World Affairs at the Portsmouth Library Hosts Talk May 26

In conjunction with the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire, this spring the Portsmouth Public Library has hosted several speakers on global issues, according to a press release.

On Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m., the library will host Harvard Kennedy School of Government Professor Victoria Budson, speaking on women in public policy and positions of leadership.

Budson is the founding Executive Director of the Women and Public Policy Program (WAPPP) at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. WAPPP’s mission is to increase gender equality and improve the lives of women and men across the world by creating and sharing knowledge that helps close gender gaps in economic opportunity, political participation, health, and education.

Budson served on the Department of State steering committee of the Women in Public Service Project initially begun under the leadership of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and continued under Secretary Kerry. In addition, she regularly shares her expertise with the Obama White House on policies to close gender gaps at the national level. As a political appointee of Governor Deval Patrick, Budson chairs the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Budson has also served on numerous Boards of Directors including the National Council for Research on Women (NCRW), iVillage Cares, the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Massachusetts National Abortion Rights Action League, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, Women’s Legislative Network and Alliance, Massachusetts Coalition of Democratic Women, and the Steering Committee for the Massachusetts State Treasury’s Women and Money conference. She also served as an advisor for the development of the United Nations’ University for Peace Masters degree program in International Peace Studies with specialization in Gender and Peace Building.