Yvette Jarvis

Yvette Jarvis, a 1979 magna cum laude graduate of Boston University, came to Greece in 1982 as an accomplished basketball player, to play for Panathinaikos. She became the first African American to play in the Greek Women's Basketball League, while also being the first salaried female athlete in the league.

She is the first African-American elected to public office in Greece in October 2002. An elected city councilwoman in Athens, Jarvis is a former professional athlete, model and actress. She is also a strong supporter of human rights, those particularly of Greece's women, children, immigrants, and the disabled. One of Jarvis' political accomplishments includes the establishment of a national toll free hotline for victims of domestic violence in April 2003. She is presently the coordinator for the "Obama for President - Greece" organization for US expats in Greece.

Sources

Carson, Peter. (2004, August 16). "American Aphrodite." Retrieved June 5, 2007, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3846-2004Aug15.html.

Carroll, Denolyn. (2003, March). "You go! Yvette Jarvis - now! - African American woman elected to Athens, Greece city council - Brief Article" In Essence. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_11_33/ai_98370870.

"Yvette Jarvis: A Citizen of the World." (2005, December). In Boston University's Alumni e-Newsletter. Retrieved June 5, 2007, from http://www.bu.edu/alumni/buforward/archives/Dec_2005/articles/jarvis.html

"Yvette Jarvis to join PASOK ticket for Athens municipal polls." (2002, May 11). In Athens News Agency. Retrieved June 5, 2007 from http://www.greekembassy.org/Embassy/content/en/Article.aspx?office=5&folder=337&article=10208

"Yvette Jarvis' website in Greek." Retrieved June 5, 2007, from http://www.yvettejarvis.gr/interviews/anamericanathena/

"Yvette Jarvis' website in English" Retrieved June 5, 2007, from http://www.yvettemjarvis.com/aboutymj_eng.html