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In a 70-28 vote, the Senate voted today to confirm Linda Thomas-Greenfield as United States Ambassador to the United Nation; being the third African-American and second African-American woman to hold this position.
Ms. Thomas-Greenfield will assume leadership of the U.N. Security Council on March 1st; an accomplishment that continues to highlight this woman's roots and accomplishments.
Being born and raised in Baker, Louisiana, Linda Thomas-Greenfield had first-hand experience of segregated schools and has recounted on how she saw the K.K.K. burning a cross in people's yards.
Despite the harsh realities of growing up in the 1950s, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield served on the Foreign Services as an ambassador for Liberia from 2008-2012 before she was the director general for about a year. From 2013-2017, she served as the top United States diplomat for African affairs, where she helped oversee the response to the Ebola epidemic.
She has introduced the American public to a new phrase she calls "gumbo diplomacy" and explained her professional philosophy developed over more than three decades in the Foreign Service as such: "Diplomacy is driven by relationships, and talking about difficult topics while chopping onions for a gumbo sauce can break barriers and foster success."
This is a woman who is ready to bring nations and people together and we are proud to see those Southern aspects of love, community, and ingenuity come through in her time as the United States Ambassador.
"Congratulations from the City of Baker and myself on this great occasion. The City, Parish, and State are extremely proud of Ms. Thomas-Greenfield and look forward to her successful tenure as the Ambassador to the U.N.," stated Mayor Waites once news of her confirmation was received.
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