This is the story of success of a young girl named Judith Gordon, who was born in rural Arkansas to wonderful caring parents. As a young girl, Judith early began setting goals, as she became a Brownie Girl Scout, with her mother as Scout leader. Judith continued to set and achieve higher goals, as she proceeded up the ladder to the senior status of Scouts. In her Junior year of high school, Judith entered competition after competition in Girl Scouts, until she earned the right to spend six weeks in Switzerland, as an International Girl Scout Representative for five Southern States.
As one of twenty-four International Representatives in Switzerland, Judith's horizons were widened, and maintained throughout her life, in a great interest in people, languages, and cultures.
As an undergraduate in Dallas, Texas, Judith studied Spanish and German and went to Puerto Rico as an exchange student for one semester, where she fell in love with the island and the people.
Judith received her graduate degree from Southern Methodist University in Texas, and then returned to Puerto Rico for twenty-five years. Judith married a native of Puerto Rico, and raised a son, Marco Antonio. During this time, Judith taught English as a second language, and English composition and literature at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón.
During her years in Puerto Rico, Judith also studied French, Latin, and some Japanese. Her friends gave her the honorary title of "native" of the island.
Judith came to the University of Illinois to work on her Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics in the early 90's. During this time Judith stayed at Cosmo House and became a supporter of the Cosmopolitan Club, and later a member of the Program Committee for two years, before becoming a Board Member. Judith is at present Vice President of the Cosmopolitan Board of Directors. Judith now teaches in the bi-lingual program at Edison School.
There is a saying "Nothing succeeds like success". This certainly applies to Judith Gordon. Is it any wonder that Judith was chosen by the Cosmopolitan Board to be the recipient of the 2004 Cosmopolitan Club Achievement Award?
Congratulations, Judith Gordon!
