The Foreign Service Journal, September 2016

AFSA NEWS CALENDAR THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION September 1-30 FEGLI Open Season September 5 Labor Day: AFSA Offices Closed September 7 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting September 11-15 AFSA Road Scholar Program Washington, D.C. September 30 7:05 p.m. Foreign Service Night at Nationals Park October 5 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting October 6 2–4:30 p.m. Everything You Need to Know about the TSP October 9-14 AFSA Road Scholar Program Chautauqua, N.Y. October 10 Columbus Day: AFSA Offices Closed October 12 2-3:30 p.m. What Is the Purpose? 360 Feedback in the Foreign Service October 23-27 AFSA Road Scholar Program Washington, D.C. October 28 Job Search Program Graduation Reception at FSI AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Ambassador Kristie Kenney presents the 2016 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy award at the AFSA annual awards ceremony. Honoring AFSA’s 2016 AwardWinners On June 23, the American Foreign Service Associa- tion held its annual awards ceremony. This year AFSA honored Ambassador Ruth A. Davis with its premier honor, the Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award, in recognition of her long and distinguished career as a diplomat. AFSA President Ambas- sador Barbara Stephenson opened the ceremony, par- ticularly welcoming the more than 100 friends and family members of Amb. Davis from across the United States who were in attendance. Amb. Stephenson also recognized previous LCAD award win- ners, former Senator Richard Lugar and Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Boyatt. Counselor of the U.S. Department of State Ambassador Kristie Kenney presented this year’s LCAD award to Amb. Davis, citing her 40-year career in the Foreign Service, her devotion to diplomacy and her dedica- tion in fostering the rising generation of Foreign Service officers. Amb. Kenney highlighted the importance of developing people and talent in the For- eign Service. The true assets of the Foreign Service are the people. Describing Amb. Davis as an example of the best of the Foreign Service, Amb. Kenney said,“Ruth has never once, no matter how big her job or how busy she was, been too busy to coach, mentor and be a friend to all of the rest of us.” Accepting the award, Amb. Davis acknowledged some of the many mentors and role models who helped to shape her career. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1943, her experience of segregation and discrimination ignited a passionate desire to make the world a better place. She recognized that diplomacy would be the best possible career to allow her to do that, she said. Stressing the importance of continuous education and training, Amb. Davis said she remains particularly proud of establishing the Foreign Service Institute’s School of Leadership and Manage- ment, which is helping to Continued on p. 64 THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2016 59