The New Neighbors Club of South Dade is honored to have Donna Shalala, president of the University of Maimi, as guest speaker on Wednesday July 11. She will share with the group “Things My Mother Taught Me.”
A scholar, teacher, and administrator, Shalala personifies outstanding leadership and dedication to public service. Since becoming president in 2001, UM has solidified its position among top U.S. research universities and is now ranked 38th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Shalala received her AB degree in history from Western College for Women and her master’s and PhD from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. She served as president of Hunter College from 1980 to 1987 and chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1987 to 1993.
Shalala served as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Carter Administration, from 1977 to 1980. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Shalala as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. During her eight-year tenure, she directed Welfare, FDA, and Medicare reform initiatives and dramatically expanded children’s health insurance coverage and immunization rates.
Shalala continues to play a prominent role in efforts to improve healthcare on the national and international level. In 2007 she was appointed by President George W. Bush to co-chair with Senator Bob Dole the Commission on Care for Returning Wounded Warriors. In June 2008, Shalala received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.
The luncheon and program takes place at the Coral Gables Country Club, 997 N. Greenway Dr. Social time begins at 11 a.m. followed by the luncheon and program. Cost of this event is $25 and reservations are required. Deadline for reservations is 6 p.m., Thursday, July 5; contact Barbara Tracy at 305-275-4641 or send email to tracy_Barbara@hotmail.com.
