thisdayinherstory:

August 29th…

On This Day in Herstory, August 29th 1926, Helene Ahrweiler, a Greek academic and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Greece, was born in Athens, Greece. 

After finishing high school Ahrweiler, the daughter of refugees from Asia Minor, went on to study History and Archaeology at the University of Athens. From there she moved to Paris and earned degrees in History and Classics, and in 1960 she completed her first PhD in History from the University of Sorbonne. By 1966 she had completed her second PhD in Philology, the study of structure and historical developments of languages; and just one year later she became a professor at the Sorbonne. 

From here, her career developed rapidly; from 1970-1973 she was Deputy Principal of the Sorbonne, and she was Principal of the Sorbonne from 1976-1981. Ahrweiler was the first woman to ever hold this position in the history of the Sorbonne, and she was the first woman ever to hold the post of Principal at a world-renowned University. In 1982 the French President named her as Rector to the Academy of Paris, and Chancellor of the Universities of Paris. 

Ahrweiler was also named Principal of the University of Europe in Paris, President of the Ethics Committee of the National Centre of Scientific Research in France, and Honorary President of the International Committee of Byzantine Studies.  Additionally, the President of France offered her the Medal of the Battalion Commander of the Legion of Honor, this is one of the highest awards in France. 

Throughout her studies and career, she was also the recipient of several Honorary Doctorates from Universities all over the world. As well, in 2008 she was named one of the 100 Greatest Greeks of all time.