Kalliroi Siganou-Parren
Kalliroi Siganou-Parren was born in 1859 into a wealthy family and graduated form the Arsakeio School with full marks. She married Jean Parren, a journalist who founded the Athenian news agency
of which he was the leader for many years.
Kalliroi Parren was the first in Greece to introduce the feminist principles, which had already shown up in Europe. As she thought that she could not achieve her purpose through scattered articles in already existing newspapers, she founded her own weekly
"Women's Newspaper", which she edited until 1918 when she was exiled to the island of Hydra because of her political views.
Kalliroi Parren was the first in Greece to introduce the feminist principles, which had already shown up in Europe. As she thought that she could not achieve her purpose through scattered articles in already existing newspapers, she founded her own weekly
"Women's Newspaper", which she edited until 1918 when she was exiled to the island of Hydra because of her political views.
The first issue was edited on March 8th 1887 and was almost snapped up, as 7000 copies were sold in a few hours in a capital of then 65000 inhabitants. Understandably she was met by a strong opposition from the editors of other newspapers, who attacked
her in every possible way and called her "the anarchist".
her in every possible way and called her "the anarchist".
Kalliroi Parren also participated in many international women's conferences, which inspired her to found various organizations.
In 1911 she founded the still working "Lykeio ton Ellinidon" (Upper Secondary School for Greek Women) with its declared aim to liberate women through systematic education. The school later evolved into an organization for women. It has opened branches all over Greece (and even abroad) trying to preserve and promote the Greek traditions (Greek customs, clothing, folk dancing, songs, handicraft etc.). The school received a prize from the Academy of
Athens in 1939 for its great work, and furthermore it won first prize at the third World Festival of Folk Dancing in Mallorca in 1989.
Kalliroi Parren tried to influence politicians to give women the right to study at the higher educational establishments. She achieved her purpose in 1895, when the first female student was enrolled as medical student at the university. Unfortunately as was mentioned before, the student was exposed to harassments to such a degree that she committed suicide.
In 1911 she founded the still working "Lykeio ton Ellinidon" (Upper Secondary School for Greek Women) with its declared aim to liberate women through systematic education. The school later evolved into an organization for women. It has opened branches all over Greece (and even abroad) trying to preserve and promote the Greek traditions (Greek customs, clothing, folk dancing, songs, handicraft etc.). The school received a prize from the Academy of
Athens in 1939 for its great work, and furthermore it won first prize at the third World Festival of Folk Dancing in Mallorca in 1989.
Kalliroi Parren tried to influence politicians to give women the right to study at the higher educational establishments. She achieved her purpose in 1895, when the first female student was enrolled as medical student at the university. Unfortunately as was mentioned before, the student was exposed to harassments to such a degree that she committed suicide.
This tragic event caused Parren to carry on her work for recognition of women's rights. She now demanded votes for women. This did not however become a reality until 1924, and only for women of more than 30 years who were able to read and write as mentioned earlier.
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