Maria Pappas releases her memoir “Maria the Pappas,” which details her rise to public service
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recounted her childhood in West Virginia coal country, her journey into public service, and a spiritual experience in Romania that inspired the conclusion of her new memoir, “Maria the Pappas,” during a book signing event hosted by the Romanian Heritage Center in Des Plaines, Illinois, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026
By Ray Hanania
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas shared deeply personal stories of childhood hardship, family tragedy, religious faith, and her remarkable journey into public service during an emotional discussion of her new memoir, Maria the Pappas, at the Romanian Heritage Center in Chicago on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Speaking before members of Chicago’s Romanian-American community, Pappas described how growing up in a working-class Greek immigrant family in a small West Virginia coal mining town helped shape the determination, compassion and commitment to helping others that would eventually define her career.
The book traces her journey from a young girl raised among coal miners, immigrant families and the Greek Orthodox Church to an educator, psychologist, attorney and one of Cook County’s most recognizable elected officials.
But Pappas told the audience that her memoir is about more than political accomplishments. It is a story about overcoming adversity, understanding the struggles of others, and finding strength through faith.
CLICK THIS LINK TO READ THE FULL STORY AND VIEW THE YOUTUBE VIDEO
Visit Maria’s memoir website at www.MariaThePappas.com.
Order the book directly from Amazon.com by CLICKING THIS LINK.
