Life in America

Work

Growing up, Paula received her first job at sixteen, working at a Brigham Soda Fountain. During all of high school and most of college, she worked as a file clerk for a nearby law firm.

When attending Northeastern University, Paula majored in Elementary Education, receiving her diploma in 1971. While still in college, Paula worked at Brookline's Recreational Center, where she worked directly with children in preschool during the school year and senior citizens in the summer. Once she graduated from university, Paula worked in Belmont, MA, as a teacher for two years. Then, she moved on to the Recreation Center in Wellesley, where she worked as the lead teacher for twelve years. She has worked part-time at Carter Preschool in Needham, MA, since March 1998.

“You have opportunity here. Land of opportunity” (Berlis).

Love & Family

Before meeting Jimmy Berlis, Paula did not intend to marry after college. Paula had plans to join the Peace Corps in Pueblo, CA, where she would receive a salary, free housing, and free food, and her debt would be paid off. However, her plans soon changed after meeting Jimmy at the Hub in the Prudential Center, where her sister and brother-in-law took her to dinner in March of 1970. Their first date was a coffee date where he discovered she felt so "safe and protected" with him as he was eight years older, spoke Greek and English, and was a veteran. Paula married Jimmy a year later in 1971, and they had children together in 1973 and 1975.

Greek Life in America

“Be proud of who you are and that you're a greek who came here, who accomplished something to be proud of” (Berlis).

Y.M.C.A.

While growing up, Paula's aunt wanted Paula and her siblings to adopt the American lifestyle through education, socialization, work, religion, and language. In Brookline, the local Y.M.C.A. was the institution where Paula could acclimate to the U.S. Paula recalls, "Y.M.C.A. was a fun place and gave free tutoring in English" (Berlis). As immigrants, Paula's aunt influenced the children to immerse themselves in American social gatherings, traditional American holidays (Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, etc.), and school. At school and the Y.M.C.A., Paula was taught not to be an "average kid with an accent" but to work alongside different types of Americans.

Taxiarchae Archangles Greek Orthodox Church

"Church, your faith is number one" (Berlis). Since childhood, Paula was taught that religion is essential because it "keeps culture, traditions, language, and ethnicity alive" (Berlis). While Paula's aunt wanted Paula and her siblings to get comfortable with the American lifestyle through school and work, the church allowed them to keep their Greek culture prevalent. Since she was young, Paula has been a member of the same church, Taxiarchae Archangles Greek Orthodox Church, where she speaks Greek and continues long-lasting traditions.

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