You, and the 2011 Gabby Awards
June 24, 2011
We have been overwhelmed by the response to the 2011 Gabby Awards and wanted to share some stories we’ve received, as well as some of the feedback people shared with us via email, Facebook, Twitter and other forms of expression.
The most striking responses we received were from mothers who attended the Gabby Awards with their children. It was truly heartwarming to see the multigenerational reactions. According to Gregory Pappas, the Greek America Foundation’s founder, “This was the success of the Gabby Awards—that in a single room, attending the same event, a yiayia, a mom and her daughters—all sitting in the same room, all watching the same program, all listening to the same speakers—were touched and moved, and inspired.”
From the Geroulis Family of Chicago, a photographic memento was emailed to our offices (above) with the following note:
Superlative is the only word which can express the majesty of the Gabbys. Perfectly calibrated, flawlessly choreographed and powerfully resonant, every touchstone was beautiful.
For me, the emotional power of those young actors on board our boats to Ellis Island was the absolute highlight of the weekend. The resonance of remembrance was positively palpable. I remain indebted to you on a deep personal level. I attach the photo of me at the wall where I found my mother's name.
I was moved to tears all evening. I want you to know that there is a tribe of Vorio Epirotans in Chicago who spent an entire evening breathlessly listening to our New York stories. With tears and laughter and in hushed, exquisite tones, my mother relived the drama of her crossing with her children and grandchildren last night. It was one of the most meaningful moments of my life as her daughter. So I thank you most ardently for your courage and vision in crafting this homage to our ancestry.
Words alone cannot adequately capture the essence of our experience, so I lean on Pericles. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."
You've left an indelible mark of honor and pride on all Greeks, of all tribes, all across America. Mε ευγνωμοσύνη και υπερηφάνεια, σας ευχαριστούμε.
The Geroulis Tribe
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Dena Haritos Tsamitis, a senior administrator from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh brought her teenaged daughters to the Gabby Awards weekend and also had a similar experience: “When I asked my daughters about how they felt after attending the event, they said, ‘inspired and proud’. Mission accomplished, Greek America Foundation, from a very happy mother.”
She continued on an enthusiastic post on our Facebook page: “They've been fortunate to have traveled many times to Greece and experience the beauty of the country, the culture and its history, but this experience exposed them to the amazing spirit of Greek Americans, both past and present.”
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Finally, from Connie Varvitsiotis in Chicago, we received heartfelt appreciation of our efforts that brought a wonderful sense of satisfaction to all of the people who worked so hard for the success of the weekend:
“Congratulations on a weekend that was nothing short of spectacular. The Gabbys were the crown jewel. I'm sure it's been reiterated over and over on what a moving emotional journey you took us on--but it's worth repeating.
There's no doubt, that that evening we invoked the spirits of all of our ancestors that stood nervously and anxiously in that hall at Ellis Island, not knowing what they would encounter and how they would survive-- knowing only that failure was never an option, because there was a next generation. And that night, they were once again in that room. Only this time, peaceful and rejoicing… vindicated that it wasn't all in vain, recognizing that the Greek spirit is eternal and it should always have a platform from which to be celebrated and honored. They saw the future celebrating the sacrifices of the past and it all came full circle.
Maya Angelou once said--people will forget what you say and they will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel. That's what you guys have accomplished so well. Making us all feel--connected, united,moved and proud. Bravo sas kai pali, kai eis anotera!
