When Galina N. Karelova came to the U.S. three years ago as part of an Open World delegation focusing on women’s issues, she had already made her mark as Chair of the Confederation of Women Professionals and built a reputation for her work on domestic violence issues. Today, this Open World alumna is Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, appointed in April 2003 by President Vladimir Putin.

Over the years, Ms. Karelova has actively worked to improve the lives of women in Russia. In addition to being a former professor and laureate prizewinner of the Lenin Komsomol (the highest award for young creative masters of art and culture), she has advocated for legislation against domestic violence as a deputy in the Russian State Duma.

Open World provided an opportunity for Ms. Karelova, then Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Development, to exchange ideas and information with American leaders on domestic violence issues. Ms. Karelova and her fellow Russian delegates were hosted in July 2000 by Rep. Mark Souder (IN) on a visit coordinated by the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC).

AFPC organized meetings in Washington, DC, and Fort Wayne, IN. In Washington, the delegation met with, among others, Melanne Verveer, then Chief of Staff to First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Theresa Loar, then Director of the President’s Interagency Council on Women at the U.S. State Department. The delegation also met with then Rep. Connie Morella (MD), a supporter of legislation battling domestic violence, and Senator Joseph Biden, the coauthor of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act.

In Fort Wayne, IN, the delegation met with representatives from the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office and made site visits to a women’s health clinic, a retirement community, and the local YMCA. Following her return to Russia, Ms. Karelova maintained close contact with the Open World Program and helped identify other political leaders to be invited to the U.S. under the auspices of Open World.

"I have met with Galina Karelova several times in Russia and in Washington and I have been impressed with the way she works with her colleagues in and out of government to bring about positive change in her country," said Melanne Verveer, who is now Board of Directors Chair at Vital Voices Global Partnership, an Open World host organization since 2002.

"Minister Karelova, a distinguished alumna of the Open World and Vital Voices programs, has used her experience in the programs to advance issues of importance to women and their families. She recognizes the obligations and opportunities of her public office, and I have seen firsthand how she has worked to address challenges ranging from combating domestic violence to promoting small business."

Ms. Karelova is continuing to make strides in Russia to advance women’s rights, and Open World congratulates this prominent Russian leader on her many achievements.

Published by The PBN Company for the Open World Leadership Center, whose Open World Program has hosted nearly 9,000 citizens from Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan since its inception in 1999. The Center is an independent legislative branch agency that works cooperatively with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. executive and judicial branch agencies. For additional information, please visit the Open World Leadership Center's website at www.openworld.gov or contact the office at +1 202-707-8943.