Celebrate the Female Spirit
As I reflect on my life experiences, observe and listen throughout my daily agenda, I feel the powerful impact women have made all over the world.
People often ask me: Who is your greatest mentor? Unequivocally, my answer is “my mother”. Her name: Vasiliki Panayi Camelaris Vasiloudes! Synonymous with love, power, empathy, devotion, foresight!
My mother has been a chief mentor to me in every aspect of my life, from teaching me how to laugh, possess empathy, and work hard with honor, integrity and perseverance. She educated me on the importance of maintaining balance in one’s life, and more importantly how to find that critical equilibrium between work and family. She showed me how to nurture relationships, care for people and strive to make a real difference in my life and this world. My mother is my greatest mentor!
People ask me again: Who is your greatest partner? Unequivocally, my answer is my wife! Her name: Eleni Carol Margaritopoulos Vasiloudes. Helen is synonymous with love, force, care, compassion, honesty, intuition, imagination. Helen is a great mother and partner, raising four children to make a positive difference to the world.
You can see, my mother and my wife, share more than just a series of long names; all sounding Greek to you and me!
Today, I watch in admiration as women in leadership positions are making tremendous impact globally, by leading with discipline, passion, integrity, love, pride and honor. The more I reflect, I cannot think of any war that was initiated by a woman. I don’t recall any major conflict or acrimonious relationship provoked or promoted by a woman. This is no coincidence; rather it is an attribution to the essence of the female spirit.
At Academic Alliance in Dermatology, we lead for women and led by women. As we celebrate International Women’s Day here at AAD, I am honored to highlight the role women play in our lives and showcase what AAD can do for women and vice versa.
Please join me in applauding all the efforts led by women in every corner of the world, the tireless work done by women to raise children, to care for their families, communities, society, and promote a peaceful world that starts right from the beginning; at birth, with selfless nurturing by all the women surrounding us: mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, to raise the next generation to lead us to a better place.
Furthermore, let us recognize the leadership and power than women bring to the workplace. Diversity makes every organization stronger by evoking new, pioneering ideas and unique perspectives.
The power of the female presence brings balance, synergy, love and peace to warm our hearts, shine light in our minds and hope in our dreams.
With all respect to the female spirit!
Dr. Panos Vasiloudes, MD, PhD, FAAD, FAAP, FASMS
Founder, President & CEO
Academic Alliance in Dermatology.
