International House at UC Berkeley to Recognize Notable Alumna Baroness Oona King

On May 9th, Oona King will be honored with the I-House Alumna of the Year Award in recognition of her visionary leadership as the Director of Diversity Strategy at Google, as a member of the British Parliament, and as an advocate for human rights.

BERKELEY, Calif. - April 18, 2019 - Californer -- International House (I-House) at UC Berkeley will hold its 31^st Annual Celebration and Awards Gala on Thursday, May 9, 2019. Each year, I-House proudly celebrates and honors distinguished individuals who embody the purpose of I-House to promote a world of greater understanding and peace. I-House Board Chair, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ, will present Baroness Oona King (IH 1989-90), with the I-House Alumna of the Year Award in recognition of her visionary leadership as the Director of Diversity Strategy at Google, as a member of the British Parliament, and as an advocate for human rights. Oona is a member of the House of Lords (a life-time appointment as Baroness King of Bow in January 2011), and former Senior Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister. Baroness King became a member of the House of Commons at the age of 29 – the second woman of color, and 200th woman elected to the British Parliament. Read her bio at ihouse.berkeley.edu/gala.

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Now in its 31^st year, the annual event raises funds to benefit the community of nearly 600 scholars from 77 different countries residing at I-House, while honoring alumni who exemplify the I-House mission of fostering intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills to promote a more peaceful world. "We are thrilled to recognize Baroness Oona King as a champion of International House principles," says Dr. Hans Giesecke, Executive Director of I-House. "The Gala continues to serve as the signature event of I-House that alumni, students, and friends look forward to year after year."

Proceeds from the Gala benefit The Fund for I-House. Bill Howley, Director of Philanthropy at I-House, points to this Fund as an important resource, providing for room and board scholarships and financial aid, mission-centered programming, and preservation of the historic 88-year-old building. "I-House relies on philanthropic support from alumni, foundations, corporations and friends," says Howley.

The Gala will be held on Thursday, May 9^th in Chevron Auditorium at International House, located at 2299 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720. Tickets are $275 per person, or $150 for those under 35 years of age, and can be purchased online at ihouse.berkeley.edu/gala. For more information on our honoree, sponsorship opportunities, or to buy event tickets by phone, please contact Angela Rauch at (510) 642-4128.

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International House is a non-profit living and learning community at the University of California, Berkeley that fosters boundary-breaking discoveries, intercultural friendships, and global leadership for a world of greater understanding. Since 1930, we have served 90,000 students and scholars representing 150+ countries, including the U.S. To learn more about International House, visit ihouse.berkeley.edu.