International Women’s Day 2021: The Power of Speaking Up

Women should speak up, not just today, but every day and the world ought to listen. For this year’s International Women’s Day, we decided to interview the women of Athens Walking Tours about what March the 8th means to them. Despoina, Alexandra, and Vicky share their views with us, and we listen.

Despoina speaking: The woman and the important roles she performs, the mother, the wife, the hostess of the house, the pillar of every home should be celebrated each and every day. However, a special day dedicated to all women is a strong reminder for the ruler queen of society. The woman I admire is the anonymous mother, the working woman, the tireless, the fighter who strives to support everyone and everything.

Despoina Savvidou is the CoFounder of the Athens Walking Tours and a licensed Tour Guide!

Alexandra speaking: The 8th of March is a day of appreciation, as well as of evaluation; appreciation for all those women who at difficult times had to fight for the civil rights and freedoms we today take for granted. Evaluation of their struggle, the difficulties they faced, and the contribution of all women, in general, to humanity. Unfortunately, the struggle is not yet over, in Greece as well as globally. We still have to fight certain anachronistic customs and eliminate patriarchal doctrines that are deeply rooted in society for centuries. It is difficult to choose only one woman to admire over others when history is full of brave female scientists, pioneers, researchers, inventors. It would be unfair to mention just one, or a few. I believe that every single woman, mother, sister, worker, is a heroine worthy of respect and imitation.

Alexandra Leontaritou is the Head of Operations of Athens Walking Tours.

Vicky speaking: Women's Day is a reminder of women's struggles and sacrifices for the right to equality. The woman I admire most is Cleopatra VII, the last Ptolemaic queen of Egypt, whom although a queen, I dare to call an early feminist. A dynamic and educated woman who lived intensely, she cared deeply for her people and became a legend.