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AAFSW Programs

March 12, 2022 by content editor

Celebrating International Women’s Day

On March 8, AAFSW hosted a vibrant panel of women in honor of International Women’s Day.  This year, the panelists included H.E. Ivonne A-Baki, Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to the United States, Madam Angelique Gakoko Pitteloud, and Marion Kavallieros.  Each brought their own unique approach to the theme “Global History and Challenges of Women World Leaders”.  Below are some highlights from the panel discussions. 

Ambassador A-Baki shared that she arrived in politics by mistake.  Born to Lebanese parents in Ecuador, she spent her teenage years living in Lebanon.  She said in the 1970’s women in the middle east had no voice so she found other ways to express herself, mainly through painting.  Through her paintings she showed women had strength through pain and perseverance.  While an artist in residence at Harvard, she became in involved in conflict resolution and peace negotiations.  She was the only women at the table during the peace negotiations between Ecuador and Peru in 1995 which ended the last war in the Western Hemisphere.  Through her successful work during those negotiations, she was selected to be Ambassador to the United States and when she arrived in Washington, DC in 1998, she was one of four women Ambassadors.  Fast forward to the year 2020 when she is once again Ambassador to the United States, she is one of 42 women Ambassadors.   Ambassador A-Baki stressed that women provide unconditional love, we are multifaced and we are born empowered – we give birth and create future generations.  She emphasized the need to put light on others and through leadership, make other leaders in the next generation.   

Madame Angelique Gakoko Pitteloud, is a global woman.  She was born in Rwanda, fled to Switzerland in the mid 1990’s and where she lived for a number of years.  She is married to Jacques Pitteloud, the Swiss Ambassador to the United States. Madame Pitteloud is committed to sharing humanities history and she highlights success stories on equality, human rights and women’s’ rights. Through her work, there is a focus on Africa.  Madame Pitteloud referenced the film L’Afrique des femmes (Women’s Africa) which she co-produced – the film highlights women off the beaten track; women making change in politics, economics and education.  She stated the continent can and will achieve equality and opportunities for ALL.  She continued that dreams keep us going and can shape reality of the future.    

Marion Kavallieros, is a Greek academic who grew up in Athens, Greece. During the panel discussion she spoke about Spartan women.  In a time when men and women were not viewed equally, Sparta defied other city-states.  Sparta with a population of about 10,000 citizens was different – women were equal to men and enjoyed liberties other women in Greece did not.  They trained for athletic competition, were encouraged to speak in public and were consulted by men.  Spartan women could own property and land and receive inheritance.   Spartan women were honored.    Ms. Kavallieros asked – what happened?  How can we make societies more inclusive?  How can women trust their own voices?  Through education and respect, women can once again rise to the level of reverence that was once common in Sparta.  

As Ambassador A-Baki declared “Everyday should be women’s day”

Happy International Women’s Day!

Filed Under: AAFSW, aafsw events Tagged With: AAFSW Events, AAFSW Programs

February 9, 2022 by content editor

Exercising at Home: Make it Easy, Make it Fun

AAFSW Wellness Workshop on Zoom

Tuesday, Feb. 22

10:30 – noon Washington DC time

Are you stuck at home due to Omicron, winter, or both? Are you missing out on the benefits of exercise, which as you know include more energy, better sleep, and even improved mood? 

Let’s have fun exercising together (with great music!) using the space and objects you already have (no special equipment needed). You’ll learn proven ways to make exercising at home easy, fun and motivating — and you’ll also get a great workout (modified for whatever level you are at now) during the workshop itself.

Special prize to the participant who brings the most interesting international object to use as a hand weight!

Your presenter is certified health coach, personal trainer and AAFSW volunteer Patricia Linderman. Find out more about her work at www.fierceafter45.com.

This is part of a series of wellness workshops organized by AAFSW Program Chair Sheila Switzer. The cost is $10 for AAFSW members and $15 for non-members (all funds go to AAFSW). Sign up here:  https://calendly.com/fierceafter45/exercising-at-home-easy-fun or email office@aafsw.org.  We hope to see you in this fun and active workshop!

 

Sheila Switzer

AAFSW Program Chair

Filed Under: AAFSW Tagged With: AAFSW Programs, wellness workshop

November 8, 2021 by content editor

AAFSW’s Wellness Series: Holiday-Proof Your Health

Monday, Nov. 22

Noon to 1:30 Eastern time, on Zoom (bring your lunch!)

$15 ($10 for paid members), all funds go to AAFSW

 

With all the special foods, family gatherings, and extra obligations, is it even possible to manage stress, get enough exercise, and avoid packing on excess pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, while still enjoying this special season?

Yes it is, and certified health coach Patricia Linderman is here to share four powerful strategies that will help you get even healthier during the next two months, while enjoying the holidays just as much — or perhaps even more than ever!

Because AAFSW’s Art&BookFair fundraiser is not possible due to COVID, we are asking for a $15 contribution ($10 for paid members) for this workshop, all of which goes to AAFSW. 

Please sign up here: https://calendly.com/fierceafter45/holiday-proof-your-health-workshop or contact patricia@fierceafter45.com with any questions. Find out more about Patricia’s work at www.fierceafter45.com .

 

We hope to see you there!

Sheila Switzer

AAFSW Program Chair

Filed Under: AAFSW Tagged With: AAFSW Programs, wellness workshop

November 3, 2021 by AAFSW

Gala Dinner at the Hungarian Embassy

A SPECIAL ADVENT IN HUNGARY

An Evening of Hungarian Music, Dance, and Delicious Hungarian Food

Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 6:00 pm

At the Hungarian Embassy

Dear Friends,

The holiday season is almost here. AAFSW and the AAFSW Crisis Fund Committee will celebrate Advent in Hungary on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 6:00 pm at the Embassy of Hungary located at 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington D.C. 20008.

Join us to enjoy the hospitality of his Excellency Ambassador Szabolcs Takács, the Ambassador of Hungary to the United States, and celebrate the holiday season and the traditions of Christmas in the beautiful country of Hungary. What better way to give and show our support to those in crisis, than to enjoy a lovely evening in Hungarian style, with music, delicious buffet dinner, and dance!

As an extra season’s gift, AAFSW and the AAFSW Crisis Fund Committee will be auctioning another special event: a formal dinner for 14 people offered by his Excellency Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud, the Swiss Ambassador to the United States, and Mrs. Pitteloud at their residence in late January 2022 / early February 2022 (TBD).

The cost for this extraordinary evening is $100.00 per person for AAFSW members and $125.00 per person for non-members (final cost includes a small processing fee). There is limited space, so register as soon as possible.

Please, RSVP by Saturday, December 2, 2021 to: office@aafsw.org or buy a ticket here: https://www.aafsw.org/event/gala-dinner-at-the-hungarian-embassy/

If you have any questions please contact our office manager Barbara Reioux at office@aafsw.org or call 703-820-5420

We look forward to seeing you.

Sheila Switzer, AAFSW Program Chair                                  

Filed Under: AAFSW Tagged With: AAFSW Events, AAFSW Programs, event

June 11, 2021 by content editor

“Turn Around the Pandemic Pounds”

An Interactive Webinar on Zoom organized by AAFSW Program Chair Sheila Switzer

Thursday, June 17

10:30 to noon Washington, DC time

Less active? Stopping by the kitchen too often for snacks? And during the pandemic we’ve all been stressed, which is a known factor in weight gain. 

Whatever the reason, if you’ve noticed a buildup of pounds and inches over the past year, especially around the waistline (where excess fat can have a negative health impact), it’s a good idea to take stock and figure out how to gently turn that trend around.

In this webinar, we’ll look at the easiest, most impactful things you can do right now to send the measuring tape in the right direction, in a healthy and sustainable way. 

It’s not a lecture but an interactive workshop where you choose the top five actions you can commit to today that will make a difference. Some of the ideas may surprise you.  

Your presenter is certified health coach and personal trainer Patricia Linderman; find out more about her work at www.fierceafter45.com, or contact her with any questions at patricia@fierceafter45.com. The webinar is free, with an optional donation to the presenter.

Please register in advance by emailing office@aafsw.org for the Zoom link.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

– Sheila Switzer

AAFSW Program Chair



Filed Under: AAFSW Tagged With: AAFSW Programs, wellness workshop

September 15, 2019 by AAFSW Content Manager

Innocents at Risk: Panel Discussion

Thursday, October 10, 2019
10:30 a.m.
Burns Auditorium, Department of State

The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) cordially invites you to join us at this informative presentation on an important issue — Human Trafficking — that affects society today around the world.

The Panel discussion will take place on Thursday, October 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Burns Auditorium at the George Marshall Center of the State Department in Washington, D.C.

We are featuring two remarkable women: Deborah Sigmund, Founder and President of “Innocents at Risk,” and Alma Tucker, Founder and President of “International Network of Hearts”, who both are doing an amazing job helping and advocating for the rights of the victims of inhumane and slave-like conditions.

RSVP to AAFSW at office@aafsw.org no later than Tuesday, October 8 and send us your driver’s license number or passport number and date of birth for submission to State Department security. In addition, please send a check made out to AAFSW for $5 for members and $10 for non-members to AAFSW Reservations, 4001 9th Street North, Suite 214, Arlington VA, 22203. You can also pay online at www.aafsw.org; Scroll down to find the PayPal payment button on the right sidebar. You do not need to have a PayPal account, but may pay as a guest with your credit card.

Please come to the 21st Street NW entrance of the Department of State, between C Street and Virginia Avenue. There is no number on the building, but if you enter “330 21stStreet NW” in your GPS, that will give you the location. After going through security, go up the ramp, and through the heavy double doors into the original 21st Street lobby. We will be checking in guests on the left side of the lobby.

We look forward to seeing you.

Warmest regards,
Sheila Switzer
AAFSW Program Chair

Mrs. Deborah Sigmund is the Founder and Director of Innocents at Risk, a nonprofit established in April 2005 to help stop the trafficking of women and children.

The U.S. Department of State endorsed Innocents at Risk in 2005 for its efforts on behalf of the millions of women and children who are trafficked annually worldwide. In 2008, Innocents at Risk established The Flight Attendant Initiative after meeting Senior Flight Attendant Sandra Fiorini Hodges, who informed Deborah, “Flight attendants see what you are talking about in planes and in the airports, but we don’t know what to do about it.” Innocents at Risk produced a brochure with Polaris and The National Hotline Number: “Protecting Women and Children from Human Trafficking.” Sandra began distributing these brochures in every international flight to all the flight attendants.

Innocents at Risk became a distribution center for all flight attendants. The training grew and flight attendants were training each other! In 2009, Deborah took the Flight Attendant Initiative to DHS. An official protocol was established after several meetings with Deborah and Sandra for attendants to use during their flights. That protocol is used today! Deborah introduced the Flight Attendant Initiative to Nancy Rivard and Airline Ambassadors. Airline Ambassadors continues to train flight attendants and airline personnel in the US and abroad.

In 2010, Deborah met with the Secretary of Transportation, Secretary Raymond Lahood. Secretary Lahood had everyone in Transportation trained to recognize and report situations of Human Trafficking! In 2013, Deborah received the D.C. Metropolitan Area Mother of the Year Award from American Mothers, the organization established in 1935 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to recognize Mothers of the highest achievements in their state.

In April 2010 Deborah received the annual Making a Difference Award from the Soroptomist International – Alexandria Chapter. In May of 2010 Deborah received the RubiAward from the Soroptomist International – U.S. Chapter, in recognition of her outstanding work
to improve the lives of women.

Please note the photo of Deborah Sigmund is by Neshan H. Naltchayan.

 

Ms. Alma Tucker – A former investigative officer for the Child Protection Unit with the Mexican Consulate General in San Diego, CA. She is founder and President of International Network of Hearts (INH) based in San Diego, CA, and Tijuana, Mexico. Alma Tucker has had over 20 years of experience assisting victims of human trafficking and advocating for their rights, within the border region of Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, CA.

Alma is also the founder of La Casa Del Jardin, the only group homes in Baja California designed for children and young adults ages 18 to 24 years old who survived human trafficking.

Through INH, Alma provides training and education at an interdisciplinary and binational level to authorities, civic groups, church organizations and the public/private sector. Since 2017, Alma has served as an academic honorary member of the National Commission of the Ministry of Interior to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Human Trafficking, in Mexico.

Alma is committed to supporting victims of human trafficking suffering severe forms of violence from sexual and physical assaults, imprisonment, gang rapes, torture, threats to themselves and their families, especially but not inclusively, victims of forced-sex labor.

In 2019, Alma was invited to the White House in Washington, DC to discuss Human Trafficking issues at the U.S./Mexican border. Alma was also invited to speak in The Rayburn Building at the Capitol on Women’s Day in Washington, and at the Global Sustainability Network (GSN) at the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

Alma received her degree in Clinical Psychology from CETYS University in Mexico.

Filed Under: AAFSW Tagged With: AAFSW Programs

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