Elizabeth Rohatyn has had a long career in public service, and has been active in the cultural, educational and philanthropic life in New York. While her interest and successes have been diverse, she has been particularly active in efforts to keep attention focused on the issue of public education and the role of libraries in American life.
During Felix Rohatyn's tenure as United States Ambassador to France from 1997 through 2000, Mrs. Rohatyn founded FRAME (French Regional & American Museum Exchange). It is the first bilateral coalition of regional art museums dedicated to promoting French/American co-operation. It has forged new partnerships among 18 institutions.
Mrs. Rohatyn continues her service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the New York Public Library, an institution where she previously was Chairman of the Board. She is also Honorary Chairman of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.
School reform and the use of technology to enhance education are areas in which she has worked extensively to move the public agenda ahead. She was founder and is the Chairman of Teaching Matters Inc., a non-profit education organization whose mission is to help teachers learn to use technology effectively in the classroom. She also served as a board member of New York's New Visions for Public Schools and as Vice Chairman of WNET/Channel 13. As a sponsor of the "I Have a Dream" project, she directed a program to lead 53 children at risk through their last six years of school, graduation and four years of College. She also founded Technology Empowerment Collaborative, a consortium of New York City academic institutions to advance the role of technology in education.
She has served in a variety of advisory capacities including on NYC Mayor Dinkins' Educational Advisory Group, on Governor Cuomo's Moreland Commission on Education, and on the Dean's Council of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her contributions to educational reform have been recognized by Bank Street College of Education and Long Island University in the awarding of honorary degrees.
Mrs. Rohatyn was awarded the Legion d'honneur on December 5, 2002.
Mrs. Rohatyn has one daughter and one grandchild.
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