By Joanne Grady Huskey
Publisher’s Description: On June 4, 1989, Joanne Grady Huskey was in Tiananmen Square and witnessed the horror of a government attacking its own people. On August 7, 1998, she was in the basement of the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, with her two small children when Al Qaeda bombed the building.
The Unofficial Diplomat is the memoir of the wife of a U.S. Foreign Service officer who, caught in extraordinary circumstances, was able to do some extraordinary things. The book describes her experiences living and working in China during the 1989 “Beijing Spring” and, 15 years later, in Taiwan. In between came postings to Chennai, India, and Nairobi, where she helped Kenyan victims after the Embassy bombing. She describes her work with disabled people in China, guided by Deng Xiaoping’s son, Deng Pufang, and her life as an NGO worker and a performing artist in each of these countries.
Joanne Grady Huskey co-founded Global Adjustments in India, a cross-cultural training company, and the American International School of Chennai. Earlier, she was International Director of VSA Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center inWashington. For her work with disabled children in China she was awarded the Secretary of State’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in 1992. Educated at Harvard University, she has published widely in Newsweek, Washington Post, State magazine,Foreign Service Journal, United Airlines Hemispheres, and Centered on Taipei. Visit her at www.joannehuskey.com.
Review by AAFSW member Jan Fischer Bachman originally published in the March, 2010 issue of Global Link.
An Unofficial Diplomat Recounts Her Story and History
What is it like to be a Foreign Service spouse?
The Unofficial Diplomat, a new memoir by Joanne Grady Huskey, provides one of the best replies to that question ever published. With only 192 pages to cover two decades of Foreign Service life, the book cannot help skimming the surface. The Huskeys’ first two years in the U.S. get less than a page, leaving the reader with questions. Why, for instance, did they buy a house just before leaving the U.S.?
While any Foreign Service family can — and perhaps too often does — tell fascinating stories about faraway places, the Huskeys experienced dramatic, world-changing events. They lived through the “Beijing Spring” and Tiananmen Square tragedy of 1989. Roughly a decade later, they almost died in the Nairobi embassy bombing. Ms. Huskey’s frank descriptions let us know that sometimes history walks into your life, not gliding delicately, but stomping mud-covered boots, destroying possessions and burying peace of mind in rubble and ashes.
As well as traumatic events, Ms. Huskey honestly details wrenching transitions at post after post:
“I felt as if my identity were buried and lost deep in those boxes.” (Beijing)
“It was all I could do to resist the intense compulsion to grab the children, get on a plane and go back home.” (Chennai)
“… the usual culture shock and homesickness hit the children and me with a vengeance, sparing only Jim, who quickly went to work…” (Taipei)
Her recounting of day one in India evokes both laughter and sympathy:
“As we drank cold milkshakes, Christopher mournfully looked up at me and asked, “Mommy, why are you crying?’… I dishonestly replied, ‘Why, sweetheart, I am just so happy to be here.’”
Ms. Huskey never brags; in fact, she fails to mention some of her accomplishments, including the Secretary of State’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism. Nevertheless, we clearly see her as a creative, talented, energetic and truly extraordinary person. During tours in China, India, Kenya, and Taiwan, she carves out interesting, significant (if often unpaid) work in orphanages and with people with disabilities, organizing a women’s conference, volunteering at museums, performing in theater productions, and writing articles. When most official ties were severed in China, she continued reporting to the embassy based on her informal contacts, becoming a true “unofficial diplomat.” Not many Foreign Service spouses have acted in Bollywood films, written a full-page op-ed for the Washington Post (opposing U.S. policy, of all things) or founded both a large relocation company and a thriving international school.
While re-visiting China many years after her posting, Ms. Huskey concludes, “It had all been worth it. The richness of our lives was without measure.” Readers, particularly experienced expatriates, might wonder about the cost, the months painfully spent in transition, the years without paid employment and the respect (and retirement benefits) that accompany it. What might such a talented individual have accomplished in a more normal career trajectory? In Ms. Huskey’s own words, is this global existence “character building, or does it scar us?”
Noticeably committed to communicating the essence of America, Ms. Huskey writes, “Every one of us is an ‘unofficial diplomat’ who must turn outward, not inward. … In so doing, the world may start to heal.” Her dedication to engagement with local communities clearly shines through this memoir. Our country owes Ms. Huskey a debt of gratitude for her tireless work in places brimming with anti-American sentiment.
Ms Huskey clearly describes both highlights and low points of diplomatic life, from meeting presidents to suffering terrorist attacks. The Unofficial Diplomat makes illuminating reading for those considering a Foreign Service career. Both diplomats and other international professionals would benefit from carefully studying Ms Huskey’s descriptions of the difficulties faced by accompanying family members, “square pegs being pushed into round holes.” Expatriate spouses from any country will find in this book an understanding companion, an honest voice admitting that international moves exact a painful toll … but that the rewards could be beyond measure.
Jan Fischer Bachman currently works as a freelance communications consultant and writer based in the Washington, DC area.
Some More Reactions to The Unofficial Diplomat
“This book provides a wonderful insight into the highs and lows, the exuberance and terrors, of a life well lived in the Foreign Service. Read the part about the al Qaeda bombing of the Nairobi embassy in 1998 and you will understand how the mindset and personal leadership of community members like Joanne helped us accomplish extraordinary things against great odds. Unofficial Diplomat makes clear why Foreign Service spouses and family members deserve such respect and affection.”
Prudence Bushnell, former U.S. Ambassador to Kenya and Guatemala
“Read the book and it is fabulous! It was more than just liking it. I can’t believe the life that you have led . . . . It’s amazing.”
Nellie Nugiel, Producer of the television program “Greek”
“I read your book last night. Once I got started I couldn’t put it down until I finished! I blame you for keeping me up until 2 in the morning!
Laura Bode, Running Start, Leadership for Girls
Congrats! I’ve sent a note about the book to my friends who do guest booking at CNN. Hope they are interested. I suggest you personally mail a copy to Oprah (seriously!).
Mike Chinoy, Senior Fellow, Pacific Council former CNN Correspondent
“I want to take my children and go overseas right away!!! You’ve inspired me.”
Annalisa Allen, Vice President, Goldman Sachs
The Unofficial Diplomat is published by:
The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST)
2814 N. Underwood St., Arlington, VA 22213-1515
http://adst.org/
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