Lawrence Mascarenhas, Chicago

Chicago, Dec 21: Vissia D'Souza has been elected the president of Mangalorean Konkan Christian Association (MKCA), USA for the year 2016 - 2017.

Also, Roshni Carvalho was elected the vice-president, Queenie Mendonca the secretary, Mercy Concesso the joint secretary and Dorothy Rego the treasurer, during the election for the office-bearers of MKCA executive committee held recently.

President-elect Vissia D'Souza in her acceptance speech said, "Although all the members of the committee are women who are bringing the diversity and new perspectives to the association, the strong and unwavering support from everyone will make this association reach new heights and usefulness." She invited the members to take an active role in its future programmes and help her to unite Mangalurean Christians in and around Chicago to form a strong community.

The all-women executive committee members' election was not by choice but by chance. Vissia D'Souza was an active member of MKCA from its inception and served in many other positions in the past. She has inherited leadership skills as she is the daughter of the late G L D'Lima, the Congress leader from Kundapur and the past president of Kundapur municipality. Other members are also experienced and have served the association in various capacities - Roshni as secretary; Queenie as past president; Mercy as treasurer and Dotty as joint secretary.

The newly-elected executive committee has assured that it will rise to the everyone's expectations and take the Association to greater heights. Some members jokingly hinted that all women committee is the indication that the USA is ready to elect a woman President in 2016 general election year!