135th Lecture Series

Olympia Dukakis inaugurates ACG’s 135th Anniversary Lecture Series

Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis inaugurated the 135th Anniversary Lecture Series at The American College of Greece with a moving lecture titled “A Woman’s Story: a conversation with Olympia Dukakis.”

The lecture was delivered to an overflow audience of over 350 people at the College’s John S. Bailey Library. In addition to many alumni of the College, noted actors, directors, film and theater critics came to hear one of the most accomplished actors of her generation.

With both humor and emotion, Dukakis spoke of her experiences as the child of Greek immigrants growing up in multiethnic Lowell, Massachusetts, as well as of her experiences as a working mother living and working in a male-dominated society.

The lecture was followed by a vigorous and lively session where Ms. Dukakis replied to questions from the audience.

Dukakis, who received an Oscar for her role in the 1986 film Moonstruck, was introduced by fellow actor and Greek parliamentarian Yiannis Vouros, who extolled Dukakis’ contribution to theater and film.

In his opening remarks, President David G. Horner of The American College of Greece said that Dukakis’ “personal story as a woman of extraordinary achievement not only glitters with celebrity but also reveals Olympia Dukakis as a person of principle and passion committed, as were [The American College of Greece’s] founders, to making a difference in the world.”