News

The Ambassador of Hungary in Washington, D.C., Mr. Szabolcs Ferenc Takács, expresses gratitude to AAFSW for this invitation and the opportunity to share 1100 years of Hungary’s history, geography, and complexities. H.E. acknowledges the embassy’s awareness of the AAFSW’s public diplomacy programs and outreach.

You can watch a video of the program below.

Celine Ford, June 10, 2024

In a vibrant celebration of culture and heritage, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. hosted the members and friends of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) to an enchanting evening reception on May 31, 2024. The event was a splendid showcase of Sri Lanka’s allure as a premier tourist destination.

AAFSW expresses sincere gratitude to Ambassador Samarasinghe and his leadership team. Their expert curation of the program, in collaboration with the enthusiastic participation of all attendees, highlighted Sri Lanka’s vibrant heritage and facilitated meaningful connections among all participants. Moreover, the Sri Lanka Embassy took proactive steps to engage their local and international networks, organizing a raffle that offered participants the opportunity to experience international travel and luxury stays in Sri Lanka. The skilled musicians and elegant ballet dancers, dressed in traditional finery, added to the evening’s magic.

A Night of Diplomatic Harmony and Cultural Exchange

H.E. Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe spearheaded the evening with a poignant speech that traced the historical bonds between Sri Lanka and the United States. He recounted the influential work of American missionaries in Sri Lanka’s north during the 1800s, the pivotal role of Colonel Henry Steel Olcott in the resurgence of Buddhism, and the contributions of John Exter, the inaugural Governor of the Central Bank of Ceylon post-independence. The Ambassador’s narrative, enriched with anecdotes and historical context, further highlighted the pivotal support of the United States in Sri Lanka’s recent economic revival through the IMF Program, weaving a tapestry of shared history that resonated with the distinguished guests.

Visual and Performing Arts: A Glimpse into Sri Lanka’s Soul

The embassy’s premises transformed into a visual odyssey with a photographic exhibition that captured the essence of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, natural wonders, and the indomitable spirit of its people. These images, courtesy of the “America – Sri Lanka Photographic Art Society Los Angeles” and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, offered a window into the island’s soul.

Complementing the visual feast, the rhythmic beats of “Ceylon Bera” and the expressive performances by the “Lanka Dance Academy,” under the direction of Lanka Mudannayake, illustrated the country’s rich dance traditions. The unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements in the performances, such as Achila Perera’s Bharathanatyam dance, was a testament to the vibrant and diverse culture of Sri Lanka. These performances, an evening highlight, added to the tapestry of diversity.

A Culinary Journey to Remember

The evening’s gastronomic offerings celebrated Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage. Guests were treated to an array of expertly crafted traditional flavors displaying the unique blend of spices and ingredients that make Sri Lankan cuisine so distinctive. For this gastronomic journey, a renowned Sri Lankan restaurant curated a dinner buffet to create a symphony of Ceylon spices. The live station serving fresh hoppers, a traditional Sri Lankan delicacy, became the night’s culinary centerpiece, delighting the palates of all attendees and offering an authentic taste of Sri Lanka. An unforgettable journey through the flavors and aromas of Sri Lanka, the sumptuous dinner buffet was a highlight of the event, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Ceylon Tea: A Sip of Serenity

A special tea corner offered a serene retreat where guests could savor the rich flavors of freshly brewed hot and iced Ceylon tea, a beloved national treasure.

An Evening to Remember

The night culminated in a raffle draw, with lucky winners receiving a return air ticket to Colombo and luxurious hotel stays courtesy of Sri Lankan Airlines GSA in New York, Thema Collection Hotels, and Theva Residency Boutique Hotel Kandy.

Behind the Scenes of Our Cultural Programs

Collaboration at Its Best

The road to a memorable cultural program involves multi-level efforts. AAFSW collaborated closely with the Embassy of Sri Lanka leadership, leaving no stone unturned, and orchestrated a delightful Sri Lankan evening for over 150 attendees.

Program Goals and Key Messages

Our programs have clear goals: to celebrate a country’s vibrant culture, promote cross-cultural understanding, and create lasting memories. The target audience included diplomats, expatriates, and members and friends of AAFSW. We developed communication materials such as brochures and communications tools to ensure consistent branding and messaging. These succinctly summarized the program’s essential features, benefits, and contact information, aligning seamlessly with our vision and objectives.

A Note on Consistency

We must recognize that all our programs and events require the same dedication from AAFSW’s team and volunteers, all hands on deck. 

Thank you, our members, for your support and for making these programs and evenings remarkable. Your dedication truly exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and community within AAFSW.

You can see a video here.

Best,

Celine

Celine Ford, June 6, 2024

AAFSW is pleased to present the ‘Divorce and the Foreign Service Rights and Responsibilities’ guidelines, a crucial resource for our community. These guidelines, part of the 2023 Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO), showcase AAFSW’s continuous advocacy by AAFSW, particularly the Spouses in Crisis and Crisis Fund Chairs. We have been championing better treatment of abandonment during separation and divorce with the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Global Talent Management Bureau and Congress.

In the context of the foreign service community, while there is no specific data on the divorce rate, AAFSW has observed an uptick in families contemplating separation or divorce in recent years. These circumstances often emerge under severe conditions for the spouse and children. Living abroad without the support of extended family or friends, families, and individual members of the foreign affairs community confronts unique relationship stresses. They frequently must adjust their personalities or lifestyles to blend into local contexts. The pressures of relocating to a new environment and leaving behind one’s support network can strain marriages.

Life-altering events such as divorce can be profoundly stressful, often leading to trauma that can impair our decision-making abilities. This state of vulnerability can sometimes open the door to exploitation. Proceeding with a divorce hastily without comprehensive legal advice, signing documents without a thorough understanding of their implications, and misjudging and misclassifying marital assets can all present considerable risks. In their urgency to escape an unhealthy marriage, some individuals may be willing to relinquish assets they are rightfully entitled to. On the other hand, others may opt to endure harmful marriages due to financial limitations. Both situations are far from ideal.

Familiarizing yourself and sharing the 2023 Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) “Divorce and the Foreign Service Rights and Responsibilities” guide is highly recommended. This comprehensive resource provides invaluable information and resources for those navigating this challenging process. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of Foreign Service employees or dependents serving under the Chief of Mission at post or their manager in the DMV. It also guides potential pension, survivor, and health benefits, as well as resources for counseling services. You can contact the Management Officer assigned to your post for more detailed information. Please remember that some benefits may cease once a divorce is finalized.

Amidst the challenges of divorce, it’s essential to know that AAFSW is steadfast in its commitment to supporting family members in these situations, whether in the U.S. or overseas. We actively mediate and negotiate with the State Department’s Family Liaison Office, support groups, and networks of family lawyers, ensuring that you have the necessary support during this difficult time.

When in a distress situation, usually during a separation or divorce, to find support navigating these challenging transitions, and under a strict rule of confidentiality, do not hesitate to contact the AAFSW Spouses in Transition Chair, the Foreign-Born Spouse State Liaison Chair, or the Office Manager.

We strongly encourage you to share these guidelines with your colleagues and friends in the Foreign Affairs community. By spreading this information, we can better support each other and ensure everyone knows their rights and responsibilities during divorce.

Divorce and the Foreign Service – U.S. Department of State

Spouses in Transition Support – Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (aafsw.org)

On behalf of AAFSW, we commemorated the Centennial Foreign Affairs Day on May 3, 2024. It was an honor to acknowledge the courageous and dignified individuals in foreign affairs and to pay tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice during the Wreath Ceremony.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Deputy Secretary Verma for paying homage to AAFSW’s Wreath, a symbol of remembrance for our Foreign Service Family Members who have passed away while serving abroad. Their memories continue to inspire us. As always, thank you for being so supportive.

Celine Ford – President AAFSW

Volunteer Your Time and Energy!

Volunteers are the backbone of Books & Global Treasures shop and the annual Art & BookFair, making them both possible.

During the year, our team enjoys working together in the Books & Global Treasures shop while simultaneously preparing for the annual Art and BookFair. Some of the year-round tasks are collecting, sorting, pricing and organizing the stream of donations. Your personal cultural experience and insights can be invaluable.

Can’t come into the shop regularly? Some items may be researched on the web from anywhere.

Volunteers also help with publicity (posters, signs,) and picking up donations. There are many other tasks that volunteers perform during the actual Art & BookFair. These include assisting customers, cashiering, keeping shelves tidy, replenishing the selections, setting up and breaking down the venue and supporting the Stamp Corner, Art Corner and Volunteer breakroom.

Join our team working on and off site. Hours flexible.

Don’t wait to sign-up to volunteer. We need 30-40 volunteers throughout the year, increasing to more than 100 during Art & BookFair. Contact Anne Kauzlarich for more information: Anne.kauzlarich@aafsw.org.

More ways you can help: Donate books, foreign stamps, jewelry and cultural wares. We can arrange a pick-up if needed. Books can also be dropped off in the blue book collection bins at various locations in main State, SA1 (Columbia Plaza) and SA17 (19 th St. NW).

Contact: Brian Neumann, 202-223-5796 or bookstore@aafsw.org.

Dear AAFSW Members and Friends,

As the days lengthen and blossoms emerge, we extend warm Spring greetings to you all. This season symbolizes renewal, growth, and hope—a time to embrace fresh opportunities and connect with our community.

I am thrilled to announce a significant new partnership with the esteemed National Defense University (NDU). This collaboration is not just a mere association but a testament to the importance and value we place on fostering meaningful connections and support within our community.

NDU’s International Student Management Office (ISMO) manages a sponsor program to support and assist International Fellows (IFs) studying at NDU. These officers attend various NDU colleges, including the National War College (NWC), the Eisenhower School (ES), the College of International Security Affairs (CISA), or the College of Information and Cyberspace (CIC) in Washington, D.C., as well as the Joint Forces Staff College (JFSC) in Norfolk, Virginia. The program aims to establish meaningful relationships between sponsors and IFs, offering unique international interactions. Sponsors provide valuable community and support as IFs transition to a new country and spend a year at NDU. The program has proven beneficial, allowing Fellows and their families to experience American culture and fostering lasting relationships. 
 
On April 4, 2024, I met with Ambassador Young’s NDU Sponsor Program team on the NDU campus to explore avenues for collaboration. Melanie Mcfeeters, our new Evacuation Chair, will help coordinate this partnership for AAFSW. We are looking for people who have lived in America and can give the students an idea of daily life here. The sponsor program involves making meaningful connections and participating in NDU-sponsored festivals and events. There is an International Fellow Luncheon in early Spring, to which everyone at NDU, their families, and sponsors are invited. Stay tuned for further developments and exciting opportunities through this program. Your engagement and participation are vital to its success!

Director General Ambassador Bernicat invited AASFW to her office in May to learn more about our organization. During this discussion, we plan to address the following topics: Gratitude for 24 STATE 26038 Separation and Divorce: Responsibilities and Resources, released on March 13, 2024. Including SOSA Awards in OPFs and the Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad (SOSA) in eligible recipients’ Official Personnel Files (OPFs). EFM Museum Exhibit at National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD): including an exhibit at the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) that highlights the significant contributions of EFM/SOSA awardees. Enhanced Training Access for EFMs/MOH: Improved communication channels to empower more spouses/partners to access valuable training opportunities.

We look forward to honoring exceptional students as applications for AAFSW’s Merit Scholarships and Twice Exceptional Merit Scholarship are now open. Thank you to John K. Naland for inviting AAFSW to participate in the Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s Youth Awards Ceremony, which will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in the Marshall Center. Please learn more at AAFSW’s Annual Youth Merit Scholarships here.

We look forward to the upcoming Foreign Affairs Day, May 3, 2024, a day of celebration and recognition for our community’s achievements!

Thank you for being so supportive, as always,
Celine

We extend our condolences to Betty’s family, friends, and colleagues. We are sad to share her passing on March 9, 2024.

Betty Swope dedicated her Foreign Service career to helping others. Her compassion and commitment left a lasting impact on those she served. Even after retirement, Betty remained a beacon of kindness and mentorship. Many knew her as a dear friend and a tireless advocate for our community.

Notably, Betty played an integral role in managing the jewelry section of our annual Art & Book Fair. Her passion and dedication shone through; her legacy will forever inspire us.

To Betty’s family and friends, we offer our deepest sympathies during this difficult time. 

Below, we have copied her obituary, including the details about the viewing and the funeral service, published by The Washington Post. It can also be accessed here. 

 With deepest sympathy,

 AAFSW

Mary Elizabeth Swope (1944-2024)

By The Washington Post – March 13, 2024

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Swope, age 79, passed away on March 9, 2024, of congestive lung failure.

Betty was born on March 11, 1944, at Columbia Hospital in Washington, DC, and grew up in Arlington and Herndon, Virginia. She graduated from Mary Baldwin College with a BA and received an MPA from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She is also a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at Fort McNair and the U.S. Department of State Senior Seminar.

Always known as a woman ahead of her time, Betty joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1967, looking for a career that allowed her to travel and serve her country. She remained in the Foreign Service for her entire career, serving with dedication and distinction in multiple countries, including Portugal, Spain, Mexico, France, and Egypt. She was twice appointed Consul General (Cairo and Guadalajara). Also, she held important posts in Washington, DC, as Director of Consular Training at the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Mexico Border Coordinator, Deputy Director of Management Operations, and in the Consular Affairs Division of the Office of the State Department’s Legal Advisor, working with state and local law enforcement on U.S. treaty obligations when foreign nationals are arrested in the U.S. She was especially committed to consular work and assisting Americans as they worked and traveled overseas. Over the years, Betty received several State Department awards and was an active member of Executive Women at State and the Mentor Program.

Betty believed one of her most important roles was assisting the next generation of State Department staff in their careers. She will long be remembered as a friend and mentor to innumerable junior personnel and individuals interested in diplomatic careers. In retirement, she continued to mentor many. She was a member of Diplomatic and Consular Officers Retired (DACOR) and the Associates of the American Foreign Service (AAFSW), for whom she managed the jewelry section of its Annual Book Fair.

Betty is survived by her husband of 43 years, Patrick F Kennedy, also a retired member of the Foreign Service, whom she married on January 31, 1981, in the Bethlehem Chapel at the Washington National Cathedral. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her brother, John W. Swope. She was predeceased by her parents, Ralph R. Swope and Elizabeth Anderson Swope, and one brother, Ralph R. Swope, Jr.

Celine Ford, President, AAFSW, March 10, 2024 

The fifteenth annual Women’s History Month panel discussion, organized by Sheila Switzer, Program Chair of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW), was a resounding success. Held on March 6th in the Burns Auditorium at the George Marshall Center of the State Department, Washington, D.C., this gathering illuminated the remarkable achievements of women leaders.

Honoring Distinguished Women

H.E. Mariangela Zappia, Italian Ambassador to the United States, shared her journey as the first woman to hold the position of Italian Ambassador to the United States. H.E. Mariangela Zappia has shattered glass ceilings and exemplified excellence. Her illustrious career spans four decades and includes significant diplomacy and international relations contributions. She genuinely shared the highlights from her journey as Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN in New York (2018-2021). Zappia played a pivotal role in advancing global cooperation and addressing critical issues on the international stage. As Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Italy and G7-G20 Sherpa (2016-2018), her strategic insights and leadership contributed to shaping policies that impact millions of lives. As Champion of Women’s Causes, Zappia’s unwavering commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment has left an indelible mark. She has advocated for women’s rights, both within Italy and globally.

 White House Cabinet Secretary Evan Ryan has wielded her influence with grace and determination. Evan highlighted her journey, a reflection about resilience and dedication. Evan’s role involves managing critical administrative functions. Her ability to navigate complex political landscapes is commendable. Balancing family and leadership, Evan, the spouse of Secretary Blinken, openness about her journey as a woman with family responsibilities resonated with so many. She has demonstrated that it is possible to excel in leadership while maintaining a solid family foundation. 

Adrienne Arsht, Chair of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation, shared how she made an indelible impact across business, philanthropy, and the arts. As the founding chair of the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation, she has transformed organizations and communities, championing the arts and cultural enrichment. Adrienne’s unwavering commitment to human rights and the rule of law is evident through her work at Human Rights First. She contributed thirty million to Miami’s Performing Arts Center, which led to its renaming as “The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.” Her impact on cultural institutions is immeasurable.

Nicole Elkon, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), moderated this discussion and ensured its success. Nicole oversees diverse exchange programs, bridging borders and fostering understanding between U.S. and international participants. As a human rights advocate, Nicole’s commitment to justice and equality resonates globally. 

As AASFW’s guests and participants recognized the pivotal role that women have played throughout history, they also honored the quiet strength of those who labor selflessly behind the scenes, the countless silent heroines who work tirelessly in the shadows, rise before dawn, and walk for hours to fetch water to ensure that their little ones wake up to hot tea and clean clothes before heading off to school. Their resilience, love, and sacrifices are equally worthy of admiration, and they serve as powerful role models.

The program ended with many heartfelt comments and questions from AAFSW’s guests, who thanked Sheila Switzer, AAFSW Program Chair, for organizing this event. Sheila’s dedication to cross-cultural understanding and tireless efforts to promote women’s causes have been invaluable. The lively conversation kept its momentum at the coffee reception following the program.

As we reflect on Women’s History Month, let us continue to keep these exceptional women whose vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment inspire us all. Their willingness to share their journeys as women with families and global leaders is a testament to their generosity and authenticity.

AAFSW is grateful to the State Department Management and Chief Media Services Division for supporting our program and sharing this event recording.

Celine Ford, AAFSW President