Dr. Vida Davoudi Former Rotary Exchange Student and Former Member of Iranian Parliament

Rotary Club of Humble Intercontinental Program Speaker

January 25th, 2012

Dr. Vida Davoudi

Political Science Professor, Lonestar College – Kingwood

Speech Topic

My Experience as a Rotary Exchange Student in 1962-63 and My Impression of America.

Dr. Vida Davoudi has a story to tell.  She served in the Iranian Parliament decades ago (1975-

1979)  and was one of very few females.  And guess how she first visited the United States? 

A Rotary sponsored trip!  She has an appreciation and love for Rotary, and she has spoken to many  Rotary clubs over the years.

In Dr. Davouidi words, she wants to talk about her experience as a Rotary Exchange Student In 1962-63 and her impression of America..

Dr. Davoudi was born in Tehran, Iran and came to the United States in 1962 as a Rotary Exchange Student. She returned to Iran and won a full scholarship at The American University of Beirut. She left Lebanon after receiving her bachelor’s degree and returned to the U.S. where she received her Master's and Ph.D from Southern Illinois University in Political Science. Again, she returned to Iran and ran a very Americanized campaign and was elected as the youngest member of the Iranian parliament in 1975. She left Iran at the onset of the Iranian revolution (late 1978, early 1979). Dr. Davoudi is passionate about promoting world peace and bringing a greater understanding between the major world religions and cultures through frank and constructive dialogues.