TheLeader VOLUME XXVI ISSUE1 Winter2025 - Flipbook - Page 23
G R A N T S
Girl Delegates Isabella Kerris (NJ), Markella Nacopoulos (PA),
Eve Feles (MI), Lia Solomon (FL), Anna Counelis (CA), Maria
Kaltsidis (NJ), Demetra Chudley (NY), Josephine Andonellis (CT),
Zoe Temple (OK), Eva Raffaele (NY), Irene Zografos (NY), and
Nikoletta Flegas (TX) outside the United Nations in March 2024
during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women.
AT
W O R K
The program, established in 2022 with the blessing and
support of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of
America, has expanded in this last year, with funding from the
Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, to
become a national program with twenty-four delegates from
all over the United States, including Oklahoma, Texas, Utah,
Michigan, Florida, and Colorado, to name a few. The GOA is
the only faith group represented at the United Nations in this
way and was first started and is still managed by Niki Devaris
Morgulis as part of the Department of inter-Orthodox,
Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations’ mission.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Girl Delegate Program
exemplifies the Church’s commitment to
nurturing the next generation of leaders. By
The impact of the Girl Delegate Program
investing in the education and empowerment
extends beyond the individual participants.
of young women, the program not only
As the girls return to their communities,
strengthens the Church community but also
they bring with them newfound confidence
contributes to the broader dialogue on global
and a commitment to service. Many
issues. As these young girl delegates advocate
delegates become involved in local
for their faith and values at the United Nations,
initiatives, leading projects that address
they embody the spirit of servant leadership
social issues and inspire their peers to
that is at the heart of the Orthodox Christian
engage in civic responsibility. After her
tradition.
involvement with environmental advocacy Girl Delegates at an official side
event at UNHQ during CSW68.
through the program, Girl Delegate
In an era where young voices are crucial to
Demetra Chudley of The Archdiocesan
shaping a more just and equitable world, the Girl Delegate
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, a founding
Program stands as a testament to the power of youth
member of the Girl Delegate Program, returned to her
engagement. It serves as a catalyst for other faith communities
home parish and introduced a Green GOYA initiative, to
to invest in similar initiatives, ensuring that girls have the
educate her fellow GOYAns on sustainable practices, which
platform to share their insights and champion the causes that
align with their Orthodox faith, and put those teachings
matter to them. As His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
into practice. Although currently a freshman at
told the delegates in March 2024: “Your enthusiastic
Georgetown University, Demetra is still working on the
participation
in advocacy work at the UN exemplifies the
Green GOYA initiative and is inspiring her peers to practice
teachings of our church. We are proud to have you represent
environmental stewardship. Another girl delegate, Noel
not only your Greek Orthodox sisters at this pinnacle of
Demetrio of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in
international collaboration at the United Nations, but all
Chicago, IL, was honored as a Girl Leading Change at the
Greek Orthodox faithful.”
White House, not only for her work as a Girl Delegate, but
also for a program she began in her local
community, Project Xenia, which aims to
educate students about displacement and
show how they can support and welcome
refugees into their community, as well as
fund scholarships for Ukrainian refugee
children in her area. The girls’ experiences
at the UN through this program, foster a
Girl Delegates Grace Demacopoulos (NY), Lia Solomon (FL), Markella Nacopoulos (PA),
sense of agency, empowering them to be
Georgeena Gonedes (NJ), Demetra Chudley (NY), Isabella Kerris (NJ), Mia Kambouris (UT),
voices of change in their congregations and Irene Zografos (NY), Nikoletta Flegas (TX), Georgia Yatrakis (CO), Maryn Wise (TX), Eleni
Parasirakis (MA), and Zoe and Eleni Temple (OK) at the 2024 International Day of the Girl
beyond.
townhall.
21
