For the entire month of May, the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council hosted two Pakistani leaders through the U.S. Department of State’s Legislative Fellows Program. Both women stayed with a host family to learn about American culture and family life and were mentored by Diane Mack, president of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida and founder of the Women’s Civic Forum.
To introduce them to the community, they first attended a community coffee where they met a variety of locals. As part of their orientation, they also visited the National Naval Aviation Museum and watched a Blue Angels flight demonstration, visited the T.T. Wentworth Museum, toured Historic Pensacola Village, and canoed and picnicked on the Blackwater River.
Due to Pensacola’s slew of organizations encouraging community involvement, the two women participated in many meetings and had hands-on activities at several. Attending the Women’s Civic Forum and the annual meeting of the League of Women Voters, discussing women’s empowerment with Diane Mack, meeting with Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford, having lunch with Ann Regan and the Pensacola Women’s Alliance, and meeting with Ray Hudkins of the Coffee Party to highlight governmental cooperation all allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the American political system as did attendance at an Escambia County Board of County Commissioners Public Forum. A coffee on their last weekday in town at the home of Janet deLorge allowed them time to ask final questions to members of the League of Women Voters; and in terms of leadership building, their presence at Leadercast, a one-day leadership event broadcast worldwide from Atlanta, engaged their interests alongside members of the Pensacola Young Professionals.
Although it was a large focus, the women’s project was not limited to politics. They also frequently volunteered and participated in discussions concerning cultural diversity, domestic violence, criminal reform, and childhood development. FavorHouse, MANNA Food Bank, and Pathways for Change provided extended shadowing experiences for the two, giving them a glimpse into those organization’s inner workings; and time spent with the Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Resource Center, N.B. Cook Elementary School, the PACE Center for Girls, the MESS Hall, and Vivian Lamont with her Belmont Youth Band allowed them to learn more about American society. A valuable discussion with Melanie Nichols, President of the North Hill Preservation Association, focused on capacity building for citizens while a visit to the Escambia County Extension Service Demonstration Gardens gave an overview of volunteerism, community education, and the role of the Extension Service.
The two ladies also attended the White Rose Luncheon, held to raise awareness and funds for the FavorHouse fight against domestic violence, and met with the Gulf Breeze Youth in Government Symposium which aims to educate high school juniors and seniors on the workings of the government. Maren DeWeese, Vivian Faircloth, Georgia Blackmon, Sheriff David Morgan, John Appleyard, Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, Rachael Miller at Baptist Health Care, Dr. Katherine Romack, City of Pensacola Council Member Sherri Myers, Dr. Jerry Johnson and his team at the University of West Florida, and Carly Bordon at The Daily Brew all contributed to the ladies’ understanding of American society. To discuss transparency in the media and government, the women met with Rick Outzen of The Independent News.
The two also participated in a speaking engagement, Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan: Breaking the Glass, where they shared their work and answered questions to a standing-room-only crowd at the West Florida Public Library.
The visitors’ calendars were filled with so many community and political involvement opportunities and we thank everyone involved for allowing us to share our corner of America, especially Jeannine Van Reeth who hosted them in her home for their month-long stay and introduced them to her friends and neighbors. Their visit also would not have been possible without the invaluable help of facilitators Susan Senkarik, Patricia McGraw, and Gary McGraw and we greatly appreciate the generous hospitality of Julie Tippins Parker, Mike and Debbie Layton, Bill and Linda Wade, Gerry and Leslie Yandle, and Trudy Walden. Our office could not do its work without the support of the community – Thank you!
