Mrs. Maria Pou Brito del Pino Lacalle was the First Lady of Uruguay (1990-1995), wife of former president Luis Alberto Lacalle. During that time, she directed the Red Cross, the National Commission on Families and the Action Solidarity Association. For her work, she was awarded the Inter-American Humanism Award by the Organization of American States. She was also a National Senator of the republic and is currently a columnist for El PAIS, the leading newspaper of Uruguay.