ROTARY LUNCH August 8, 2017: Nina Willner, Russia

Nina Willner, a former U.S. Army CPT, was the first female to run intelligence operations on Soviet territory during the Cold War. Following a career in intelligence, Nina worked in Russia, Belarus, and the Czech Republic for the U.S. government in the fields of human rights and rule of law and later for a number of NGOs and charities, focusing mainly on education and women’s and children’s causes. She currently lives in D.C. and Istanbul.

In October 2016, HarperCollins William Morrow published Nina’s book entitled Forty Autumns:  A Family’s Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall. The book is a history of the Cold War that pieces together the tale of Nina’s family divided by the Iron Curtain for more than forty years.

In her presentation, Nina will discuss Russian authoritarianism in the Cold War and today’s global threat to democracy.

This is a weekly membership meeting for The Rotary Club of San Francisco, open to all Rotarians, visiting Rotarians, prospective members and guests.

Each luncheon meeting includes three-course lunch from Scala's Bistro. Individual lunch tickets are $40, or purchase a book of four tickets for the discounted price of $145. Cash, check and credit card payment options available. Tickets available for purchase at the door.