Her first role was at age 13, in her Greek immigrant father's theater company, portraying "the spirit of young Greece" and releasing doves - or pigeons, in this case, as a stand-in - as a sign of peace.

"They did what terrified pigeons do," Olympia Dukakis said of the aftermath. "I should have known then what show business was all about."

The 78-year-old Oscar-winner spoke passionately about her career and her causes, including education and the arts, Tuesday night at Davenport's Adler Theatre in the kickoff of the second season of the Viewpoint speakers series, organized by the Eastern Iowa Community College District. Attorney-author Scott Turow will follow in January, and former Irish president Mary Robinson concludes the season in April.

Wearing an all-black outfit including a black leather jacket with an orange scarf, Dukakis told several hundred in the crowd about her early struggles as an actress. She earned as little as $15 a week in Boston until being convinced - by her cousin Michael, who later became a two-term Massachussetts governor and 1988 Democratic presidential candidate - to move to New York, despite having $76 to her name.

"Arrogance and stupidity runs through my life," the actress said with a laugh.

Dukakis fought those who wanted to change her "ethnic name" to downplay her heritage. "I had fought too many fights ... protests, defending my name."

After decades on the stage in countless productions, she turned to movies and won an Oscar in 1988 for best supporting actress for her role in "Moonstruck."

"The promise America holds for immigrants was totally realized," she said of the year. "One of us was running for president, one of us was winning an Academy Award."

Film roles followed for Dukakis, including "Steel Magnolias," "Mr. Holland's Opus" and the "Look Who's Talking" movies.

She said she developed a competitive spirit in high school and college athletics, playing tennis, lacrosse, basketball and fencing, the latter of which she was against opponents far more privileged. That led to a winner-take-all attitude in theater, she said.

"I went on stage and instead of playing with people, I wanted to be better than they were," she said.

Dukakis credited her parents with giving her the work ethic and inspiration for her career, and for causes. She is an advocate in the fields of domestic violence prevention, the environment, health care and political repression.

She carried a script for much of her 50-minute speech, but deviated from the script frequently, and took questions from the audience.

Those attending said they were inspired.

"She related to our everyday situation right now and the individual goals of people," said Bert Murphy, a retired science teacher from Bettendorf. "You have to have those goals and have to fight for them."

"Her main message was that if you can make it if you work hard and get an education," said Erin Bauswell, who lives in Bettendorf and works as a budget analyst at the Rock Island Arsenal.