News

On March 2, AAFSW welcomed more than forty guests for our 17th annual Women’s History Month panel discussion. This year’s theme,“The Role of Women in Democracy, the Military, and Diplomacy”, invited us to reflect on the extraordinary ways women have shaped our world.

Women’s History Month reminds us that progress rarely unfolds under perfect circumstances. Throughout history, women have stepped forward in times of uncertainty, showing courage, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to justice and freedom. They did not wait for ideal conditions, they acted, adapted, and led with vision. Their example continues to guide us today.

Sheila Switzer, AAFSW Program Chair and I were honored to host three remarkable women whose careers reflect this enduring spirit:

• H.E. Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould Boide, Mauritania’s Ambassador to the United States, is the first woman to hold this post. Her distinguished career includes service as Mauritania’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO and as Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports. She has long championed cultural diplomacy, sustainable development, and women’s leadership across the African continent.

• Major General (Ret.) Donna Feigley Barbisch, DHA, MPH, CEO of Wicked Solutions, LLC, brings more than 38 years of military service, beginning as a young nurse in Vietnam and culminating as a U.S. Army Major General. A nationally recognized expert in terrorism preparedness and disaster response, she has advised federal agencies on chemical, biological, and nuclear threat readiness and commanded the 350th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

• Ms. Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States, leads one of the nation’s most influential nonpartisan voting rights organizations. Under her leadership, the League reached more than 30 million voters during the 2024 election cycle. Her career includes roles as Chief Counsel and Senior Director of Advocacy at the League, as well as legal counsel to Georgia Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and legislative work in the Michigan Legislature.

Their stories, spanning diplomacy, military leadership, and civic engagement, reminded us that women have long been at the forefront of strengthening democracy, safeguarding national security, and expanding the promise of participation for all.

AAFSW extends heartfelt thanks to AFSA President John Dinkelman and his team, whose gracious support made it possible to host this program on very short notice. His partnership ensured that this important conversation could take place at a pivotal moment.

As the program concluded, Ambassador Boide praised the long, determined struggle of American women who fought for their rights and continue to defend them today. She spoke movingly about how much she has learned from her exposure to American women during her diplomatic tenure, lessons she carries with her and shares with young women back home in Mauritania. Her words reminded us that women’s progress anywhere strengthens women everywhere.

Our guests expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to gather, learn, and celebrate the women who continue to shape our shared future. In their spirit, we move forward—strong, steady, and undeterred. AAFSW is grateful for this program filled with energy and purpose, because women must never be silenced.

This month highlighted the extraordinary strength, compassion, and resilience of the Foreign Service community. Even amid global uncertainty and rapid operational demands, AAFSW has witnessed an inspiring outpouring of support from our members, sister organizations, and partners across the diplomatic landscape. The way this community steps forward, quietly, consistently, and without hesitation, remains one of our greatest sources of pride.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including the recent escalation involving Iran, has placed significant pressure on families and employees across multiple agencies. Rapid evacuations, heightened security concerns, and continuous ESN coordination have required extraordinary effort. One moment, captured on this picture I am sharing, represents this spirit of service occurred at 4:00 a.m. at Dulles Airport, where volunteers from GCLO, military personnel, and the Dulles support team gathered to welcome families arriving under difficult circumstances. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming, and it reflects the very best of who we are.

Throughout these challenges, AAFSW has remained a steady and trusted resource, helping families manage stress, access support, and stay connected. This continuity of care is central to our mission and to the community we serve.

We are also pleased to share that work is underway on the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) Impact Report, generously funded by the Una Chapman Cox Foundation. This report will document the remarkable contributions of SOSA awardees and honor the many individuals who have supported the awards from their conception through decades of maintenance and legacy, without interruption. We extend our sincere thanks to Ambassador (Ret.) Jo Ellen Powell, Executive Director of the Uma Chapman Cox Foundation, and her colleagues for their steadfast support of this important initiative.

As part of the 2025 Gala donation, AAFSW, together with the leadership of The Tree House of Montgomery County THMC), presented a contribution from our 2025 Holiday Gala to support their vital work with children and families. The Board received heartfelt thanks from THMC for this meaningful support, which reflects our ongoing commitment to community partnerships and positive impact.

Looking ahead, AAFSW is exploring the creation of an annual, ongoing initiative to support oral history projects highlighting the experiences of spouses and partners serving at hardship and high-impact posts. These stories, often shaped by significant personal and professional challenges, are essential to understanding the full Foreign Service experience. We envision a network of volunteer spouse/partner oral historians, supported with training to ensure consistency and quality. This initiative has strong potential to enrich our organization, preserve important narratives, and offer meaningful opportunities for members to contribute. Once a point of contact is identified, we will share this initiative with our stakeholders to help capture more of these powerful stories. AAFSW is grateful to Susan R. Johnson, President of the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST), and her colleagues for their partnership and encouragement throughout this project moving forward. Their commitment to preserving diplomatic history and elevating the stories of our community has been invaluable.

Through every transition and challenge, AAFSW continues to stand on the foundation built by decades of dedicated volunteers, leaders, and supporters. Their commitment, and yours, ensures that our community remains strong, connected, and resilient. Together, we are honoring our past, supporting our present, and building a vibrant future for the Foreign Service family.

Warmly,

Celine 

Celine Ford, President, AAFSW

March18, 2026

AAFSW and the Evacuee Support Network (ESN) are deeply grateful to GCLO and all of our volunteers for the partnership, care, and coordination shown in welcoming our embassy personnel and their families back home. The outpouring of support has been extraordinary, and our community is stronger because of it. Thank you!

Learn more about the ESN here: https://www.aafsw.org/Evacuee-Support

Dear AAFSW Community,

With deepest sadness, AAFSW announces the passing of Moises Mendoza. Moises was a person whose deep care for others often made it easy to overlook that he, too, deserved compassion. His dedication and commitment to the Foreign Service community enriched our organization and touched countless lives. He embodied the very spirit of service that AAFSW and the SOSA program strive to honor, and his example will continue to guide and inspire us.

My own experience working with him comes from his role as Chair of the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) within the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW). After joining the AAFSW Board in 2022, Moises took responsibility for every aspect of the SOSA program, which honors exceptional volunteer service by those under Chief of Mission authority at U.S. diplomatic and consular posts overseas.

In this role, Moises made a remarkable effort to recognize the often-unseen contributions of Foreign Service community members who go above and beyond, serving with extraordinary dedication and achieving the unexpected. One of his deepest commitments was to honor the many Foreign Service professionals who devote their lives to advancing American values and stewardship around the world.

Moises cared profoundly about humanity and understood the deeply personal nature of serving one’s country. He believed this understanding should be a tool, ensuring that service never became a burden carried alone. In an increasingly complex and noisy world, his message may at times have been overlooked. Yet his legacy is tremendous, and his substantial commitment to doing good will continue to be recognized.

With a master’s degree from Columbia University and the Hertie School of Governance, and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, Moises was also the recipient of the 2019 W. Averell Harriman Award for constructive dissent by an entry-level Foreign Service Officer. His service included assignments in Matamoros; Port-au-Prince, Haiti, as a political officer; Washington, D.C., as a country desk officer and watch officer in the State Department’s Operations Center; and most recently as a special assistant in the Executive Office of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Moises leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion, and strength. His integrity and empathy shaped every community he touched, and those of us who worked with him will carry his example forward. His impact endures, in the people he uplifted and in the values he lived so fully.

You can learn more about Moises in this video.

Celine

Celine Ford

President

February 17, 2026

Reminder: reach out to a mental health professional, 988 Lifeline, or ForeignASN@gmail.com if you need additional support. Current Department employees can also contact Employee Consultation Services (MEDECS@state.gov, 202-235-7475, option 3).   

AAFSW's yearly merit scholarships are now open for the children of member families! The deadline for submitting all materials is April 17, 2026.  Click here for the scholarship application page which includes all information and forms. 

AAFSW offers two unique types of scholarships per year for member families. Plus, all applicants are considered for the Best Essay Scholarship ($1000 award) and the Judy Felt Memorial Scholarship for Volunteering ($1000 award).

AAFSW’s Merit Scholarship

Rewards academic excellence and involvement for current college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors continuing college. Two scholarships are available for $2,500 each. 

AAFSW’s Twice Exceptional Merit Scholarship

Rewards academic excellence for high school seniors and/or college students who have shown resilience and have academically overcome adversity due to special needs. The AAFSW Twice Exceptional Scholarship is meant for high school seniors and/or college students who already have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). a 504, or an equivalent program in place. Two scholarships are available for $2,500 each.

Learn more about our scholarships.

Applications are now closed.

Created in 1960, the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) is a membership-based non-profit association.  AAFSW is affiliated with the U.S. Department of State as an employee service organization.  We work to support the needs of the U.S. Foreign Affairs Community, including Foreign Service and Civil Service employees, spouses, partners, members of household and retirees.  AAFSW is an equal opportunity employer.

AAFSW is looking for a contractor responsible for creating visual materials for a wide spectrum of programs and initiatives. The digital designer will focus on the visual design of the project and work closely with Board, Committee Chairs, AAFSW volunteers, contractors, and other internal clients to deliver visually appealing and effective cross-platform solutions (print and digital). This is a remote, low volume, contract position with several large annual projects. Some events may require a quick turnaround.

Responsibilities:

●     Work with AAFSW Board, Committee Chairs, AAFSW volunteers, contractors, and other internal clients located across various time zones to create advertising materials that effectively communicate design concepts.

●     Work with Content Committee to ensure that the solutions meet organization’s quality standards.

●     Assist with concept development, branding and collateral materials for print and digital design projects.

●     Manage AAFSW digital library in compliance with the Collaborative Workspace Policy (CWP).

●     Edit, treat, and resize images and graphics for various media including print, website, and social media.

●     The Graphic Designer must be experienced in Adobe Creative Suite applications and Canva.

●     Manage multiple projects and deadlines in an organized manner.

Skills:

●     Demonstrated interest in benefiting the U.S. Foreign Service community.

●     Strong Adobe Creative Suite skills (including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) and Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher), and familiarity with the Canva application.

●     Experience working with print vendors and website developers is a plus.

●     Strong observation, communication, critical-thinking skills, as well as attention to detail.

●     English language proficiency.

How to apply:

●     Please send CV, letter of interest, and examples of your work to efmemployment@aafsw.org. 

●       Deadline is COB February 4, 2026 (Eastern Time). 

Thank you for your interest in and support for the Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA).

RESCHEDULED: The Virtual Awards Meet & Greet has been postponed. A new date will be confirmed soon. An invitation with the connection details will be sent to all members.

This Meet and Greet remains an important part of AAFSW’s ongoing commitment to honoring the outstanding contributions of the SOSA and CCE‑EFM awardees and to maintaining a sense of community and celebration despite the cancellation of the traditional ceremony.

Dear AAFSW Members, Friends and Community,

As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we reflect on the resilience and commitment that define our community. With this spirit, AAFSW remains dedicated to serving the Foreign Affairs community.  

I am very grateful to Karina Hou, Director of the Chinese American Museum, for inviting me to represent AAFSW at the 34th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. International Salute Breakfast. Diplomats, community leaders, and civic organizations gathered to honor Dr. King’s global legacy. The program emphasized service, unity, and international cooperation, with reflections on Dr. King's message of shared humanity. Held at the Intercontinental Hotel the Willard in Washington, DC, the event continued its tradition of recognizing those who embody Dr. King’s commitment to justice and community service.

On January 14, 2026, AAFSW launched its program year with a meaningful program at the National Press Club, one of Washington’s most iconic institutions, and a place where politics, media, and public policy intersect. The visit highlighted the Club’s long‑standing mission as a gathering place for journalists, communicators and its enduring role in supporting a free and independent press.

AAFSW will host the Secretary of State Awards (SOSA) / CCE‑EFM virtual Meet and Greet on January 30, 2026. Because of the cancellation of the 2025 traditional ceremony, AAFSW will hold a virtual meet and greet with the awardees and AAFSW Board of Directors. We are delighted to open it to all AAFSW members. The SOSA team will send an invitation to all AAFSW members. Meanwhile, the SOSA Committee continues its work on the SOSA Impact Report, a project made possible through the support of the Uma Chapman Cox Foundation, Ambassador Jo Ellen Powell, and her dedicated team. The report will be documenting the legacy of our awardees and reaffirming AAFSW’s commitment to honoring their selfless service and lasting impact across the globe.

AAFSW is deeply grateful to our individual donors and to all who have attended our programs, events, and fundraisers. Your sustained support strengthens our mission and allows us to continue serving the Foreign Affairs community with purpose and care.

We invite you to stay informed about our upcoming programs, events and community coffees. We look forward to engaging with you soon.  

Warmly,

Celine Ford

AAFSW Opens 2026 with a Guided Tour of the Historic National Press Club, “a place where politics, media, and public policy intersect”

January 15, 2026

AAFSW launched its 2026 program year with a memorable visit to one of Washington’s most iconic institutions: the National Press Club. On January 14, 2026, members gathered for a convivial luncheon at The Reliable Source, the Club’s signature restaurant, followed by a guided tour of its historic rooms.

Since its founding in 1908, the National Press Club has been a central hub in Washington for news, public affairs, and civic discussions. Each year, it hosts more than two thousand events, welcoming U.S. presidents, world leaders, senior officials, and prominent figures in media, business, sports, and culture. The luncheon series, started in 1942, has featured speakers such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle, Elizabeth Taylor, and Nelson Mandela.

Mr. Myron Belkind welcomed our members and guests, a forty-two-year career journalist with The Associated Press included assignments as foreign correspondent and bureau chief in Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, London, and Tokyo. Myron graduated from The Ohio State University and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, where he earned a Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship. Myron later served as the Club’s 107th President in 2014. After retiring from the AP, he taught news writing and reporting at George Washington University (2005–2023) and led journalism seminars for the U.S. Department of State in Serbia, Montenegro, Azerbaijan, Albania, and the United Arab Emirates.

Mark Schoeff Jr., the National Press Club’s 2026 President, greeted our group and highlighted the Club’s mission as a professional home for journalists and communicators and its role in supporting a free and independent press.

Following lunch, members toured the First Amendment Lounge and other historic spaces. Throughout the visit, Myron shared vivid stories from his decades in journalism, from covering Princess Diana to reporting on Indira Gandhi, and offered insights into the evolution of global news reporting.

Guests also learned about the Press Freedom Center, established in 2014 to support journalists facing detention, threats, or exile. The Center offers advocacy, emergency help, and public education initiatives during a period of growing global press freedom challenges.

AAFSW extends its warm thanks to Sheila Switzer, AAFSW Program Chair, and Myron Belkind for making our first program of 2026 both inspiring and deeply informative. The visit offered a powerful reminder of the National Press Club’s enduring role as a guardian of press freedom and a vibrant gathering place at the heart of Washington’s civic life.

Thank you to all who attended and for your continued support.

Celine

Celine Ford, AAFSW President

Remember the necklaces, bracelets, or rings you bought at your earlier posts? Ever ask yourself: “What am I going to do with all that jewelry I’ve collected over the years?” The answer is simple: The Associates of the American Foreign Service (AAFSW) Art and Book Fair (ABF). 

The jewelry booth is a fun and important part of ABF. Our lifestyle and taste changes over the years.  Consider letting someone else enjoy wearing the beautiful pieces you have collected.

We can use your jewelry (no broken pieces, please). While we  love ethnic pieces, most jewelry is welcome.

Proceeds from ABF go to the AAFSW scholarships and programs.  

Who can join AAFSW? YOU can! AAFSW welcomes all active duty and retired Foreign Service and Civil Service people. Your spouse is automatically a member.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Call Bookroom Manager Brian Neumann: (202) 223-5796

Art & Book Fair Co-Chair Anne Kauzlarich: anne.kauzlarich@aafsw.org

Art & BookFair Co-Chair Kathleen Austin-Ferguson: kathleen.austin@aafsw.org

We look forward to chatting with you about your donation.