Greek Americans in the Workplace

From Working to Preserve Our Heritage: The Incredible Legacy of Greek-American Community Services:

"After conferring with the CAP Advisory Committee and in response to the IHC’s theme of labor and the workplace, GACS proposed a series of lectures throughout the state entitled 'Greek-Americans in the Workplace 1888 – 1988.' This series featured 15 lectures throughout the state related to this theme. Each lecture was done twice, once within the city of Chicago and the second elsewhere in Illinois. These locations included Springfield, Rockford, Aurora, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Elgin, Stone Park, University Park, and Elmhurst. We had higher attendance when the programs were held immediately after a church service and when we co-sponsored with other organizations. Many of these programs were designated “Greek Heritage ’87” events. Elaine, Steve, and I wrote the proposal. 

According to the project description in the grant proposal submitted to the IHC: 'The life of the Greek pioneer immigrant is an amazing story of struggle, sorrow, and agony which ended, however, in victory and triumph. The proposed lecture series will address the struggle of the early Greek pioneers in Illinois as they labored at menial jobs in the ‘Xenitia’ (strange land). The program will explore the successes and achievements of their children and grandchildren as they became one of the best-educated and economically successful ethnic groups in America. 

The Greek traditionally has been associated with the corner coffee shop, produce wholesaler, restaurant owner, barber, or shoe repair shop owner. This program will highlight the Greek Americans’ achievements in these areas, but it will also focus on the valuable contributions they have made to Illinois in the fields of business, law, medicine, technology, and academia. Also highlighted will be their struggles to assimilate into mainstream society while at the same time maintaining a sense of identity as Greek-Americans.'

Among the lectures in this series: 

• “The Historical Development of the Greek Immigrant Work Experience in Illinois,” by Andrew Kopan, Ph.D., with comments by Stanley Rosen at the Copernicus Foundation, Chicago.
• “From Peddlers to Bankers: Greeks in American Fiction,” by Alexander Karanikas, Ph.D., at DePaul University and Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. 
• “The Greek Professional and Entrepreneur,” by Yorgos Kourvetaris, Ph.D., at DePaul University Stuart Center and Rockford College in Rockford.
• “The Greek Work Ethic,” by Yorgos Kourvetaris, Ph.D., with a response by Stanley Rosen at the Copernicus Foundation and St. Sophia Church in Elgin, IL.
• “The Greek American Woman at Work,” by Elaine Thomopoulos, Ph.D., at the Copernicus Foundation and Diplomat West in Elmhurst. Bernarda Wong, executive director of the Chinese American Service League, addressed the theme as it related to Chinese women at the Chicago program, and San L. O, program director of Southeast Asia Center, spoke of Southeast Asian women at the Elmhurst lecture.
• “The Greek Work Ethic,” by George Christakes Ph.D., with comments by Stanley Rosen at Governor’s State University in University Park, IL.
• “A Greek-American Storyteller at Work,” by Harry Mark Petrakis at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, Aurora.
• “Immigrant Academia: Greek Intellectuals in Illinois,” by Fotios Litsas, Ph.D. at the Copernicus Foundation and St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn.
• “The Greek Worker as Portrayed in Literature,” an afternoon of readings and observations by award-winning author Harry Mark Petrakis at the Copernicus Foundation.
• “Peripheral Patriots: The Network of Greeks in Antioch and Libertyville in the 1920s,” by Steve Frangos at the David Adler Cultural Center in Libertyville and Lake County Museum, Wauconda.
• “The Greek Work Ethic and Comparison with the Italian Experience,” a radio presentation by George Christakes, Ph.D., Elaine Thomopoulos, Ph.D., and Dominic Candeloro, Ph.D. WCGO-AM radio."

Top: (L-R): Dr. Andrew Kopan and Stanley Rosen speak on “The Historical Development of the Greek Immigrant Work Experience in Illinois,” at the Copernicus Foundation. March 20, 1988. John Psiharis collection.

Bottom: Dr. Alexander Karanikas speaks on April 17, 1988, during a lecture entitled, “From Peddlers to Bankers: Greeks in American Fiction,” part of the “Greek-Americans in the Workplace” series, at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL. John Psiharis collection.