By Jaclyn Schiff
Diplomats can often be heard speaking on the GW campus, but an event bringing eight ambassadors together is a special treat even for Colonials.
The speakers shared the stage for a panel discussion on the Mount Vernon Campus hosted by the Elizabeth Somers Women’s Leadership Program on Thursday. The program is a selective, yearlong “living and learning” program for freshmen women.
“I love the fact that the students get to see this,” said Rachelle S. Heller, associate provost for academic affairs at the Mount Vernon Campus, as the ambassadors’ cars pulled up in front of Post Hall.
Introducing the event, Dr. Heller stressed the enormity of the opportunity for students to hear such a distinguished group. “It’s not even the highlight of my year,” she said. “It’s the highlight of my decade.”
Claudia Fritsche, ambassador of the Principality of Liechtenstein, was one of the diplomats to address the audience of about 100 people—mostly students from the Women’s Leadership Program.
Initially trained as a “skilled secretary,” Ms. Fritsche described her “somewhat unusual career path” after the political party that employed her came to power after 40 years. She worked her way up from the party’s secretary to the principality’s ambassador.
The other ambassadors at the event, which was moderated by Bonnie Cohen, a former U.S. undersecretary of state, came from Botswana, Costa Rica, Estonia, Mozambique, St. Vincent, Tanzania and Zambia. The speakers shared anecdotes about their careers and tips for students who aspire to work in politics and international affairs.
Although there can be many challenges for women in politics, La Celia Prince, the ambassador from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the youngest foreign ambassador accredited to serve in Washington, D.C., said her greatest obstacle may have been herself.
When her country asked her to serve, Ms. Prince, then a deputy at the embassy who knew up-close what the job entailed, initially declined because she thought she was too young. After speaking to other ambassadors, however, she allowed herself to be convinced she was ready.
Presenting her credentials to President Obama was a “moving and scary” experience, which left her shaking, said Tebelelo Mazile Seretse, the first female ambassador from Botswana.
Most women diplomats—particularly in Africa—had to work three or four times as hard as their male counterparts, Ms. Seretse said. Her advice to students was to embrace that challenge. “Try to find your feet,” she said.
Ms. Cohen, the event moderator, echoed that charge to students. “You’re responsible for your career. A mentor is not going to drop out of the sky,” she said.
And, according to Marina Kaljurand, the ambassador from Estonia, one of the best ways to prepare for a career in diplomacy might be being a mom. “If I can negotiate the last piece of chocolate between my two kids, I can negotiate anything,” she said.
A career diplomat for more than 20 years, Ms. Kaljurand said she was in the right place at the right time when Estonia regained its independence in 1991. She said she’s received mentoring “indirectly” by reading biographies and memoirs of high-profile women. She’s currently reading about Condoleezza Rice, the former U.S. secretary of state, she said.
Although chocolate negotiations can prepare a mom for diplomacy, it can be a challenge to live so far away from her husband and son, who are in Estonia. Ms. Kaljurand said Skype helps to stay in touch with her family, and she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pitch her country. The founder of Skype, Niklas Zennström, is from Estonia, she said.
Students appreciated the opportunity to hear from the ambassadors. “What are the chances of meeting someone from Mozambique—let alone the ambassador,” said Felisa Hsieh Wei, a biology major who grew up in Taiwan.