Yvette M. Jarvis is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston University with a degree in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology.

1st African American in 1983 to play in the Greek Women's Basketball League, the 1st salaried female athlete in the league.

1st African American in 1983 to land a major advertising campaign with a Greek cosmetic company.

1st African American to speak Greek on national television.

Completed a successful 10 year modelling career throughout Greece, Europe and the United States.

Trained 2 years at the National Academy of Music with a concentration in vocal training. Embarked on a successful career as a vocal artist, which she continues up until the present. Hosted In 1990 her 1st television show embarking on a career in television spanning more than a decade.

October 2002 Yvette Jarvis became the 1st African American to be elected to the City Council of Athens Greece.

January 2003 secured a procurement contract for The Institute for the Blind with the municipality and was instrumental in the implementation of a directive from the counsel to increase hiring of people with disabilities by 5% in the municipality.

March 2003 in cooperation with the National Workers Union of Greece, coordinated a day conference on the rights of Domestic Help Workers.

April 2003 initiated a National toll free Hotline for Victims of Domestic Violence by securing funding from a multinational company and with the help of the European Women's Network the hotline is up and running. Since it's creation the Hotline has received over 1,000 calls for help.

Coordinated a day conference in cooperation with the European Women’s Network for 25 municipalities in Greece to record and exchange information on the support systems available for Domestic Violence Victims.

May 2003 Presented at the United Nations the photo exhibit of OlymPeace Children’s Festival for Ekecheria 2003. OlymPeace is an educational program for children in war torn countries that promotes the spirit of Olympic truce and Peace through athletics, arts and music.

July 2003 Organized ceremony at Zappeion for the opening of the 2nd OlymPeace Children’s Festival in cooperation with Organization of Youth and Athletics (O.N.A.) In September 2003 Mayor Bakoyianni solicited her services and advice for the creation of a Hotline for Victims of Trafficking for the municipality.

In October 2003 Organized a group of 100 citizens to clean up some of the historical sites in the city of Athens.

Organized a Goodwill Brunch aimed at honouring citizens of Athens who have served others in a charitable way at the end of October.

Lobbied successfully for changes to the immigration laws to allow immediate resident and work permits for 18 year olds who were born and educated in Greece by immigrant parents whom otherwise were eligible for deportation.

Lectures University Students and Women’s Organizations on Domestic Violence Spokesperson for Domestic Violence Hotline

MEMBERSHIPS & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Member of the Galatsi Group- NGO’s involved in combating Trafficking
Vice President of E.N.O.W. (European Network of Women), Greece
Elected to the General Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organizations, representing Health and Welfare 2001
Board Member for The American Women's Organization of Greece (3 yrs.)
Member of The American Women’s Organization of Greece
Christmas Bazaar Chair for the American Women’s Organization of Greece 2002, raised a record 26,00 euros for charities in 4 hours
Founding Member of Friends for Habitat for Humanity Greece
Executive Board Member of Friends for Habitat for Humanity Greece
Board member for Democrats Abroad
Advisor to the 1st Children’s Peace Festival OlymPeace held in Delphi and Olympia, July 2001
Advisor to the 2nd Children’s Peace Festival OlymPeace held in Delphi, July 2003
Member of Community Services Network, U.S. Embassy
Member of MDA, Muscular Dystrophy Association of Greece
Member of Fyllosia, Friends of Theotokou, Institute for the Mentally Challenged
Founding Member, of the Cultural Awareness Program, a program being designed for visible minorities in Greece
Planned and Organized ELECTION WATCH NIGHT 2000 for the Democratic Party
Organized and Fundraised for the first “World Arts Festival on Human Rights” held in Athens, in March 2001
Member of the Drafting Committee for the Declaration, presented to the U.N., E.U., and to Sweden as President of E.U. As drafted, by representatives of the 15 member Countries participating in the 1st Conference on the “Integration of the African Experience” held in Sweden, May 3-6, 2001
Member of the Drafting Committee on Racism for the Mediterranean Women’s Forum October 2003

Conferences

Ministry of Interiors Immigration Law 2910, several gatherings throughout 2002-2003
National Workers Union/ ____/_____ “Combined effort for Immigrant Policy in the E.U.”
January 2003 Keynote Speaker
Archdiocese Athinon/KESO “Illicit trafficking in Women and Children and the participation of society and state in victim support” February 2003 Keynote Speaker
National Workers Union/____ “Domestic Workers Rights and introduction to the Greek Union” March 2003 Keynote Speaker
Migrant Women’s Day Celebration March 2003 Keynote Speaker
Mediterranean Women’s Forum October 2003
Greek Center for European Studies and research (EKEME)/____ “Racism and Xenophobia” December 2003 Keynote Speaker
Archdiocese Athinon “The Family in the 21st Century” September 2002 Keynote Speaker
Ministry of Public Order “EVROPI” Seminar on Women-victims of illicit trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation June 2002
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Hellenic Aid)/IOM/U.S. Embassy Trafficking in Persons: Building an infrastructure to support the victims December 2002

Distinctions and Awards

Introductory speaker for Governor Pattaki, N.Y. State March 2003

Celebration ”Only In Brooklyn” Honored by the President of Brooklyn, Mr. Marty Markowitz with the distinction of being the first Brooklynite elected to a Foreign Public Office March 2003

Women of the Year Award Cretan Women’s Society N.Y. October 2003