Former U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao will visit Bellarmine University to discuss her perspectives on business and politics on Wednesday, October 22, at 7 p.m.

The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place in the Wyatt Center for the Arts and will be followed by a question and answer session. [campus map]

Chao, the first Kentucky woman ever appointed to a president's cabinet, will discuss her story as a Chinese immigrant, her journey to success as a minority woman in the business world and her thoughts on the confluence of politics and business.

Her appearance is being organized by a student group, the College Republicans of Bellarmine. "We wanted to bring Secretary Chao to campus to share her story as a strong Kentucky woman working her way to success in both the business and political world," said Bellarmine junior Hunter Collins, the group's chairman. "Both students and members of the community alike can benefit from her knowledge and experience."

The eldest in a family of six daughters, Chao has devoted her life to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to build better lives. As the 24th Secretary of the Department of Labor under former President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, she led a department that achieved record results in workplace safety and health.

Prior to her time at the Department of Labor, Chao was president and CEO of United Way of America and director of the Peace Corps. She earned her MBA from Harvard Business School and is the recipient of 34 honorary doctorate degrees. She is married to the Republican Leader of the United States Senate, Mitch McConnell, and lives in Louisville.