Medill Prof. Michele Weldon has been invited to the White House today for the unveiling of a policy initiative on domestic violence by President Bush.

Weldon’s first book, “I Closed My Eyes,” chronicles her personal experiences with domestic violence, where she said she speaks about 20 to 30 times per year on the topic.

“It’s so ironic that what I get recognition for is the worst thing that happened in my life,” Weldon said.

About 100 people from across the United States were invited to attend. Weldon said she received a phone call Friday from a White House spokesperson and spent the weekend arranging her travel plans, lesson plans for her newswriting class and childcare for her three children.

Weldon was named assistant professor after teaching as a Medill lecturer for two years and as an adjunct faculty member for five years. She said her work as a domestic violence advocate, like her journalism career, involves issues of truth-telling and accuracy.

After completing her trip, Weldon will travel to Boston on Thursday to meet with Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Romney chose “I Closed My Eyes” in September for the Step Up And Read program, an initiative of the Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence. Weldon said that trip was planned before she heard from the White House last week.

— Elaine Helm