Women of Lesvos island, Greece
During the last years the cooperative spirit in Lesvos has
been developed at a fast rate. The initiative had been taken from women all over the
island. At first the motives were personal. It was an outlet for the energetic and
talented women, who had been harassed. They wanted to be occupied with something creative
and at the same time they could invade the world of business.
In the past, housekeeping
was the main occupation of most women. Thus by the creation of cooperatives they had the
opportunity, as they say, to be out of the house and to cooperate as a team with the same
aim. The idea was good. These women could do well and they were able to express their
talents in a broader perspective than only at home. Beside the occupation they had, they
started, step by step, to see even financial benefits.
At this moment, in the two big
islands of the prefecture of Lesvos (Lesvos and Lemnos that is), there are six
cooperatives of women. They are occupied with a variety of projects (from tourism to
preparation of traditional sweets). To understand the activities of cooperatives, it would
be better to see each one separately.
COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN IN AGIASOS OF LESVOS:
It has been founded in 1998. The cooperation counts 85
members who prepare sweets, liqueur, pastas, home-made noodles, salted vine leaves
and also hand made embroideries. The investment for the first materials purchase is
one of the main cooperatives problems. Women try hard to find financial resources to
get a workshop. The President of the cooperative is Mrs. Tsoukarelli Xrisoula.
COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN IN ASOMATOS OF LESVOS:
It has been recently founded in April 1999 and has 31
women. The cooperative prepares sweets, concoction of honey and sesame, baskets,
pastas, salted vine leaves, olives (green-black), scented plants and embroideries.
Their products are sold in specialist shops. President of the cooperative is Mrs.
Pitsa
Helen.
COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN IN MESOTOPOS:
It has been founded in 1998 and counts 36 members. The women are occupied with the preparation of sweets, jams
etc. that can be bought at their specialist shop in Mesotopos.
.
COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN IN MOLIVOS OF LESVOS:
It has been founded in 2003 and counts 9
members. The women are occupied with the preparation of sweets, jams
etc. that can be bought at their specialist shop just outside of the
town Molivos, on the way to Eftalou.
COOPERATIVE
OF WOMEN IN PETRA OF LESVOS:
It has been founded in 1983 and it is the first cooperative
of women in Greece. At this moment it has 54 members who are renting out rooms for
visitors. They offer home-made breakfast to their tenants and have their own traditional
food restaurant. The women also arrange excursions around the island showing tourists the
Greek civilization. Chairman of the cooperative is Mrs. Xiotou Helen.
COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN IN PARAKILA:
It has been founded in 2001 and counts 11 members. The women are occupied with the preparation of sweets, jams
etc. that can be bought at their specialist shop in Parakila.
COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN IN POLINCHITOS OF LESVOS:
It has been founded in 1997 and counts 30 members from who
15 are active. The women are occupied with the preparation of sweets, jams and liqueur and
also make icons from old wooden and embroideries. At their specialist shop one can buy
scented plants, olives, herbs and salted vine leaves.
GREEKnet.com
- Lesvos island Travel Portal | By I.E.Mavridis@EURObitWEBs
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