International Women’s Day and Fair at the Union League Club of Chicago

Dr. Joaquín Villegas, Monica Swope, Maria Petrova, Dr. Ana Gil-García, Kay McSpadden, Don Garner, Julie Oh and Ceyda Aykan

The Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association participated in partnership with World Chicago in the celebration of the International Women’s Day that took place at the Union League Club of Chicago on March 7, 2011.

Board member Dr. Ana Gil-García and Elio Leturia, Fulbright Association, Chicago Chapter president

Our chapter also participated in the fair that started in the morning. During this time, board members had the opportunity to promote Fulbright and our chapter and distribute information about our activities and the Fulbright programs.  The fair was followed by a luncheon where keynote speaker Deborah L. DeHaas, gave a preentation “The Business Case for Diversity: Why Developing Women Leaders is Imperative to the Success of Global Companies” in which she discussed the important role of women in the corporate world and the efforts that are being made to offer them equal of opportunities.

Dr. Erika Cook, Maria Petrova, Monica Swope, Julie Oh, Ceyda Aykan and Kay McSpadden after the luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago

Three current Fulbright students accepted our invitation to participate in the event. Ceyda Aykan, from Turkey, studies painting at the Art Institute of Chicago, Maria Petrova from Russia, who specializes in American Literature at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Julie Oh from Canada, who is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Photography at the Art Institute of Chicago.