Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008

ACLU names diplomat S.C. executive director

The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the appointment of Victoria Middleton, a career U.S. diplomat, as the new executive director of its South Carolina office.

Middleton most recently served as the director of the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Asia and Western Hemisphere Affairs where she led a team of regional experts who implemented democracy strategies aimed at protecting the freedom of the press, supporting free and fair elections, promoting transparency and the rule of law and encouraging Internet access in countries like Cuba, China, Colombia and Vietnam.

Prior to that, Middleton, a graduate of Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College and the University of California at Berkeley, spent 21 years as a public diplomacy officer for the State Department. In that role, she worked to advance U.S. policies and promote mutual understanding in the Philippines, India, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Finland, according to a press release.

The ACLU South Carolina Office recently completed a survey that gathered statewide and community input on areas of need and prioritization for the office. Community meetings also were held. Middleton will use the information collected to develop additional office priorities in the coming weeks and months.

-- From Staff Reports

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