Category Archives: Chicago events

2013 Holiday Party: Elio Leturia is the winner of this year’s prestigious Dee Sarelas Service Award

Posted on December 24, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Elio Leturia talks to Chicago Chapter board member Mary Mares-Awe after being presented with the Dee Sarelas Service Award.

Elio Leturia talks to Chicago Chapter board member Mary Mares-Awe after being presented with the 2013 Dee Sarelas Service Award.

Past award recipient, Dr. Ana Gil García announces this year's winner.

Past award recipient, Dr. Ana Gil García announces this year’s winner.

By Mary Mares-Awe—ELIO LETURIA RECEIVED the 2013 Dee Sarelas Service Award as part of the ceremonies at this year’s annual Fulbright Chicago Holiday Party on December 2nd hosted by DePaul University.

Leturia was very honored and surprised for receiving the award, “I didn’t even know I was being nominated,” he said emotionally after receiving the recognition of distinction.

Leturia is a worthy recipient of the award having devoted the past seven years to working hard at the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, and devoting countless hours to various Fulbright activities, including creating the Chicago Fulbright site and serving as a president of the Chicago Chapter for two consecutive years, 2011 and 2012.

Leturia also designs Fulbright Edge, the monthly newsletter of the national Fulbright Association and has presented in the last two national conferences in London and Washington D.C. He has also organized a national training conference when presidents from more than 50 Fulbright associations in the country convened in Chicago last April. Currently, Leturia is the Vice President, and Communications Director of the Chicago Chapter.

Over 100 people attended this year's Holiday Celebration

Over 110 people attended this year’s Holiday Celebration

In 1990, he came to the United States as a Fulbright Scholar from Peru to pursue a graduate degree in journalism. Upon completion, he returned to Lima and eventually relocated to the United States hired by the Tribune Company. He has worked for years for the daily press and academia, and currently he is an Associate Professor in the Journalism Department at Columbia College Chicago.

Don Garner thanks the chapter's association for the nomination.

Don Garner thanks the association members for the recognition.

Don Garner, the Consular Corps Liaison board member and past-president of the Chicago Chapter, was also recognized this year for his outstanding commitment in connecting the diplomatic Chicago community with the Fulbright program.

The Dee Sarelas Fulbright Service Award is named after a founder of the Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter: Aphrodite (“Dee”) Edith Floros Sarelas, an early Fulbrighter to Greece. The award, established in 2009, recognizes “the significant impact on the development of internationalism for the Fulbright Association and the Chicagoland community.”

Elio Leturia and past board member Linda Gruber

Elio Leturia and past board member Linda Gruber

Previous winners have been Marilyn Susman, Thomas Ahleman and Ana Gil-García.

More than 110 guests attended this year’s Holiday celebration. Participants included members of the Fulbright Association of Chicago, friends and family, current Fulbright students and scholars from 42 countries, and members of the consular corps including the Consul General of Japan, Hon. Yoshida Masaharu, the Consul General of Pakistan, Hon. Faisal Tirmizi, the Consul General of the Comoros in Chicago, Hon. Charif Hachim and the Consul General of Uruguay, Hon. Nury Bazán de Senes.

Fulbright students, scholars and association members at the holiday celebration

Fulbright students, scholars and association members at the holiday celebration

Columbia College Chicago jazz trio provided the music

Columbia College Chicago jazz trio provided the music

Guests enjoyed a buffet-style dinner served at the stately walnut paneled dining room of DePaul University’s Cortelyou Commons.

Entertainment was provided by a trio of Columbia College Chicago music students, who supplied professional-level jazz sounds throughout the evening.

Fulbright students, scholars and association members at the holiday celebration

Fulbright students, scholars and association members at the holiday celebration

As part of the background ambiance, a photographic slide show showcased scenes of this year’s events and activities. Another slideshow set to the music of American composer and a fellow Fulbrighter, Aaron Copeland, showcased some 40 famous Fulbrighters including scientists, entertainers, country presidents, and historians.

Welcoming committee: Board members Cristina Sisson, Regina Mamou and Kari Burnett

Welcoming committee: Board members Cristina Sisson, Regina Mamou and Kari Burnett

Elio Leturia, Jonathan Broutin, Chris Greiner and Norma Green

Elio Leturia, Jonathan Broutin, Chris Greiner and Norma Green

Fulbright students, scholars and association members at the holiday celebration

Fulbright students, scholars and association members at the holiday celebration

—Photos by Mary Mares-Awe, Elio Leturia  and Todd Burbank

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Dr. Bruce Douglas receives the Fulbright Chicago Pioneer Award

Posted on December 23, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Ron Harvey, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, presented Dr. Douglas with the Fulbright Pioneer Award

Ron Harvey, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association, presented Dr. Bruce Douglas with the Fulbright Pioneer Award

By Mary Mares-Awe and Elio Leturia—DURING THE 2013 FULBRIGHT HOLIDAYS Celebration that took place on December 2 at DePaul University, Dr. Bruce Douglas was honored with the Fulbright Chicago Pioneer Award for his devotion to the Fulbright mission and his contributions to establish the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association in 1990, when he became its first president.

Dr. Douglas was a Fulbrighter to Japan in two successive Fulbright professorships, in 1959-1960 (Okayama) and 1960-1961 (Tokyo.) He was also a Fulbright “ambassador” to the Soviet Union and Russia in 1990, 1992 and 1995, working with Sherman Funk, Inspector General, U. S. State Department.

Dr. Douglas thanking the association for this lifetime ward recognition.

Dr. Douglas thanking the association for this lifetime award recognition.

In one of his international experiences, Douglas met his wife, Janet Douglas, when they both worked in Vietnam and Laos. He also had a brief stint in Cambodia.

Janet’s English background led them back to the UK in 1977, where, supported by WHO and with Jan’s help, Douglas studied The British National Health Service, and became imbued with the benefits of a national health system, an idea to which he remains wedded to this day.

During his Fulbright presidency, Douglas and his wife hosted Senator J. William Fulbright in Chicago.

Dr. Douglas and the Hon. Yoshida Masaharu, Consul General of Japan.

Dr. Douglas and the Hon. Yoshida Masaharu, Consul General of Japan.

Dr. Douglas, 88, delivered a heartfelt speech upon receiving the award. He has had a long distinguished career as a surgeon and researcher. Board President Ron Harvey presented him with this important recognition.

“I am thrilled with this renewed opportunity to return to “the fold,” Douglas said. —Photos by Mary Mares-Awe

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How did you spend your Thanksgiving? Share your photos!

Posted on December 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Aisha Malik from Pakistan, Mariana Tesch Morgan from Brazil and Gaetana Poponcini from Belgium spent Thanksgiving in Evanston, at the house of professors Dave and Debra Tolchinsky

Aisha Malik from Pakistan, Mariana Tesch Morgan from Brazil and Gaetana Poponcini from Belgium spent Thanksgiving in Evanston, at the house of professors Dave and Debra Tolchinsky.

By Elio Leturia—THANKSGIVING IS A NEW holiday for the visiting Fulbrighters and a new American experience in this country. I still remember my first Thanksgiving in the U.S. during my Fulbright at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was in 1990.

A classmate of mine invited me to her house to spend it with her family. I was not sure what it was going to happen. I had never seen or eaten cranberries. They were so exotic! I had eaten roasted turkey before (we prepare it for Christmas and New Year’s) but never seen a green bean casserole, pumpkin, sweet potato or pecan pie. There was also something called “Ambrosia salad” that had marshmallows. It was so different!

Papas a la Huancaína. Photo by Leticia Delboy

Papas a la Huancaína. Photo by Leticia Delboy

I brought a replication of a Peruvian dish called Papas a la Huancaína which main ingredient is ají amarillo. Remember, these were times were most people didn’t know what cilantro was and supermarkets didn’t carry it, so imagine trying to get ají amarillo. I improvised with some Mexican chile peppers—which were completely new to me. It was not the same but somehow it worked out. At the end, the objective was sharing.

So let’s share some images about how YOU spent your Thanksgiving! Please send your pictures with your name, country of origin and captions to eleturia@colum.edu

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JUAN JIMÉNEZ from Chile. PhD program in Science Education at Illinois Institute of technology

Thanksgiving ONE: An IIT classmate invited Jiménez to her house in Lisle, where he enjoyed the holiday with her family, eating, talking and playing games. Her classmate’s brother is an engineer who each year designs games to play with the family—even babies and grandmas.

Thanksgiving ONE: An IIT classmate invited Jiménez to her house in Lisle, where he enjoyed the holiday with her family, eating, talking and playing games. Her classmate’s brother is an engineer who each year designs games to play with the family—even babies and grandmas.

Jiménez spent his second Thanksgiving with classmates and friends at his adviser’s home.

Jiménez spent his second Thanksgiving with classmates and friends at his adviser’s home.

JIménez adviser "killing" the turkey.

JIménez adviser “killing” the turkey.

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IVY MARISCHA from Indonesia,  Masters Program in Computer Science at Loyola University and  SYLMINA ALKAFF, from Indonesia, Masters Program in Bio-Medical Engineering at Northwestern University
Sylmina Alkaff and Ivy Gladys Marischa spent their Thanksgiving studying but attended a Pre Thanksgiving party at the Indonesian Student Association of Illinois

Sylmina Alkaff and Ivy Gladys Marischa spent their Thanksgiving studying but attended a Pre Thanksgiving party at the Indonesian Student Association of Illinois

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AISHA MALIK from Pakistan, Masters Program in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University
Aisha Malik from Pakistan, Mariana Tesch Morgan from Brazil and Gaetana Poponcini from Belgium spent Thanksgiving in Evanston, at the house of professors Dave and Debra Tolchinsky

Aisha Malik from Pakistan, Mariana Tesch Morgan from Brazil and Gaetana Poponcini from Belgium spent Thanksgiving in Evanston, at the house of professors Dave and Debra Tolchinsky

 

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Severe weather no match for International Spirit during 2013 International Education Week

Posted on November 27, 2013 by | Leave a comment
International Fulbrighters gathered to celebrate International Education Week

In spite of severe rain, wind and hail, international Fulbrighters gathered to celebrate International Education Week.

By Mary Mares-Awe—ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2013,  the Chicago chapter of the Fulbright Association celebrated International Education Week (IEW), with an event focusing on Chicago’s immigrant history. The international education week was started about ten years ago as a joint venture between the US Dept. of State and the US Dept. of Education. The aim is to encourage organizations and education institutions to organize events that highlight the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

Jane Addams

Jane Addams

The Chapter chose to organize an event focusing on the history of Chicago’s immigrants around the turn of the last century. We planned a tour of the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Jane Addams, a social worker, was instrumental in helping newly arrived immigrants in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s start a new life in Chicago. Through her Hull-House settlement, she provided job training, child care for working mothers, hot meals and other services to immigrant families. Jane Addams was also the first woman to win a Nobel Peace prize for her work.

An area called Little Italy, adjacent to Hull-House, is the home of Chicago’s Italian immigrant community and today continues to thrive with authentic Italian restaurants and the Italian language is still spoken throughout the neighborhood. Our event was comprised of a tour of the Hull-House museum starting at noon, followed by a luncheon at Pompei, an Italian restaurant in Little Italy.

The day started out fine, but by late morning Chicago weather forecasters were calling for bad weather including multiple tornado warnings.

Those of us on the board who participated in the event didn’t find out until after our arrival at the museum around 11:30am, that the Hull-House was closed due to the weather. The chapter’s president Ron Harvey made a decision to direct participants to the restaurant for the lunch gathering. However, the severe weather had begun with rain and high winds.

In a great show of international spirit and cooperation, those driving (including members of the Consular Corps) immediately offered to give rides to the restaurant for those who walked or had taken public transportation. By the time the worst weather was coming down, most attendees were dry and safe at Pompei. Thank you to everyone for your excellent teamwork!

More than 60 participants turned out for the event.

Chicago Chapter president Ron Harvey welcoming Fulbright students, scholars and alumni to Pompei Restaurant.

Chicago Chapter president Ron Harvey welcoming Fulbright students, scholars and alumni to Pompei Restaurant.

Our lunch was scheduled for 2 pm. Accommodating a large crowd is not an easy task for any restaurant, but when I called Carmela, one of the managers at Pompei, and explained the museum tour cancellation and the weather situation,  to my great relief she replied “No problem, Mary, of course you can bring everyone now. Come on in.  I’ll let the staff know.”

As everyone started heading for the restaurant about four blocks away, the weather quickly became worse. Five international students from various countries including South Africa, Chile and Ecuador piled into my car and off we went. By now the rain was so heavy that it was difficult to see the road. But, we safely made it along with great laughter and positive energy that was contagious.

A variety of pizza and salads were part of the menu

A variety of pizza and salads were part of the menu

At the restaurant, attendees stared to talk to each other —and in the true Fulbright spirit— new relations and connections started to form with ease. Participants from more than 20 countries as diverse as Estonia, Portugal, and Indonesia sat together enjoying pizza, salads and dessert.  We were also honored with the attendance of Consul Generals from Taiwan, and Pakistan.

The Consul of Pakistan sharing the International Education Week lunch at Pompei with Fulbright Students and scholars

The Consul General of Pakistan, Faisal Tirmizi, sharing the International Education Week lunch at Pompei with Fulbright students and scholars

By early afternoon (as strong winds, hail and rain raged outside) inside the spirit of Fulbright was shining its rays of friendship, good vibes and positive energy. Thanks to everyone for participating in the event and for letting the true Fulbright spirit shine through. Special thanks to Ron for his leadership and for everyone else for participating.

Mr. Andy Tseng, Deputy Director General of the Cultural Office of Taiwan, also attended the 2014 International Education Week Luncheon

Mr. Andy Tseng, Deputy Director General of the Cultural Office of Taiwan, also attended the 2013 International Education Week Luncheon

Board member Ana Gil-García sharing a table with Fulbrighters

Board member Ana Gil-García sharing a table with Fulbrighters

Right to Left Ivy Marischa of Indonesia, Sylmina Alkaff of Indonesia, Esther Sibona of Papua New Guinea

Right to Left, Ivy Marischa of Indonesia, Sylmina Alkaff of Indonesia and Esther Sibona of Papua New Guinea

Future Fulbrighter Alexander Fris with mom Angeliki Lazaridou, a Fulbright Scholar from Greece

Future Fulbrighter Alexander Fris with mom Angeliki Lazaridou, a Fulbright Scholar from Greece

Fulbrighters enjoying dessert at the International Education Week Luncheon

Fulbrighters enjoying dessert at the International Education Week Luncheon

Chapter president Ron Harvey thanking all the participants for attending an "eventful" 2014 International Education Week

Chapter president Ron Harvey thanking all the participants for attending an “eventful” 2013 International Education Week

Our hearts go out to the Illinois citizens affected by the severe weather that merely inconvenienced our event. If you would like to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts, a good place to start is the Washington, IL Facebook page.

Photos by Mary Mares-Awe, Elio Leturia and Ivy Marischa

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2013 Winter Holidays Reception and Dee Sarelas Service Award Ceremony hosted by DePaul University

Posted on November 21, 2013 by | Leave a comment

2013HolidayInvite

By Ron Harvey—THE FULBRIGHT ASSOCIATION Chicago Chapter, the Institute of International Education (IIE), and DePaul University invite you, your family, colleagues, and friends to attend our end-of-year Winter Holidays Reception and 2013 Dee Sarelas* Fulbright Service Award Ceremony.

WHEN Friday, December 6th, 2013
TIME 6:30 to 9 p.m.
WHERE DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus
Cortelyou Commons
2324 N. Fremont St. Chicago, IL 60614

Cortelyou Commons is accessible from the sidewalk from Fullerton or Belden Aves.

A full buffet-style dinner will be served which includes salads, entrees with vegetarian options, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and desserts. Beer and wine are available at a cash bar. Entertainment will be provided.

COST This event is FREE for current visiting Fulbright Students and Scholars. $30 for Alumni, each adult family member, and/or guest(s). You may pay at the reception using cash or check. We also accept credit card at the reception or online via PayPal plus a $2 credit card fee. You may pay though PayPal payments after you RSVP using the form below.

RSVP by December 1, 2013 using the form HERE or by copying and pasting the link below into your browser:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bCLYAzBt4OGOs2Oah8WfhPvdYVI3OnvMkm5pjaVDJVc/viewform

PARKING is available at the DePaul Sheffield parking garage just west of Cortelyou Commons. Attendees are responsible for their own transport and parking.

The CTA Fullerton Red/Brown/Purple Line stop is one block west of Cortelyou Commons. See www.transitchicago.com to plan your trip.

* The Dee Sarelas Fulbright Service Award is named after a founder of the Fulbright Association Chicago Chapter: Aphrodite (“Dee”) Edith Floros Sarelas, an early Fulbrighter to Greece.   A Chicagoan dedicated to interacting with and nurturing Fulbrighters in the Chicago area community, Dee is remembered for her wit, empathy, and vivacity in bringing people across cultures together.  The Dee Sarelas Fulbright Service Award has been established in her memory. We honor a local person for their outstanding work promoting the vision of Senator Fulbright.

Please join us in honoring Dee and the Fulbright legacy. We look forward to seeing you at our 2013 Winter Holidays Reception!

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Exploring six degrees of separation in Fulbright branding workshop

Posted on November 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Fred Siegman leading the "Branding " workshop at Columbia College Chicago

Fred Siegman leading the “Fulbright Branding Effect on Membership Development” workshop at Columbia College Chicago

By Mary Mares-Awe—LEADERSHIP, CONNECTIONS, relationship building, common values…these are some of the concepts discussed at last Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 workshop entitled “The Fulbright Branding Effect on Membership Development” that took place in the journalism department at Columbia College Chicago.

The workshop was possible thanks to a small grant from the National Fulbright Association and led by Fred Siegman, a branding expert and consultant to major corporations and nonprofit organizations. Forty people attended the workshop including eight members of the Fulbright Chicago Chapter board. Organized by Chicago Chapter Director of Membership Ana Gil-García, and President Ron Harvey, the purpose of the four-hour training session was to develop a strategy to promote the Chicago Chapter, expand awareness of its activities among Fulbright alumni, and increase membership.

Participants during breakfast prior to the workshop

Participants during breakfast prior to the workshop

Participants had the chance to get to know one another through a series of communication exercises. Because of the workshop we now know where the term “six degrees of separation” comes from. It’s all about finding commonality with complete strangers and building new relationships.

Among other exercises, Fred Siegman explained how to find connections between people.

Among other exercises, Fred Siegman explained how to find connections between people.

For me personally, it was fun to learn, in just a few seconds, that I had something in common with the person sitting next to me. It turns out we both are life time members of the Fulbright Association. She had a Fulbright to Warsaw, Poland; my best friend in college was born in Warsaw, and the Cultural and Educational Attaché at the American Embassy in Macedonia, the country where I had my Fulbright, taught ESL in Poland before joining the Foreign Service.

Siegman also emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and learning from each other especially from those who’ve been part of Fulbright for many years. He said the workshop provided a great reflection of cross generational communication and shared interests.

Eighty eight year-old Dr. Bruce Douglas , the first president of the Chicago chapter of the Fulbright Association participated in the workshop.

Eighty-eight-year-old Dr. Bruce Douglas, the first president of the Chicago chapter of the Fulbright Association, participated in the workshop.

“We have here age groups spanning 40-50 years” Siegman observed. Just then someone chimed in “65 years… or more.” All heads turned in his direction. To everyone’s surprise and delight, he introduced himself as 88-year-old Dr. Bruce Douglas, the first president of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.  We’ll hear more from Dr. Douglas in an upcoming post in the form of an interview.

Participants networking in the Orange Area of the Journalism department of Columbia College Chicago during a break.

Participants networking in the Orange Area of the Journalism department of Columbia College Chicago during a break.

Photos by Elio Leturia

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Book signing and Brazilian concert at Instituto Cervantes

Posted on November 14, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CervantesConciertoFULBRIGHT ALUMNA JULIE KOIDIN, an accomplished musician and devoted Brazilian music lover, will present her book Choro Conversations: Pursing Life, Love and Brazil’s Music Identity at the  Instituto Cervantes on November 18 at 6:30 p.m.

The Instituto cervantes is located at 31 W. Ohio St. in Chicago.

There will also be a concert by Dois No Choro featuring Julie Koidin, flute; Paulinho Garcia, guitar and vocals, and special guests Linda Binder, mandolin and Heitor Garcia, percussion.

This presentation and concert will be followed by a cheese and wine reception.

The event is sponsored by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. Suggested donation is $10. For tickets call 312.431.1330 or go to www.latinoculturalcenter.org

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Visual artist and Fulbrighter Regina Mamou combines photography and historical research in latest exhibition

Posted on November 14, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Paradise1FROM NOW UNTIL SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014, visual artist Regina Mamou’s newest exhibition Unfortunately, It Was Paradise will be on display at the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower located at 806 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611.

The exhibition is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Using large-format photography, Unfortunately, It Was Paradise explores historical utopian communities established by secular and religious movements throughout the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions.

The exhibition is curated by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and admission is free of charge. For more information on DCASE, visit cityofchicago.org/dcase, and for more information on Regina Mamou, visit reginamamou.com.

Regina Mamou is a board member and Director of Academic Relations of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association.

Paradise2

Paradise3

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Four Fulbright Chicago board members attended Fulbright National Conference in D.C.

Posted on October 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment
Ana Gil-García, Jason Romano, Hariet Mayor Fulbright, Elio Leturia and Patti Powell

Ana Gil-García, Jason Romano, Harriet Mayor Fulbright, Elio Leturia and Patti Powell

“FULBRIGHT IN ACTION” was the theme of the 36th Fulbright Association Annual Conference that took place at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington D.C. October 3-6, 2013. Our Chicago Fulbright Chapter was well represented at this international event that comprised 27 panels and presentations. 250 participants from 35 countries attended the conference.

Not only did we have four Fulbright Chicago board members (Jason Romano, Patti Powell, Ana Gil García and Elio Leturia) at the conference but two of those participated as panelists. Ana Gil-García presented on the panel, “Walking the talk: Achieving diversity in the Fulbright Program” and Elio Leturia was on the “The Missing Voice on Gender Equality: Time for Men to Speak Up” luncheon panel which was presented by Sheryl Sandberg via a video introduction. Patti Powell presented “Charting the Hero’s Journey” as part of the opening Poster Session.

Judy Alsobrooks Meredith and Ana Gil-García presented in the Diversity panel

Judy Alsobrooks Meredith and Ana Gil-García presented in the Diversity panel

In the Diversity panel session, Gil-García discussed, along with Judy Meredith and David Smith, ways to increase diverse and minority applicants in the Fulbright Program, that has been decreasing in recent years. Her presentation encompassed her experiences as a Venezuelan woman, turned into a minority, a Latina, a Hispanic, a woman of color, a Venezuelan-American, a South-American, and other labels that she has received over her more than 25 years in the U.S.

Clymer, Fukushima, Leturia and Modi in the Gender Equality panel

Clymer, Fukushima, Leturia and Modi in the Gender Equality panel

Sandberg delivers the Gender Equality panel presentation

Sandberg introduced the Gender Equality panel

Leturia, along with Charles Clymer, Glen Fukushima and Kunal Modi shared their experiences and points of view about ways to achieve gender equality from the male perspective. As Sheryl Sanberg said in her presentation, “We’re not going to get to a more equal world if this is a conversation about women, amongst women. This isn’t about women. This is about all of us. And it will take men’s voices, along with women to make a difference… That’s why I’m so excited the Fulbright Association has worked on pulling together this panel. And I’m so excited to have this conversation about gender equality led by, and fully participated in by men.”

Though much of DC was shut down we were able to have a beautiful reception at the Diplomatic Rooms of the U.S. State Department, where Harriet Mayor Fulbright, Tom Healy, Chairman of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and John Vogel, President of the Fulbright Association, among others, were present.

Mary Ellen Schmider, Vive President of the Fulbright Association, presented in the panel, "Fulbrighters in Action Volunteering Internationally: Iran & the Balkans".

Mary Ellen Schmider, Vice President of the Fulbright Association, presented in the panel, “Fulbrighters in Action Volunteering Internationally: Iran & the Balkans”.

Another highlight of the conference was the screening of the documentary “Zuluhoops” by Columbia College professor Kristin Pichaske, who shot the footage during her Fulbright in South Africa. The documentary depicted the story of Ken Mukai, a Fulbrighter from Los Angeles, who used basketball to teach and connect with his students in a remote town of the country.

On the last day of the conference another film, “Death Metal Angola,” which is making the rounds of various film festivals was shown. This movie was the closing activity of three days full of lively discussion both in sessions and on panels everyday.

Elio Leturia, Judy Meredith, James Meredith, Ana GIl-García and Patti Powell

Elio Leturia, Judy Meredith, James Meredith, Ana GIl-García and Patti Powell. James Meredith, a civil rights movement icon, presented in the Diversity luncheon.

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More book donations!

Posted on September 23, 2013 by | Leave a comment
The goal is to collect 5,000 books to donate to socioeconomically deprived schools in other countries.

The goal is to collect 5,000 books to donate to socioeconomically deprived schools in other countries.

THE FULBRIGHT BOOK PARTNERSHIP Program keeps going strong. Book donations have also come from Chicago Public Schools. The following schools have donated approximately 1,200 books and instructional materials: Peterson Elementary School, Ebinger Elementary School, Bateman Elementary School, and Sandoval Elementary School. Thorp Elementary is donating 90 boxes of books this week.  We will soon pick up more books and materials from Thurgood Marshall Middle School as well.  We are very appreciative of the range of materials we have received from these schools.  They have donated picture books, novels, textbooks, and a variety of educational resources for teachers.

Lindop School in Broadview donated many books and resources for schools in need.  We appreciate so many schools in the Chicago area helping our efforts to collect books for schools in Macedonia and Ethiopia.  We are also very appreciative of our board members Ana Gil-García, her son Julián Serafin, Regina Mamou and José Rodríguez for helping to pick up these books from the schools.

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