On the occasion of International Women's Day, we organized a meeting bringing into focus real experiences from women who have turned difficulties into consistency, goal and action
The event "Stories That Changed the Way Forward" was an experiential discussion about strength, motherhood, resilience and what it means to move forward, even in adverse conditions. Their stories were told by Katerina Bofiliou together with her mother Georgia Bandouna and Anastasia Pyrgioti, while the discussion was moderated by Melina Taprantzi, founder of Wise Greece, a social enterprise with international recognition.
Paths that inspire us
Katerina Bofiliou and her mother, Georgia Bandouna, shared their journey, built with time, care, and unwavering dedication. From birth and early school years to Katerina's graduation from the Medical School of the University of Athens in 2025, their narrative highlighted what it means to persevere in your goal with daily effort and faith in yourself. Katerina was born with cerebral palsy, as a result of perinatal hypoxia followed by an ischemic attack, but its course proves how discipline and consistency can lead to the achievement of any demanding goal.
An equally important perspective was brought by Anastasia Pyrgioti, Clinical Psychologist (MSc) and boccia athlete, with a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Her own experience sheds light on the real demands of everyday life for people with mobility disabilities in Greece, from the barriers to access to the invisible effort for continuous adaptation. As she emphasized, mental preparation, knowledge of rights and a consistent attitude towards any form of exclusion are necessary conditions for a dignified life and autonomy.
Commitment in practice
For us, Women's Day is not just a date, but a reminder of the responsibility of all of us: to actively support women, to recognize different starting points, inequalities and difficulties, to create environments where every woman can evolve, be heard and move forward with dignity. This event was a collective moment of respect and empowerment with stories that prove what it means to open new paths for yourself and your fellow human beings.
