Here is some information about each author, from their respective websites:

Sara Mansfield Taber was raised in Asia, Europe, and the United States as the daughter of a covert Central Intelligence Agency operative. A writer of literary non-fiction, her works include literary journalism, personal essay, and memoir. She is the author of Dusk on the Campo: A Journey in Patagonia and Bread of Three Rivers: The Story of a French Loaf. She has also written a writing workbook for internationally mobile youth entitled, Of Many Lands: Journal of a Traveling Childhood.

Sara’s most recent book, Born Under an Assumed Name, portrays the thrilling and confusing life of a girl growing up abroad in a world of secrecy and diplomacy—and the heavy toll it takes on her and her father. As Taber leads us on a tour through the countries to which her CIA father is assigned, we track two parallel stories—those of young Sara and her Cold War spy father. Sara struggles for normalcy as the family is relocated to cities in North America, Europe, and Asia, and the constant upheaval eventually exacts its price. Only after a psychiatric hospitalization at age sixteen in a U.S. Air Force hospital with shell-shocked Vietnam War veterans does she come to a clear sense of who she is. Meanwhile, Sara’s sweet-natured, philosophical father becomes increasingly disillusioned with his work, his agency, and his country.

What does it mean to be an American? This is the question at the heart of this elegant and sophisticated work. In this fascinating, painful and ultimately exhilarating coming of age story, young Sara confronts generosity, greatness, and tragedy—all that America heaps on the world.

Read more about Sara Taber and her published works at sarataber.com.

Cynthia Ratcliff Helms is the widow of Richard M. Helms, the director of intelligence for the United States. They were married for 34 years. Cynthia grew up on a farm in Maldon, England and served as one of the original Boat Crew Wrens during World War II. From wartime England to Nixon’s America and beyond, she was witness to some of the seminal events of our time—Vietnam, Watergate, and especially the demoralization of the CIA in the 1970s for political purposes.

Cynthia was introduced to a world previously known only to her in books, not just the physical world from Mexico to Fiji to Iran, but also the world of a spymaster who enjoyed the confidence of some of the most important leaders of the late twentieth century. Her time as the ambassador’s wife in Tehran on the eve of the Iranian Revolution is especially telling, as she witnesses the charming but deeply flawed Shah slowly lose his way with his own people. Her “inside the beltway” observations are no less captivating, especially when her husband was being vilified by ambitious members of Congress for events that happened long ago and far away and in a completely different national security context.

Fascinating and highly readable, Cynthia Helms’ memoir, An Intriguing Life: A Memoir of War, Washington, and Marriage to an American Spymaster is also a window into our most recent history.

Read more about Cynthia and her book at cynthiahelms.com.

Please RSVP to office@aafsw.org if you plan to attend this event.

The post Meet Two Authors at AAFSW’s June 11 Program appeared first on AAFSW.

Topics covered include:

• leaving the U.S. for an overseas post
• returning “home” to the Washington, D.C., area
• moving to other posts in the U.S.
• sorting and downsizing belongings before packout
• digitizing and backing up important household records
• creating a home inventory
• helping children of various ages deal with a move
• safely shipping pets
• packing for an ordered evacuation from an overseas post
• planning for an unaccompanied tour
• shopping for consumables for a hardship post
• special considerations for foreign-born spouses
• taking care of ourselves during a transfer
• and much more!

All profits from the sale of this book will benefit AAFSW and help fund our activities and services.  And it is just $9.99 from Amazon.com. Order your copy today!

The post The Foreign Service Companion is Now Available appeared first on AAFSW.

Named a “Washingtonian of the Year” in 1992, Ms. Bunyan has an extensive record of service to the community. She is a founder and board member of the International Women’s Media Foundation, which serves women in the media in 100 countries. She is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists. She also serves on the National Advisory Board of the Casey Journalism Center on Children & Families; the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital Women’s Advisory Board, the Advisory Committee of Women in Film & Video and is a board member of Women of Washington.

In recognition of her significant contributions to broadcasting for over 40 years, Ms. Bunyan has been inducted into the “Hall of Fame” of the Washington Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, “The Silver Circle” of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) and the Broadcast Pioneers Club of Washington. She has been awarded seven local Emmys, and the “Ted Yates Award,” given by NATAS to Washington, DC news broadcasters who are leaders in the profession. She was named “Journalist of the Year” by the National Association of Black Journalists. She received the annual “Immigrant Achievement Award” from the American Immigration Law Foundation in 2002.

Ms. Bunyan attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Columbia University School of Journalism and holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She was born in Aruba and grew up in Southeast Wisconsin.  She is of Guyanese descent.

The program will take place at the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room on the 8th floor at the State Department.  Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, May 14. Use our online form to reserve and pay for your seat online!  We look forward to seeing you.

Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair
programs@aafsw.org

The post AAFSW’s May Program: Maureen Bunyan of WJLA News appeared first on AAFSW.

In this issue:

• Family Member Employment: Improving Employment in Overseas Missions
• From the President’s Desk: Remembering our Colleagues in Afghanistan
• AAFSW Board Elections: Candidate Profiles and Ballot
• Art, Craft and Small Business Fair Scheduled for June 22
• May 21 Program: A Talk with Maureen Bunyan
• Photos of the April Happy Hour Event
• AAFSW Hosts “Argo” Heroes: Photos of our Event with Tony and Jonna Mendez
• Commentary: One Spouse’s Decision Regarding Employment
• New Online Course from the Transition Center: “Realities of Foreign Service Life”

The post May Issue of our Global Link Newsletter Now Available appeared first on AAFSW.

Ambassador Sulymanov

After a short reception and an elegant, delicious lunch, attendees gathered in a room of the historic DACOR-Bacon house for Ambassador Suleymanov’s humorous, educational, and moving remarks. The Ambassador spoke of his country’s position at the crossroads of the Turkish, Russian and Persian empires, which has led to both cultural enrichment and ongoing challenges. The most emotional moment for both the Ambassador and the audience came during the question and answer period, when Ambassador Suleymanov described a violent Soviet crackdown in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku in January 1990.

DACOR and AAFSW members

The event was co-sponsored by AAFSW and DACOR and was very enthusiastically received by the approximately 30 attendees. AAFSW Program Chair Sheila Switzer and DACOR Executive Director Sherry Barndollar Rock are already discussing plans for another lunch with a speaker program, probably in October, 2013

Patricia Linderman
AAFSW President
president@aafsw.org

The post AAFSW / DACOR Lunch with Ambassador from Azerbaijan appeared first on AAFSW.

The post Improving Family Member Employment in US Missions Overseas appeared first on AAFSW.