Executive Director of Reconcile New Orleans Recognized as Outstanding Citizen Diplomat of the Year

Sr. Mary Lou Specha was recognized as one of the two Outstanding Citizen Diplomats of the year by the New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council. At a presentation ceremony on March 25 at Audubon Golf Club, Sr. Mary Lou was recognized for hosting many diplomats and government officials at Café Reconcile, sharing our mission, answering questions, and providing an opportunity for foreign visitors to experience authentic New Orleans cuisine.

The New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council’s (NOCDC) mission is to facilitate professional and personal interaction for international leaders during official visits to New Orleans and the Greater New Orleans area. NOCDC fosters these relationships to enhance respect and communication through international exchanges and to promote the City of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana as important business and cultural center. The NOCDC has also focused on showing leaders and representatives how the city is recovering since Hurricane Katrina. Since 1954 the NOCDC has hosted over 14,000 visitors including over 2,000 cabinet level ministers. Past visitors include Nicolas Sarkozy, Maragaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, and Anwar Sadat.
Sr. Mary Lou was accompanied at the ceremony by Craig Cuccia, Brother Joe Fragala, and David Emond. In receiving the award, Sr. Mary Lou thanked the New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council for bringing visitors to Café Reconcile, and for promoting positive international exchange.