Lisa Gebken Thibault

January 2017 Spotlight

The US-China Policy Foundation (USCPF) has recognized Barbara Franklin with its Lifetime Achievement Award in US-China Relations, for her important and ongoing contributions to strengthening the economic and political bonds between the two countries. She received the award in November at the USCPF Annual Gala in Washington, DC.

Barbara served as Secretary of Commerce under President George H.W. Bush, the highest-ranking woman in the Bush administration. As such, she led an historic Presidential mission to China in 1992 with the purpose of normalizing commercial relations with that country. Since that time, Barbara has worked with numerous organizations, made speeches, and traveled overseas to strengthen the relationship between China and the US. She is a board member of the US-China Business Council, National Committee on US-China Relations, Atlantic Council, and Council on Foreign Relations.

Barbara is a 50-year member, and is recognized by the Fraternity as a Notable Theta.