Elizabeth Slater and Director General Carol Perez sit in armchairs on the stage for the launch of the Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy initiative.

Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy

August 26, 2019

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Introducing the “Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy” Initiative:

Recognizing Heroes from Our Past and Present

Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy

In September 2019, the U.S. Department of State launched a new initiative called “Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy.” Over the coming year, the Department of State will highlight modern-day “Heroes Among Us,” alongside heroes from our Department’s rich history. These heroes have displayed sound policy judgment, as well as intellectual, moral and even physical courage while advancing U.S. foreign policy goals.

U.S. diplomatic missions overseas and domestic bureaus nominated current or recently retired Department of State employees for modern-day selectees. The Department of State’s Office of the Historian nominated figures for the historical portion of this initiative. Heroes may be current or former Civil Servants, Foreign Service Generalists or Specialists, non-career appointees, or Eligible Family Members and Locally Employed Staff affiliated with the Department of State. The finalists were selected by a Steering Committee comprised of senior Department officials.

For general inquiries, please direct your message to HeroesOfDiplomacy@state.gov.

The inaugural Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy honoree, Elizabeth Slater, poses with U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and her family members in front of Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy banners.
The inaugural Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy honoree, Elizabeth Slater, poses with U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and her family members. (Left to Right: Forbes Slater, Ms. Slater, Secretary Pompeo, Charles Slater).
U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo introduces the inaugural selectee of the Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy initiative at the launch event at the U.S. Department of State on September 13, 2019.
U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo introduces the inaugural selectee of the Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy initiative at the launch event at the U.S. Department of State on September 13, 2019.
Ambassador Smith Leads Moderated Panel Discussion at the Heroes Of U.S. Diplomacy Event Honoring Diplomatic Officers and U.S. Consuls During World War I
Foreign Service Institute Director Ambassador Daniel B. Smith moderates panel discussion at the Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy event at the U.S. Department of State on October 29, 2019.
Panelist Dr. Lindsay Krasnoff discusses the contributions of diplomatic officers and their volunteer spouses, who helped oversee massive relief initiatives to help civilians. Pictured on screen: Mildred Barnes Bliss.
Panelist Dr. Lindsay Krasnoff discusses the contributions of diplomatic officers and their volunteer spouses, who helped oversee massive relief initiatives to help civilians. Pictured on screen: Mildred Barnes Bliss.
Foreign Service Institute Deputy Director Ambassador Julieta Valls Noyes interviews Heroes of U.S. Diplomacy honoree Robert Hopkins at the U.S. Department of State on November 20, 2019.

U.S. Department of State

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