The event was organized by Jennifer Lawless, director of American University’s (AU) Women & Politics Institute (WPI), a non-partisan/profit institute, dedicated to closing the gender gap in political leadership, graciously hosted by Houda Ezra Nonoo, Ambassador of Bahrain and excellently compeered by Jan Du Plain, CEO of Du Plain Enterprises.
The Invitation
How the event occurred
Ms. Jan Du Plain, President & CEO of DuPlain Enterprises, Inc., an AU School of Government and Public affairs alumni is integral to DC life. She is an award winning public relations/special events executive and runs her speakers bureau. Three years ago, as the Embassy Liason, she helped launch Passport DC, the cultural open house of embassies; which led to her involvement with The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain and WPI. She was asked to be in the director’s circles where she and Ms. Lawless discussed the importance of women diplomats and politicians collaborating. The discussion resulted in the enlightening event with speakers sharing about their life’s path to leadership, and their home countries.
The Speakers
Ambassador Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo of the Kingdom of Bahrain is the first Jewish female ambassador of an Arab country. She is the first Bahraini woman and second Arab ambassador to the US. She was a founding member of Human Rights Watch Society and has worked tirelessly to improve working conditions, raised awareness of the rights of women and children, and campaigned for family and domestic law, and brought attention to the plight of domestic workers in Bahrain. She stated that her family, from Iraq’s Baghdad and Basra in the 1880s, stopped in Bahrain en-route to India and stayed. Jews have been in Bahrain since ancient times and make 36% of the population, with Bahraini Jews being Bahraini’s who happen to be Jewish, not the opposite.
Bahrain, an island in the Persian Gulf has existed for centuries. 5000 years ago, it was viewed by ancient Sumerians as Paradise, the biblical Garden of Eden, where the wise and brave enjoyed eternity. Bahrain is the Bronze Age civilization of Dilmun, in the epic of Gilgamesh, a 4000 year old Sumerian text. The ancients sang its praises calling it the land of the living, immortality, and the rising sun. Priding itself on tolerance, it is home to Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Baha’is, Sikhs and Jews. With a multicultural environment reflected in socioeconomic diversity, Bahrain promotes international cooperation, and inter-cultural, ethnic and religious dialog.
Bahrain maintains a perfect balance of antiquity and modernity and The East meets The West. While basking in its rich history of ancient civilizations; it is also a trade, financial and knowledge based services hub, with a favorable investment environment, proven by the international corporations present. Its liberal, moderate and progressive social outlook and commitment to international appropriation, makes it attractive to foreigners and welcoming to people of all backgrounds.
Bahrain is witnessing an economic metamorphosis powered by economic reforms and social change, with women at the center, having played important roles in the process. Women now make up a third of the workforce serving as undersecretaries, private industry executives, bankers and even taxi cab drivers, placing Bahrain at par with some European countries. Women also vote and run for office. The President of the UN General Assembly, two ministers and ambassadors to the US, France and China are women, showing Bahrain’s exemplary role in encouraging women's political participation.
Bahrain has proved its human development capabilities, but there’s room for improvement. Government initiatives alone won’t suffice unless coupled with social initiatives and democracy, then Bahrain can be a democratic society that upholds equality, political and social justice, and protects human rights. She is proud of her country's achievements and said it requires evolution not a revolution to maximize its potential. Like her, Bahrain’s uniqueness contributes to its advancement. She was a Jewish girl attending a catholic convent school run by Italian nuns, in an Islamic country. At 15, she was culture shocked in England while attending a Jewish boarding school near oxford. In 2004 she was a founding member of Bahrain’s Human Rights Watch Society, serving as its General Secretary in 2005 with her energy focused on family issues. She was appointed to Bahrain’s parliament in 2006 before becoming ambassador. Playing up her attention garnering uniqueness, she stated “As a Jewish Bahraini woman, now Ambassador of an Islamic Arab country, I am evidence of new possibilities.”
Ambassador Kolinda Graber Kitarovic of Croatia acknowledged the male guests present at the event, stating that they are so gracious to attend because men have to be involved in the process of enhancing gender equality and women’s roles. She was her country’s first female Minister when chosen as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and is her country’s first female ambassador to the US. Since coming to DC two years ago, she has witnessed the growth of female leaders. Although there’s still much work to be done, she appreciates this opportunity to address common women’s issues, including prejudices, challenges, gender equality and public/ political roles promotion.
Croatia has made great strides by creating gender equality laws and legislation with best intentions, but has failed to implement them in practice. She said it's not just up to women, or the political system, but also promoting education and ambition in girls, assuring them they can be anything, if they are determined, work hard and seek support from those who share their passion. She promotes education among females, especially where they are considered inferior to males. She noted that there is much work ahead for women, and stated that success is achievable if women collaborate, promote friendship, support each other and seek supportive men.
The West African country of Senegal was represented by Ambassador Fatou Danielle Diagne, an AU Economics alumnus with a Masters in development banking. She was Minister of Competitiveness and Good Governance before becoming ambassador a few months ago. She stated that this is a great day to celebrate women, particularly, African women ambassadors, because there are only 5 in her country. She comes from an economics and finance background not diplomacy which gives her an advantage. She stated that though President Bush's policies caused improvement, there's still much to do because Senegal’s issues require skilled assistance. She has been a champion for women’s rights, fighting against female genital mutilation and retention of girls in schools, a Millennium development goal. Though there are low HIV rates, high infant mortality and malaria makes health care a problem in Senegal.
Cape Verde (CV), an Island country located in the Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Africa was represented by Ambassador Fatima Lima Veiga. She came to diplomatic life by chance. After schooling in France, she wanted to become a teacher of French and English. She returned home and was overwhelmed by the lack of skills, particularly in languages in many departments including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where in 1980 she was asked to work as an interpreter and translator. Frustrated with the work, she transferred to the department of Europe and America, which she enjoyed. She has occupied many positions in the ministry, with her current position being her third ambassadorial appointment. Her first was Cuba from 1999 to 2001.
She returned to become Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for a year and a half, and became CV's first female Minister as Minister of Foreign affairs. In 2004 she became CV's permanent representative to the UN, where she spent 3 years, and then she became the first female ambassador to the US. During her term, CV was accepted into the World Trade Organization (WTO), became a pilot country to host the One UN initiative, a process to harmonize human and financial resources of the different UN bodies in a country to improve program efficiency, delivery and capacity. In 2005, CV received a Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a bilateral development fund where countries are rated on 17 indicators measuring their effectiveness at good governance, human resource investment, and entrepreneurship fostering, to promote good economic policies and growth in the recipient countries.
In 2008 CV was promoted from a least developed country to a developing /middle income country. 2009’s highlights were US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton’s visit and CV’s selection to develop a second MCA. As ambassador, her role is challenging but rewarding because she maintains the CV - US relationship which dates back to the 17th century, when the first Cape Verdean’s began coming to New Bedford, Massachusetts, creating a high population because the people who left outnumbered those who stayed.
She's focused on developing the relationship and launching new bridges. She emphasized that the support of male colleagues is crucial because gender empowerment and streaming which are CV’s government’s and society's priority, affects everyone. There are now more female than male ministers occupying visible positions like, defense, finance, economy, education, communications and labor, and there are more women than men in government including occupying about 17% of members of parliament positions, which for a 30 year old country is remarkable.
The need to augment trade and economic relations with the US is a challenge however; CV is investing in itself, seeking investors and has made regulations and the business environment modern. Due to its social and political stability, CV doesn’t generate news headlines making it largely unknown, but Ms. Clinton's visit and their embassy’s participation in Passport DC created more visibility and information requests from tourists and investors.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was represented by Ambassador Faida Mitifu, who stated that she is very thankful for the event because there are such few opportunities. She thanked their male colleagues in attendance who she called true friends and partners. She stated that the reason we applaud when someone states, "I'm the first female........" is because women still have a long way to go. She shared a touching experience. Twelve ago, onboard a plane to the US to assume office, she and a gentleman were the only two passengers seated in the business class section. About two hours before landing, the flight attendants began fussing over the man, giving him VIP treatment. She assumed it was because of the many duty free gifts the man purchased. When the plane landed, the crew assembled and all passengers were told to follow one exit, while the man was personally ushered by a flight attendant towards a different exit. Since they were both in the business class section, she followed him, but as she approached the door, she was curtly told to follow the other exit with the other passengers.
She protested, saying, "But the gentleman…" she was rudely interrupted and again told curtly, "No no no, you need to take the other door." As she was going to the other door, the flight attendant called out, “Ambassador Mitifo” looking in the direction of the man. When she answered, the man looked confused, and the flight attendant and the rest of the crew looked shocked, and started apologizing to her because they knew they had made a mistake by assuming the man was the ambassador without even asking him. She stated that her experience illustrates that in most people's consciousness, an ambassador is a man. She said that even now at events she attends with her husband, most people assume he is the ambassador and he corrects them. She stated that her experiences put in perspective what women have to do to be heard. Ms. Mitifo attended a Catholic school in DRC, and graduate school in the US after which began her career in academia. She said she became an ambassador by accident and is enjoying her challenging tenure because DRC has been experiencing difficult times. Despite negative media reports, her tenure’s achievements include Hilary Clinton’s visit last year and Freeport-McMoRan's new $2 billion mine.
Ms. Connie Morella, a former Congresswoman, current US Permanent Representative to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and Ambassador in Residence at WPI, is very passionate about women helping women.
She started by jokingly stating, "I am Connie Morrella and I approve this message" to which the crowd roared with laughter. She continued saying, "Dear sisters and the men who get it," again stressing the importance of male support. “Women can't do much without male assistance; however, men are dependent on women to make things happen.” She stated that The World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, Switzerland has statistics from Ernst & Young and Pepperdine and Columbia Universities, showing that if Lehman Brothers were Lehman Sisters, it would have made a difference. They asked the question, where were women in the global financial meltdown? Unfortunately, there were too few to make a difference.
Having more women involved makes a difference because women mostly focus on emotional connections, have a different way of viewing situations and strive for consensus. She said women may be better at this because in their families they play nurturing and mediatory roles. She also stated that the OECD is operated by consensus; people have to agree, so they learn to listen and resolve differences.
She stressed the importance of collaboration, the great strides accomplished and the long road ahead. She advised the women, who are role models, to periodically meet to share experiences and ideas to help each other. She ended her address by quoting from the book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum, stating, “When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.”
Esther Cooper Smith, UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue stated that it is very important for women to work together. She said Laura Bush, UNESCO’s Honorary Ambassador for the UN’s Decade of Literacy is also helping with the initiative. She noted the increase in female leaders and reminded us that for a long time there were only 16 female ambassadors.
However, because of Hillary Clinton’s visibility as first lady, presidential aspirant, and promoter of women’s education, women are now envisioned and placed in powerful positions, a mission she is also working on at UNESCO. She also reiterated Bahrain’s multi-religious landscape, stating that the first time she visited; she was shocked at the number and diversity of religious worship centers.
She also gave an example of how women leaders are unknowingly role models and inspiring the next generation. Her fiver year old granddaughter was visiting her while she was hosting a dinner for UNESCO's new director general, during which a female ambassador spoke. When she got home she told her father, “I want to be an ambassador, because I want to talk with a microphone." Hopefully we have another female ambassador in the making.
The organizer, Ms. Jennifer L. Lawless serves as the current director of the Women & Politics Institute, as well as an Associate Professor of Government at American University. She is a graduate of Stanford University and former associate professor at Brown University, who in 2006 ran for congress and co-wrote the book, It Still Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don’t Run for Office. She is focused on helping women become leaders. Though she would prefer to have won, her loss enables her to help others.
She stated that women have made great strides but the US ranks poorly at #84 in female political representation. 83% of senate and house reps, 88% of governors, 78% of state legislators, and 90% of big city mayors are men. Not enough women are running for political office. WPI prepares women to enter political leadership by teaching them how to run for office, serve and work diplomatically with women locally and internationally through their Campaign College training program which encourages and trains young women to run for college student governments and WELEAD, a bipartisan leadership training program for women from ages 21 to 25.
In the 1990s there were five women ambassadors, then sixteen, now there are twenty five including eleven Africans and four Caribbeans. These women, who desire positive exposure, misconception eradication, understanding and improved relations between the US and their home countries, were appointed as deserving, qualified, hard working and diplomatically skilled people not as mere tokens.
Though some say their appointments mirror the recent choices for Secretaries of State namely, Madeleine Albright, 1997 – 2001, Condoleezza Rice, 2005 - 2009 and Hilary Clinton 2009 – present, meeting this diverse group of women ambassadors and women in politics who “are the best men for the job” but understand the need to celebrate, collaborate and encourage themselves and others is motivating to aspiring women leaders.
Of the men present, Lawrence Dunham formerly of the State department’s Protocol Office was the most heartening, stating in unison with Ms. Du Plain, “If you want something said; ask a man, if you want something done; ask a woman” to the cheering guests. Now there's a man who like Ms. Morella said, "gets it".
I hope such an inspiring event which brought Ambassadors, diplomats, politicians, AU alumni and friends together to celebrate and encourage women becomes an annual one.
Below are more pictures from the event. Enjoy!
Special guests being recognized
Lounge of The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Ms. Esther Cooper Smith & Ms. Connie Morella
Ambassadors Fatou Danielle Diagne, Faida Mitifu & Fatima Lima Veiga
Ms. Du Plain, Ambassador Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo, a guest & Ms. Connie Morella
Ambassador Faida Mitifu & a guest
A guest & Ambassador Fatou Danielle Diagne
Some of the supportive men in attendance
Members of the Directors Circle
Ms. Jennifer Lawless, Ambassadors Kolinda Graber Kitarovic & Fatima Lima Veiga
For more pictures from the event, visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=228790&id=218584865873
For more information on the Women & Politics Institute at American University visit, http://www.american.edu/spa/wpi/For more information on Passport DC, visit
