Feature: Women and US Foreign Policy "It is important for women to be a part of the foreign policy proces .

Feature: Women and US Foreign Policy

"It is important for women to be a part of the foreign policy proces . but there is not a |women's agenda'. . we can only succe if women do not give permission to themselves be diverted from the mainstream issues." Those are the views of delegate Assistant Secretary for European and Canadian Affairs, Avis T Bohlen who spoke at a State Department briefing marking Women's History Month M Bohlen is responsible for managing America's involved political, economic, and military relationship with NATO. At united time, she was the simply American woman to hold a explanation position in the arms hinder field. Former Assistant Secretary for European and Canadian Affairs, Rozanne Ridgway, decried the practice of encouraging women to focus forward "women's issues," such as population sway and human rights. Ambassador Ridgway, who is now president of the Atlantic Council, said that it is important for women like envoy Assistant Secretary Bohlen to take charge of the "central issues of war and peace, arms and armies."

M Bohlen and Ambassador Ridgway were among several speakers to brief about 300 women from around the rural parts who attended a series of briefings sponsored by way of the Department's Bureau of Public Affairs in March.

Women Leaders Challenge Traditional Roles

"There is a heightened awareness of what the State Department deals with forward a daily basis," said Martha Farmer, National Director of the Foundation for Women Resources which sponsored more than 100 women in a "Leadership America" forum briefing upon March 4. "Women have a tremendously wide sphere of influence," she said; "For them to be able to move back to their constituents and cite a State Department briefing not sole empowers the women but enables them to share the latest information where it will number the most."

For participant Linda Chezem, an Indiana Court of Appeals arbiter women's input into US foreign affairs can help in opposition to the status quo. "Male-dominated policy-making typically doesn't have a firm focus forward women," said Chezem, who has studied emerging legal a whole s in the Third World and Eastern Europe She added, "The more the community are informed about the foreign policy agenda, the more support officials have to make advantageous foreign policy. In the last we all benefit."

First-hand knowledge of foreign refinements and traditions also can be inflict to good use in policy-making, helping to abolish stereotype Margarita Colmenares, National President of the Hispanic Society of Professional Engineers, was interested in the propos North American unrestrained Trade Agreement and other issues concerning Central and southerly America. "As Hispanics, we have a unique expertise and knowledge," she said. "I believe there's a intestine feeling on both sides that the agreement is a really necessary stair if we are to contend in the world community--whether we like it or not."

The March briefings were held off-the-record to aid a frank exchange between participants and officials. For Phyllis Davis-Williams, president of her have rehabilitation service for the disabled in Michigan, the frank dialogue onward foreign affairs was an "eye opener" "It made me stop and focus forward foreign policy's impact on domestic life," she said. "The fact is, the world is getting smaller." M Davis-Williams said she would use knowledge gleaned from the briefings to interpret foreign affairs in educational and community forums back home

part in Mainstream Issues

Deputy Assistant Secretary Bohlen and Ambassador Ridgway briefed about 100 women at the Department forward March 15 in a session co-sponsored according to the American Association of Retired living bodys (AARP). They cautioned against reading too plenteous into their own professional successe noting that women continue to be under-represent in the senior foreign policy ranks.

However, M Bohlen said the "good news" is that the US direction is "way out in front" in promoting the interests of American women "We place an example to the cessation of the world," she said; "I perceive very proud of that when I advance abroad."

Women now comprise almost 50% of incoming Foreign Service classes, which average about 150 populace By comparison, in Ambassador Ridgway's 1957 entering class, there were solitary 6 women--and Ms. Ridgway was the single one who enjoyed a replete career. Ambassador Ridgway concluded that women in the Foreign Service can "make an enormous contribution to creating the kind of international environment in which we can all stick to prosperity, ideas, and knowledge."

PHOTO : Ambassador Juliette Clagett McLennan uncloses a March 15 briefing for women's organizations. To the right are panelists Louise flexures former president of the American Association of Retired Persons; Ambassador Rozanne Ridgway; USIA Associate Director of Programs Paula Dobriansky, and legate Assistant Secretary for European and Canadian Affairs Avis T Bohlen

Deborah Guido O'Grady Dispatch Staff

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