News

What if you could support a business that truly understands your life?

FSBizHub connects you with vetted Foreign Service entrepreneurs — people who understand the realities of global living, transitions, and service.

For customers, it’s a trusted way to discover unique services and products.

For business owners, it’s a platform to gain visibility and reach a global audience.

It’s more than a directory — it’s a network supporting its own. Built by the community — open to the world.

Because supporting each other doesn’t stop at borders — it grows beyond them.

Visit the FSBizHub at https://www.aafsw.org/business-directory

Explore the directory and support FS entrepreneurs

List your business

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#FSBizHub #SupportSmall #AAFSW

Experience Washington, DC — through a diplomatic lens.

AAFSW’s cultural programming brings members inside embassies and international institutions for unique, high-level events.

These are not just gatherings — they’re opportunities to connect, learn, and engage across cultures.

Moments that reflect the global life you live — and the community behind it.

Visit aafsw.org for more.

✨ Join our next monthly cultural event

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#CulturalDiplomacy #ForeignService #AAFSW

A new post. A new city. A new challenge.

Foreign Service spouses build careers across borders, often while juggling relocations and transitions. AAFSW is here to help — offering networking through coffees, happy hours, and virtual connections, as well as career support like resume review, job search guidance, and advocacy for employment opportunities.

Because behind every move is a career that deserves continuity.

Whether you’re restarting, reimagining, or growing your path — we’re here to support you.

Visit us at aafsw.org.

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#EFM #ForeignServiceLife #AAFSW

Looking for Foreign Service resources shouldn’t feel like searching in the dark.

That’s why AAFSW created FSHub.org — a comprehensive gateway gathering services, tools, and information for the entire FS community.

Whether you’re preparing for a move, navigating a transition, or looking for guidance — it’s all in one place. So you can spend less time searching and more time moving forward.

Visit the FSHub: https://www.aafsw.org/fs-hub

Access to the right information changes everything.

Explore. Connect. Navigate smarter.

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#FSHub #ForeignService #AAFSW

Dear All,

I want to express our community's strength, generosity, and unity.

AAFSW has seeded the Foreign Affairs Support Network (FASN)’s Moises Mendoza Peer Support Training Fund, partnering with the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at the University of Colorado. And we do so in tribute to Moises Mendoza, our Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) Chair. His example continues to guide our work, and I am grateful to the FASN team for their leadership in bringing this initiative forward. I am equally grateful to our AAFSW members and donors. Your support makes efforts like this possible.

We are also moving ahead with the SOSA Impact Report from a generous funding of the Una Chapman Cox Foundation. In partnership with the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST), we will be conducting short interviews with SOSA Awardees. These conversations will help us capture the real impact of the SOSA Awards and highlight American values and the extraordinary volunteerism that strengthens our Foreign Affairs community around the world.

Our Coffee Mornings have become a welcoming space for families, Eligible Family Members and evacuees, including their children. The Evacuee Support Network (ESN) has been a tremendous partner in making these gatherings meaningful.

Our programs continue to expand in ways that strengthen connection and belonging. The Foreign-Born Spouses group has reunited with renewed energy, offering a space where spouses from around the world can share experiences, build friendships, and support one another through the unique challenges of globally mobile life.

AAFSW also stays deeply committed to advocacy for Eligible Family Members pursuing meaningful careers while serving around the world. Through the AAFSW FS Community Business Directory, we are building a Foreign Affairs reference portal that highlights the talents, services, and businesses of EFMs, MOHs, FSOs, and members of our broader community. Business owners and authors can present their work, and our community can support them by choosing to shop “FS first.” Alongside this, AAFSW’s Foreign Service Hub Employment Resources continue to provide practical tools, guidance, and visibility for EFMs navigating professional pathways across posts and transitions.

AAFSW recently took part in the Interagency Roundtable (IART) hosted at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Global Community Liaison Office expressed appreciation for our participation, and the session generated strong interest in AAFSW’s programs and community support efforts. During the discussion, I emphasized how important it is to sustain the SOSA Awards, which reflect American values abroad and honor the selfless contributions of our Foreign Affairs community.

Demonstrating support for foreign affairs families, recognizing service, and fostering collaborative partnerships exemplify our collective achievements. Thank you for your trust, your energy, and your continued support of AAFSW’s mission.

Warm regards,

Celine Ford

President, AAFSW

Behind every Foreign Service journey is a family making it possible.

AAFSW supports that journey by offering annual merit-based scholarships to eligible children of our members. A small support with a lasting impact.

It’s one way we invest in the next generation — recognizing their resilience, adaptability, and ambition.

Because growing up globally comes with both extraordinary opportunities and unique challenges.

Apply by April 17! More info: https://aafsw.org/news/13593183

Join AAFSW

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#FSFamilies #Scholarships #aafsw

Celine Ford, AAFSW President

March 2, 2026

On March 2, AAFSW welcomed our distinguished guests for our 17th annual Women’s History Month panel discussion, “The Role of Women in Democracy, the Military, and Diplomacy”.

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 She 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.

Grateful for the partnership that makes this work possible, with special thanks to Victor Gotevbe, Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Diplomatic Watch,Member, The National Press Club for his support of our 2026 Women’s History Month program.  

Also see: https://diplomaticwatch.com/diplomats-leaders-convene-at-aafsw-womens-history-month-forum-on-democracy-the-military-and-diplomacy/

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.

Warmly,

Celine

Celine Ford, President, AAFSW

March 18, 2026

Dear AAFSW Community,

This month highlighted the extraordinary strength, compassion, and resilience of the Foreign Service community. During times of worldwide uncertainty and fast-changing needs, AAFSW has experienced remarkable support from its members, sister organizations, and partners throughout the diplomatic community.

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 sustained Evacuee Support Coordination (ESN) coordination have needed extraordinary effort from teams across the Department and the broader interagency community.

To illustrate the depth of this commitment, I am sharing a photograph I captured during the pre-dawn hours as families arrived at Dulles Airport. The scene reflects a moment of reassurance and welcome, made possible by the collective support offered to exhausted travelers. Teams from the Department of State, GCLO, Diplomatic Security (DS), the military, and the Dulles support team worked together seamlessly, offering snacks, water, books, and pet supplies, small gestures that brought genuine comfort during a challenging time. Throughout these challenges, AAFSW has still been 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 with the upcoming Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) Impact Report, generously funded by the Uma Chapman Cox Foundation. This report will provide a comprehensive account of the significant achievements of SOSA award recipients and recognize the individuals who have continuously supported the awards from their start through decades of sustained excellence and legacy. 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.

Looking ahead, The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) and AAFSW will collaborate on an ongoing initiative funded by AAFSW 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. 

This initiative has strong potential to enrich our organization, preserve important narratives, and offer meaningful opportunities for members to contribute. We will share this initiative with our stakeholders to collect more engaging stories. AAFSW is grateful to Susan R. Johnson, ADST President 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.

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.

Through every transition and challenge, AAFSW continues to stand on the foundation built by decades of resolute volunteers, leaders, and supporters. Their commitment, and yours, ensures that our community stays strong, connected, and resilient. 

Warmly,

Celine 

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.