Thursday, September 16 | 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET
Watch on YouTube

Diplomatic service is truly a family affair, where every family member is able to contribute to US diplomatic efforts. While serving overseas, diplomatic spouses are responsible for supporting the diplomatic mission, fostering diplomatic relations, and adapting their family to a new way of life, all while trying to forge their own path.

Despite a diplomatic spouse’s integral role in US diplomacy, the stresses and rewards of this unique public service often go unnoticed. In this virtual conversation, five ambassadors’ spouses will recount their experiences, the unique challenges they faced, and how they made significant contributions in their role.

This virtual program is provided by the Diplomacy Center Foundation and the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) and is part of a Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American Diplomacy and the Foreign Service. To learn more about ADST’s Cox Spouse Oral History Project, click here.

Meet the Panelists:

• • Bonnie Miller (moderator) accompanied her husband Tom on tours over his 29-year career in the Foreign Service, which culminated with ambassadorships in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1999-2001) and Greece (2001-2004). They raised two children while in the Foreign Service. Bonnie is a psychotherapist, professor, anti-trafficking activist, and trainer on mental health, education, and conflict resolution. She is currently the lead interviewer and host for ADST’s Cox Spouse Oral History Podcast Project, Partners in Diplomacy.

• • Vicki Butler was a foreign correspondent in Thailand when she met her husband, Tim Carney, in 1978. She continued to work as a journalist, freelance writer, and editor throughout most of his Foreign Service career. Tim served as ambassador to Sudan (1995-1997) and to Haiti (1998-2000). During their time in Sudan, Vicki taught English at Ahfad University. She did freelance writing and editing in Haiti. After Tim retired, they produced an illustrated book on Sudan. Vicki spent 2006 to 2018 working for three different inspectors general writing and editing reports for Congress.

• • Clayton Bond is an attorney, small business co-owner, and activist who served in the Foreign Service in South America, Washington, and Asia from 2001 to 2017. He married Ted Osius in 2006, and they adopted two children in 2014 and 2015. Ted served as Ambassador to Vietnam from 2014 to 2017.

• • Antonia (Toni) Stearns is a member of a three-generation Foreign Service family. She was raised in Europe and Washington, DC, by her Foreign Service family in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s before marrying Monteagle (Monty) Stearns in 1961. Together, they spent the next 26 years at posts in Africa and Europe, including Monty’s ambassadorships to the Ivory Coast (1976-1979) and Greece (1981-1985). They raised four children in the Foreign Service. Their daughter and son-in-law are currently 15-year tandem Foreign Service officers.

• • Gretchen Welch joined the Foreign Service in March 1980. She met David Welch at their first posting in Islamabad, Pakistan, and they married in 1983. They were a tandem couple for 26 years—serving together in Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt—and raised three daughters. Gretchen’s last tour was in London, serving as the US coordinator for support to the 2012 London Olympics. David was chargé d’affaires in Saudi Arabia (1992-1994) and ambassador to Egypt (2001-2005). After retiring, Gretchen obtained a postgraduate diploma in Asian Art from SOAS University of London. She serves on the boards of the American University of Cairo and charities involved in the Middle East.

Images:

• • • Top left: Bonnie Miller and Ambassador Tom Miller help rebuild homes following conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2001. Courtesy of Bonnie Miller.
    • Bottom left: Toni Stearns and Monteagle (Monty) Stearns attend an event. Courtesy of Toni Stearns.
    • Right: Clayton Bond, Ambassador Ted Osius, and their two children are photographed for Đẹp Magazine. Image text reads, “Soft Power in Ambassadors.” Courtesy of Clayton Bond.