U. prof shares gamut of experience

Topics such as sanitary child birthing, politics and domestic violence don't usually come up in the same conversation. But each was a featured point of discussion when a group of Penn students, both undergraduates and graduates, met yesterday for a Robert A. Fox Leadership luncheon with Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky. The luncheon was part of a series designed to allow a forum for the Penn community to get to know some of the more distinguished professors on campus. The luncheon followed a loose question-and-answer format during which students asked about many aspects of Margolies-Mezvinsky's life. Margolies-Mezvinsky -- a former Congresswoman from Pennsylvania, Emmy award-winning television journalist, director of the United States delegation to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, and now a senior lecturer at the Fels Institute of Government at Penn and chair of Women's Campaign International, a political training group for women -- passed around tokens of her past, including news clippings of stories she once covered, a sanitary birthing kit from her WCI experience in Katmandu and pictures of three of her grandchildren. Despite all her achievements, Margolies-Mezvinsky said she is most proud of her work as a mother to 25 children -- 11 of which are her or her husband's kids and 14 more from refugee families. As the first single woman in the U.S. to adopt a foreign child, she addressed the difficulties she encountered while attempting to complete the process the first time. The child "was the youngest student, at age 6, to ever enter the United States," she said. "Then, it was difficult for a single parent to adopt a child in the United States. When I was in Congress, we changed that law, and it's easier now." Margolies-Mezvinsky credited her parents for pushing her to follow her passions, and she cited her mother and one of her aunts as two of her role models, along with Eleanor Roosevelt and several other literary figures. She went on to describe the importance of student involvement in advocacy groups at all levels, whether it concerns the campus, city, country or world. "Create your own path," she said. "Leadership skills come from deciding what you want to do and going to do it." One student questioned Margolies-Mezvinsky about how she has dealt with the many problems that are bound to arise with a lifestyle as busy as hers. "My philosophy has always been that there aren't a lot of things that are important," she said. "A sick child is important, but most things aren't. I can't stand drama queens -- you won't remember that guy's name in a week... just get over it." College sophomore Erin O'Brien was struck by Margolies-Mezvinsky's honesty and drive to break gender boundaries. "I have an interest in studying and working to change patterns of domestic violence," O'Brien said. "She has done a lot of firsts for women, and her interests match mine a lot." College junior Lauren Purdo, who organized the luncheon, echoed her statements. "I heard her speak on a panel and was struck by her impressive accomplishments and character," she said. "Her character and leadership style fit in well with what [the Fox Leadership Program] tries to promote in Penn students." As for the future, Margolies-Mezvinsky said that she isn't sure what is in store for her next. She is writing a fifth book and plans to continue her work as chair of the WCI, which is currently in the process of planning summer trips to Malawi and Nicaragua. "I don't really know the answer," she said. "I'll just wait and see."