Dedicated Generation Of Global Women Change-Makers

It’s not the first year (and it won’t be the last), but 2018 was an exciting year for women all over the world as women continued to make history and shatter glass ceilings. We are proud and honored to be a part of such a passionate and dedicated generation of global change-makers.

Throughout history and across cultures, women and girls have faced innumerable challenges and injustices. We’re taking a moment to recognize Elena Maroulleti who overcame adversity, broke through barriers, and changed the world communications barriers through journalism.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ELENA MAROULLETI

Elena Maroulleti, is a woman of exceptional achievements and dedication, with a career spanning diverse fields of service. Born in Cyprus, she embarked on an inspiring journey that led her to become an influential figure as a journalist and founder of the second online Internet Radio to emerge in the world. Here are some remarkable facets of her life that you might not be aware of:

Elena Maroulleti is a Greek Cypriot American independent journalist/reporter who has previously worked for ABC News in support of the network’s World News Tonight, Nightline, 20/20 and Good Morning America news programs.

She is the first Greek Cypriot American to introduce internet radio and the second in the world to introduce online Internet Radio Station streaming 24/7 called AKTINA FM

She is also the first to introduce the only English-language Greek American Television program called AKTINA TV.

She studied Administration at the London College of Secretaries in the United Kingdom and thereafter in the United States, Journalism, TV/Radio Production, Advertising and Promotion, at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York through a scholarship from her employer ABC (American Broadcasting Companies). Furthermore, she has independently studied and extensively and researched the Greek and Cypriot folklore and culture.

Shortly after immigrating to America and settling in Astoria, New York, Ms. Maroulleti co-founded and established the first Greek Cypriot Folk Dancing Group in America, later known as Greek Cultural & Folk Dancing Group “The Vraka.” By 1982, under her leadership, “The Vraka” folk dancing group grew and expanded into a complete Cultural organization with non-profit and tax-exempt status featuring diverse folk arts departments, including ancient Greek theatre among other. In 1990, the organization was officially renamed CYPRECO of America, Inc. Since then, CYPRECO has grown to become a leading and multi-awarded cultural organization with notable contributions and activities.

In 1993 she also founded and established AKTINA Productions, Inc., also a multi-awarded non-profit and tax-exempt Media and Arts Cultural organization promoting the cultures of Greece and Cyprus through radio, television and live performances.  AKTINA Productions, Inc., also owns and operates AKTINA FM and AKTINA TV.

Ms. Maroulleti began her professional working career in administration at the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA-CREF) and thereafter in 1979 at the American Broadcasting Companies (ABC).

Her professional career in TV news broadcasting and production began in 1981 when she joined the ABC News division where she held positions in support of the production of the Network’s acclaimed news programs, World News Tonight, Nightline, 20/20 and Good Morning America among others.

Over the years, Ms. Maroulleti has been honored with Proclamations, Citations and Congressional Records by the local, state and federal governments of the U.S.A for her productive volunteer work which promotes and preserves the Greek and Cypriot cultures in America and in particular in the Tri-State area of New York. For her 25 years of service of providing AKTINA FM, on April 11, 2018 Ms. Maroulleti was honored with a Proclamation during a special ceremony at the NYC Council Chambers initiated by Council Member Costa Constantinides (D) in the presence of NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Public Advocate Letitia James and the entire body of the NYC Council. The Proclamation which outlines Ms. Maroulleti’s biographical history, recognizes and celebrates her “important” volunteer contributions and achievements.

How She Remove the language Barrier

Online Findings show that her deep love and passion for Cyprus and Greece has been her driving force! But more importantly, her never ending mission of bringing awareness about the ongoing tragedy that took place in Cyprus back in 1974 when Turkey invaded and took over some 37% of its northern part which is still under illegal occupation.” She comes from the northern occupied part and she was there in 1974 and has endured the horrors of the invasion and the takeover of her beloved hometown Famagusta. Coming to America, she realized that Americans hardly knew where Cyprus is, or even that it suffered an invasion and occupation, so she made it her mission to educate them. Initially, with live performances focusing on the culture and history of Cyprus and thereafter with the establishment of AKTINA FM and then later AKTINA TV.”

Over the years, so many generations of Greek and Greek Cypriot Americans and New Yorkers alike grew up listening to AKTINA FM. She made it easily accessible by removing the language barrier and broadcasting mainly in English and with a unique bilingual format (English-Greek). Greek American listeners whose first language is English, the bilingual format not only helps them but also their children to keep up with the Greek language.”

In a published interview with the New York times, she was asked about the many challenges she has faced over the years, especially for the fact that she is a woman in “a man’s world,” and what would be her advice to anyone and especially to young women who wish to embark on a similar journey, Ms. Maroulleti said, “work hard and be determined, stand on your own two feet and do not depend on others and never start a task if you cannot complete it yourself. But more importantly, love with passion what you have started and what you are seeking to achieve and never allow the many challenges and obstacles that arise along the way to put you down, instead, use them as means to even work harder to achieve your goal!”