Elizabeth Usovicz Honored at White House as One of Rotary's "Women of ImageAction"

Elizabeth Usovicz, a member of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club and a Past District Governor of District 6040, was honored on October 7 on Rotary Day at the White House in Washington as one of 10 Rotary “Women of Action” in the United States. Rotary International and the White House recognized the women for their professional achievements and volunteer efforts to improve the lives of others, noting the important role that women play in advancing economic development and in the empowerment of women and girls.

The 10 honorees have led Rotarians in their districts in projects and programs from AIDS treatment and prevention to special education, from malaria prevention to job training.  They hailed from Alaska to Atlanta, from California to New Jersey. Tina Tchien, Chief of Staff for First Lady Michelle Obama, was the featured speaker at the ceremony; she described the many programs Ms. Obama and the White House are involved in to improve the lives of women and girls.

In a two-day whirlwind trip, Elizabeth and her husband, Dean Mathewson, and District Governor Cassy Venters (who nominated Elizabeth for the honor) and PDG Jerry Venters attended a reception at the National Press Club, made a quick tour of the East Wing of the White House, and had lunch at and a quick tour of the World Bank headquarters building.  For photos of the events in Washington, check out the  album at left, “Women of Action” Photos.  More photos will be added later. (Pictured: Dean Mathewson, Elizabeth Usovicz, Jerry Venters, Cassy Venters, and Larry Lunsford, outside the White House East Room on October 7)