Secretary of State Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad

The SOSA Award is important for the Foreign Service community because it increases public awareness of the vital volunteer work done overseas by diplomatic family members and officers and inspires them to intensify the desire to volunteer at all levels.

The best part of receiving the SOSA award for me was getting to meet the other recipients serving in different countries around the world. It was exceptionally meaningful to see the different ways each of us had volunteered in the communities at our posts, with each recipient doing something unique to their skills and the local context. As a family member, joining my husband on his overseas assignments is not only personally fulfilling but also is an opportunity for me to serve my country as well. 

Receiving the SOSA reminded me that my work on public diplomacy programming in Guangzhou, China was not confined to individual events but also contributed more broadly to U.S. Mission goals overseas. Volunteerism is essential to the U.S. Foreign Service both in the way officers and family members give back to the communities that welcome us but also in how we present our country to the rest of the world. The SOSA’s recognition of officer and family member volunteer contributions is a powerful, annual reminder of that.

Winning the SOSA award has meant the world to me – it’s a recognition that giving back to our community matters and is an integral part of being in the Foreign Service. By winning this award, I’ve been introduced to new and amazing people and gotten new ideas and motivation for new projects that will make a difference. Past SOSA winners are some of the most creative and giving people in the Foreign Service!

It was an honor to be included in this incredible group of people who have made life better for others around the globe. Winning the SOSA Award has stirred me to keep giving of my time, talent and resources. There is still so much to do. 

Awards are great and motivate you to continue serving others. Having received the SOSA award for our collective work in helping special needs children, the elderly and the less fortunate in Mexico has inspired me to continue serving others.

There is not a better feeling than to see the expression of a 12-year-old girl hearing for the first time because we were able to get her a hearing aid; helping a senior citizen seeing better with a new pair of eyeglasses; getting the host county to allow a group of special-needs students to use horses for emotional therapy; or being identified by your human scent by a bedridden blind boy.  

I am grateful for receiving the SOSA award particularly because giving is important in my life.  But most importantly, I am honored for being able to proudly serve as a goodwill ambassador for the United States government.

Less important is getting recognized with an award, but what is important is to know that what you do with love makes a difference and does not go unnoticed.