education and Hellenism. Women have worked behind the scenes in the war effort of our history. Education is important and supports the next generation, making them distinctive. Greek language is becoming an accepted international means of communication in the Balkans. Modern Greek is considered a major language of the European Union. We must transmit it to our children. I will hold an image of you in my soul. When I return to New York City, I will remember and meet with you to share mutual experiences."

Biska and SAE must be congratulated for supporting exceptional events for the past three years that integrate Hellenism into the American consciousness.

- Catherine Tsounis