Following the group’s Tuesday evening arrival in Atlanta from Kansas City, their first activity was an Independence Day picnic, where they were the guests of GCIV members Ron and Bethany Lane. They enjoyed a picnic lunch followed by fireworks in Stone Mountain Park.
On Thursday morning, the visitors had the opportunity to meet with Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel. Secretary Handel discussed the significance of women in state politics and the challenges faced by female elected officials. That afternoon, the visitors traveled to Agnes Scott College to meet with Dr. Elizabeth Hackett, an Associate Professor of Women’s Studies. Dr. Hackett discussed Agnes Scott College’s unique role as an all-female institution and the role of women in higher education. The visitors concluded their day with a visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site.
The next morning, the delegation met with Ms. Janet Tharp, Executive Director of Cool Girls Inc. Ms. Tharp discussed how her organization helps teen girls make positive choices to achieve academic success and overcome the barriers of racism and sexism. That afternoon, the visitors met with Ms. Joyce LaValle, the Senior Vice President of Associate and Customer Engagement from Interface Americas. Ms. LaValle talked about women and leadership issues in the United States as well as the position of women in the business sector. For their final meeting, the group had the opportunity to meet with Georgia State Representative Sheila Jones. Representative Jones discussed the significance of women in local politics and her experiences as an elected representative. On Saturday, the visitors flew home to Ukraine.
GCIV was honored to have these distinguished visitors come to Georgia and meet with our state's many valuable professional resources. We hope their experiences here in Atlanta gave them a first-hand view of the diversity of the United States and a new perspective on women's participation in government, business, and the community.
| 
