Historically Greece had quite a patriarchal social structure.
This was particularly true in the villages. However, Greek women are anything but demure and quiet: to talk in stereotypes they are often fiery, passionate,
assertive. Perhaps the sexism creates the determination. In any case there are a number of significant women in Greek politics but the overall percentage is not very high.
This page provides information about Greek women politicians who have held ministerial office or led political parties. Politics in Greece is particularly volatile with people getting expelled, switching parties, and the parties themselves merging and splitting at a rapid pace and so this page rapidly goes out of date.
With the rise of Wikipedia the usefulness of a page like this may be in decline. My objective is to try to focus on aspects that the traditional media might miss. Note that sources (especially for the early years) sometimes disagree. Additional information on how women got the vote and began to participate (slowly) in national politics. I am not a much of a feminist but it must be said that the level of sexism these women have to endure is utterly appalling.
President of Greece
Katerina Sakellaropoulou
(b. 1956, Thessaloniki) First female president of Greece. A lawyer, was president of the Council of State, the supreme administrative court of Greece.
Elected president January 22, 2020 by parliment on a vote of 261 in favor out of 300 MPs.
(Updated 17 July 20)Pioneers
Elsa Papadimetriou
Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2004 to 2011). Former deputy chair of the Greek Parliament. Former VP of the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Mediterranean. A member of ND until June 2011. Daughter of Centre Union politician Dimitris Papadimitriou. Supposedly baby-sat future PM George Papandreou when
he was a child. (Updated 10 Nov 13)
Lina Tsaldari
(1887 - 1981), the first woman to serve as a minister. A member of National Radical Union, she was Minister for Social Welfare in 1952 (or 56-58, in other sources) and also served as
a delegate to the UN. She was both the daughter and wife of Greek prime ministers (widow of PM Panagis Tsaldaris). (Sources about her disagree on some dates.)
(Updated 17 July 20)
Eleni Skoura
(1896 - 1991) Said to be first woman elected to parliament (in 1953), but see Lina Tsaldari, above. Elected from Thessaloniki representing the party Greek Rally.
(Updated 17 July 20)
Vasso Thanasekou
Elected from Thessaloniki, representing the United Democratic Left.
(Updated 17 July 20)
Maria Svolou
Elected as a "national councilor" during partial elections in 1944. Went on to become one of the first elected women MPs in the 50s.
(Updated 25 Feb 14)
Melina Mercouri
(1920-1994) A noted actress and singer turned crusading politician. As an actress, came to international notice for her role in "Never on Sunday", winning a
Best Actress Award at Cannes. She continued to act through the 60's and 70's.
When the junta took over Greece in 1967 she began an active and international struggle against it. In retaliation the junta revoked her Greek citizenship.
Upon the return to democracy in 1974 she entered political life with PASOK. From 1981 to 89 and again from 1993 to 1994 she was Minister of Culture. She was noted for her efforts to obtain the return of the Parthenon Marbles (some in the world call them the Elgin Marbles, but that just identifies who took them, not where they belong).
Once said "To be born Greek is to be magnificently cursed."
(Updated 24 Aug 20)
Anna Synodinou
(1927 - 2016) ND MP 1974 to 1990. Actress 1954 to 62 who appeared in several Greek films and in classical theater.
Was deputy minister for social security 1977 - 81.
(Updated 17 July 20) PASOK (now Movement for Change)
Foteini (Fofi) Genimata
(b. 1964, Athens) President of PASOK since 2015. MP from Athens. President of the center-left coalition, Movement for Change. Was deputy Minister of Health
and Welfare under George Papandreou, 2009-10.
(Updated 17 July 20)Former MPs
Vassiliki (Vasso) Papandreou
(b. 1944) MP for PASOK. Member of the Parliamentary assembly of the Mediterranean. Former Minister of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works. Former minister
for the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization (1999-2001), Minister for Development (1996-99). She holds a Ph.D in Economics from the University
of Reading in the U. K. She was a founding member of PASOK in 1974, served as president of the Hellenic Organization for the Small and Medium Size Enterprises
in the early 80's. She was first elected to parliament in 1985.
I really thought she was on track to become the first woman prime minister of Greece, but that isn't likely now.
(Updated 20 July 20)
Tina Birbili Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change (October 2009 - June 2011). Was her first government position;
previously she was an advisor. Earned a Ph.D. in 1995 in physics (or Environmental Economics) from the Imperial College of London. Born 1969 in Athens.
(Updated 20 July 20)
Anna Diamantopoulou
Minister for Education, Lifelong Education and Religious Affairs (Oct 2009 to ?). Former EMP, was Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs (from 1999 to 2004).
Left her position due to being elected to Greek parliament. Former Deputy Minister for Development (1996-99). A Civil Engineer from Macedonia. Has been a member of the PASOK central committee since 1990. First elected MP from Kozani in 1996. Born 1959.
(Updated 24 Aug 20) Her website. (Up 6 Nov. 13; posted 9/18/10)
Louka Katseli
(b. 1952, Athens) Was Minister for the Economy, Competitiveness and Mercantile Marine from October 2009 to Sept. 2010. Then became Minister of Labor until June 2011. Former Prof and Chair of Economics at the University of Athens. Former economic advisor to the PM (1993-96). Earned a Econ. Ph.D. from Princeton in 1978 and served as a professor of economics at Yale. Expelled from the party Oct. 2011 for voting against an austerity measure to liberalize labor markets; later reinstated only to be expelled a second time after voting against another austerity measure. Formed a new party, Social Agreement which won 1% of votes in 2012 elections. Was chair of the National Bank of Greece 2015 - 2018. Now Director of OECD Development Centre.
(Updated 24 Aug 20)
Elpida Tsouri
Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs, Islands and Fisheries, from September 2010. Former Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare (from 2001 to 2005).
Born 1961 on Chios, where she served in local offices before being elected as MP for the first time in 2000.
(Updated 20 July 2020)Milena Apostolaki,Vice-Minister for Agricultural Development and food, from October 2009.
Eva Kaili TV news presenter for Mega Channel, 2004-07. Elected 2002 to the Thessaloniki City Council, its youngest member. Elected 2009 as MP from Thessaloniki, one of the youngest members of parliament. (Updated 7 May 14) 
Angela Gerekou Former actress and architect. MP 2004-2010. Deputy minister for Culture & Tourism (Sept 2009 - May 2010). Had to resign when her husband, a famous folk singer, was exposed for owing 5.5 million Euros in back taxes. (Updated 6 Nov 13)Anna Dalara, Vice-Minister for Labor and Social Insurance, from September 2010.
Katerina Batzeli Was Minister of Rural Development and Food, from October 2009 to Sept. 2010 when dismissed from the cabinet. In politics since 1989 with various positions related to Agriculture. MEP 2004-09. Born in Lamia. Her Facebook page.
(Up 9/18/10; posted 5/11/10) 
Rodula Zisi
Deputy Minister Environment, Town Planning and Public Works. Born 1953, involved in student resistance movement against 1967-74 junta.
Held offices in her native Volos, first became MP for PASOK in 1993.
Eleni Kourkoula
Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs. Journalist and Actress. First elected MP for PASOK in 2000.
Elisavet Papazoe,
Alternative Minister of Foreign Affairs (from 2000). Former Minister for Culture (1999-2000), Minister of the Aegean (1997-99), Deputy Minister
of Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works (1993-96). A civil engineer born in 1944 she has been ambassador to Cuba, first elected MP
in 1989, and a member of the PASOK's central committee since 1994. More info here and here.
Maria Damanakh PASOK MP, formerly of Synaspismos. Started out as a Communist, was radio voice of student rebellion during the time of the Colonels. Tortured by the junta. Elected to parliament in 1977, she became the first woman to lead a mainstream political party when she was president of Synaspismos in 1989. Joined PASOK in 2003. Maria DamanakhSYRIZA
Rena Dourou
The prefect (governor) of Attica region. Former Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs. Had her
YouTube (up 5/7/14)
moment when neo-Nazi Golden Dawn MP threw a glass of water at her during a live TV debate. (She was in full flight ripping him a well-deserved new one at the time.)
Has been quoted as saying: "they are going to have to accept you can be blonde and involved in foreign and defense policy." Daughter of a policeman,
she has a Ph.D. in political science. First elected to parliament in 2012. (Updated 17 July 20)
Olga Gerovassili
(b. 1961, Arta) Served as Minister for Citizen Protection starting August 2018. A medical doctor.
(Updated 20 July 2020) Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou,
(b. 1963, Athens) Former PASOK MP. Minister of Administrative Reconsturction from Aug. 2018. Alternative Foreign Minister from October 2010. Former Minister for Health
and Social Solidarity from October 2009 to September 2010. Elected to the Greek parliament in 2007, former member of the European Parliament 2004-07. Resigned from
PASOK in 2012 over the bailout provisions. Is Parliamentary Spokesperson.
(Updated 20 July 20)
(b. 1963, Athens) Former PASOK MP. Minister of Administrative Reconsturction from Aug. 2018. Alternative Foreign Minister from October 2010. Former Minister for Health
and Social Solidarity from October 2009 to September 2010. Elected to the Greek parliament in 2007, former member of the European Parliament 2004-07. Resigned from
PASOK in 2012 over the bailout provisions. Is Parliamentary Spokesperson.
(Updated 20 July 20)
Myrsini Zorba
(b. 1949) Served as Minister of Culture and Sports Aug. 2018 to July 2019. (May not be an MP at this point.).
(Updated 20 July 2020) 
Lydia Koniordou
(b. 1953) Served as Minister of Culture and Sports from 2016 until Aug. 2018. Well known theater actress.
(Updated 20 July 2020) 
Litsa Amanatidou Paschalidou
Shadow Minister for Macedonia - Thrace Affairs. In 2008, while an MP she symbolically violated Mt. Athos's male only policy to protest the church's policies
on some land ownership issues.
(Updated 20 July 2020)
Theodora Tzakri
(b. 1970, Pella) Elected PASOK MP in 2007. For voting in Nov. 2013 for a resolution of 'no confidence' in a government she (accurately) called "incompetent"
and "characterized by a surplus of social cruelty" was subject to much sexist commentary about her appearance, choice of clothing and her shoes (er ... shoes?).
Subsequently kicked out of PASOK. Joined SYZRA.
(Updated 20 July 20)KKE
Alexandra (Aleka) Papariga
(b. 1945, Athens) Joined the communist party in 1968 and became secretary general of the KKE, the Communist Party of Greece, in 1991.
First woman to lead a political party in Greece for any length of time. A leader of the woman's movement in the 70s and 80s. MP since 1993. More info
here. (Updated 17 July 20)
Liana Kanelli
(b. 1954). A lawyer, she was a journalist and outspoken TV presenter before joining KKE in 1999 and being elected to parliament in 2000. She was attacked
on air by a Golden Dawn MP in 2012 who punched her in the face (also see Rena Dourou, above).
(Updated 27 July 20)Maria Boskou is a KKE MP for Immathia, Central Macedonia.
Other parties
Sofia Sakorafa
(b. 1957) Former world record holder in the javelin (set 1982). MP for PASOK (2000-10) until she voted against the austerity measures and was expelled in 2010.
Joined SYRIZA. In 2013 was shadow minister of Interior. Left SYRIZA over opposition to further austerity and joined MeRA25. Has been a MEP.
(Updated 17 July 20)
Rachil Makri
is a MP from the Popular Unity party. During a demonstration to protest the austerity measures climbed and sat on a fence leading to former PASOK deputy prime minister Pangalos to launch
some crude sexist innuendo at her about women who sit on sharp objects.
(Updated 17 July 20)
Zoe Konstantopoulou
(b. 1976) As a member of SYRIZA was elected and served as president of the parliament briefly from 6 Feb. 2015. Said to have been the youngest speaker in Greek history.
She earned quite a reputation for arrogance and most seemed happy to see her go. Former shadow Justice Minister. MP from Athens. Left Syriza and is the leader of the Course
of Freedom party (not in parliament as of 2020). Went after PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos for corruption; he responded by asking when she would be pregnant.
(Updated 16 July 2020)
Nana Mouskouri
A world famous singer (with world famous glasses) has sold over 350 million copies of her scores of albums. A pacifist, she was named a UNICEF goodwill ambassador in 1993
and served as a member of the European Parliament 1994-99 from the European People's Party. From Crete, born 1934. (Updated 7 May 14)New Democracy
In the cabinet
Niki Kerameus,
(b. 1980, Thessaloniki) Minister of Education and Religious Affairs from 9 July 2019. A lawyer, graduated from Harvard Law and the University of Paris. Updated 20 July 2020) 
Lina Mendoni,
Minister for Culture and Sports. Has a PhD in Archeology from the University of Athens. (Updated 17 July 2020) Other MPs and MEPs
Dora Bakoyiannis (Ντόρα Μπακογιάννη)
(b. 1954) Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2009 (first women to hold position). She was a finalist to lead the party in 2009 but lost. She was seen as wanting to widen the party in contrast to the more conservative approach of the eventual winner, Antonis Samaras.
Was listed on Forbes Magazines list of 100 most powerful women in the world.
In May of 2010 she was expelled from the party for voting against party directives. A cheap move, in my view since she was voting the national interest rather than narrow partisanship. For a time was head of her own party, Democratic Alliance. In 2012 she was reunited to ND.
First elected to parliament in 1989. Won praise for her conduct as mayor of Athens (2003-06) before and during the 2004 Olympics, winning the title of World Mayor of the Year in 2005. Was first woman to hold that position. Former shadow secretary for Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Daughter of former conservative prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis. Born 1954. Her first husband was murdered by the November 17th terrorist group in 1989. It is claimed she is over 6'0" tall. I though she was a leading candidate to be the first woman Prime Minister. (Updated 17 July 20)
Her web site (Up 17 July 2020; posted1/8/02)Her Facebook page (Up17 July 2020; posted 12/15/09)
Olga Kefalogianni,
(b. 1975) MP from Crete (2007 - 2012) and from Athens (2012 - date). Minister of Tourism 2012 - 2015. Attorney. Graduate of King's College, University of London
and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Author of the book "The role of the EU in the Cyprus issue." Daughter of a former MP and minister. (Updated 17 July 20)
Marietta Giannakou-Koutsikou
(b. 1951) Former Minster of Education and Religious Affairs March 2004 - Sept. 2007. A physician, she has represented Athens continuously
since 1993. Was Minster of Health in 1990-91. In 2009 she became a MEP.Former MPs
Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki
Famous for her key role in rescuing the 2004 Olympic bid and then in rescuing the games by sheer force of will. Athens municipal councillor and then MP.
After the games she failed at starting a newspaper. In 2013 published "My Greek Drama" an autobiography that argues, in part, that Greece threw away the success of
the Olympics. Is now connected to Harvard U. Has been listed by Forbes Magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in the world. Born on Crete.
(Updated 17 July 20)
Fani Palli-Petralia,
From December 2007, was Minister for Employment and Social Protection. First woman Minister of Tourism from Feb. 2006 to Sept. 2007. Alternative Minister of Culture,
2004-06. President of European Women's Union in 1999. Attorney. Led the failed bid to obtain the 1996 Olympic games. Born 1943. (Updated 20 July 20)
Anna Psarouda-Benaki,
(b. 1934) Former Speaker of Parliament, elected in 2004, first woman to hold that title. Former Culture Minister and Minister of Justice. She is an attorney,
author of several books on criminal law and former law professor. First elected in 1981. (Updated 17 July 20)Links of interest.
A Hellenic Women's Political Party exists, I don't know much about it.
Last modified 24 Aug. 2020; posted 25 Aug. 1999; original content © 2020, 1999 John P. Nordin