An Evening with Stephanie Cotsirilos (A Women's History Month Fundraiser)

In celebration of Women's History Month, spend an inspiring evening in conversation with Stephanie Cotsirilos—civil rights attorney, philanthropist, and acclaimed author—as she shares reflections on an equitable legal profession and reads selections from her novella, My Xanthi.

Through storytelling and reflection, Stephanie invites guests into a deeply personal narrative that explores heritage, resilience, and the forces that shape who we become. Her work bridges law, legacy, and literature—offering insight into the human dimensions of justice and belonging.

The evening will include light hors d’oeuvres, brief remarks from Krystal Williams, and a live reading by the author. All tickets include a copy of My Xanthi, signed by the author.

My Xanthi Reviews

"At once a coming-of-age story, a reckoning, and a taut psychological thriller, My Xanthi is a fearless look at law and justice and the difference between them. Cotsirilos' gift for character development through voice along with her vivid, incandescent prose and intimate familiarity with the violence that convulsed both Greece and the United States during the last century, combine to reveal how a secret can send fault lines through several generations and across continents." -Carol Smith, Pulitzer Prize nominated journalist and author of Crossing the River: Seven Stories that Saved My Life

"If you're lucky, every once in a while, you come across a book that overcomes you with its powerful story. My Xanthi, from first-time novelist Stephanie Cotsirilos, did that for me . . . My Xanthi has the moral heft of a much longer novel . . . [and] brilliantly juxtaposes the commonplace with the horrors of war and the desire for retribution." -Frank O Smith, PEN/Bellwether finalist and reviewer, Portland Press Herald

"A beautiful, lyrical novella drawing the reader in with its suspenseful first sentence, My Xanthi is a probing exploration of the ravages of (un)civil uprisings, resistance, dislocation, and survival. It is also the story of one woman's bravery, resilience, and ability to endure the unimaginable while holding love deeply in her heart. Cotsirilos has written a powerful contemporary Greek tragedy that is all too familiar today. With her gifts of language and storytelling, Cotsirilos is an author to follow." -Susan Clampitt, Former Deputy Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts

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At Alpha Legal Foundation, we believe equity in the law begins with equity in opportunity.

The legal system cannot fully deliver justice if the people within it do not reflect the communities they serve.

In Maine and across the nation, aspiring legal professionals — particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color — face persistent barriers to entering and advancing within the legal field.

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