On Tuesday, June 27th, the Council celebrated Buntzie Ellis Churchill's more than 40 years of service to the World Affairs Council, 23 as its president. The evening began as a crowd of well-wishers greeted Buntzie at a reception, where the guest of honor was absolutely glowing. Well-wishers honored Buntzie's long-standing love affair with hats by wearing a dazzling array of them.

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Buntzie was then presented with a special video tribute, featuring "cameos" from many Council members, friends, directors and staff. Following this touching tribute, Buntzie was saluted by Council director Ed Satell and warmly toasted by Professor Bernard Lewis and all the assembled guests.

President-elect Claudia McBride and Director of Education Margaret Lonzetta presented Buntzie with a custom-designed scarf based on an original watercolor by Council member and artist Carol Kirkwood, as well as with the watercolor itself.

Moving the entire audience to tears, Dr. Eric Churchill lovingly toasted his mother, followed by former Chicago Council president Dr. John Rielly, and Council director Richard Woosnam and Diane Dalto-Woosnam.

Buntzie was given her own PECO Energy's Crown Lights Message that evening — a fitting tribute to one of the region's brightest lights!

Civic leaders in Philadelphia say we are becoming a world-class city.

That's old hat to Buntzie Ellis Churchill, who retires today after 23 years as president of the Philadelphia World Affairs Council. The council has hosted the likes of Mikhail Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Al Gore and George W. Bush during her tenure.

Churchill's dynamism has made the Philadelphia council one of the top organizations of its kind in the country, and has offered its citizens a chance to hear debate on the most pressing international issues. Just recently, for example, the council hosted a conference on Islam and the West that featured Vice President Cheney, Sen. Joe Biden (D., Del), Francis Fukuyama, Bernard Lewis, and Dutch parliamentarian Ayan Hirsi Ali.

A local girl, raised at 28th and Lehigh, Churchill has presided with verve. She always wore one of her large, trademark hats as she introduced heads of state, media personalities, government leaders, CEOs, scholars, and authors to Philadelphians. When Philadelphia was still burdened with an inferiority complex, Churchill knew its citizenry wanted connection with global issues, and she provided the venue.

She also knew young Philadelphians needed the same connection and played a key role in the founding of the William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs. The World Affairs Council has continued to nurture Bodine, while fostering an outreach program that reaches around 30,000 students a year.

As she hands off to incoming president Claudia McBride, Churchill leaves behind a terrific organization. So, "Hats off to Buntzie" for bringing the world to us.