Last fall, ten visitors from Algeria, the Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Haiti, Morocco, Senegal, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe visited Pensacola as a part of the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on a project titled “Women as Political Leaders.” One purpose of their visit was “to explore how leaders increasingly integrate the concerns of women into the political discourse.”
Council member Sherri Myers welcomed the group at Pensacola City Hall and discussed the history of the region and the challenges facing women who run for office. The group also participated in an interactive leadership development workshop run by President/CEO of the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce Kristen Loera and former Chamber Board Chair Karen Jurkowich. The group also spent time discussing their work and interacting with Myra Van Hoose of the Institute for Women in Politics of Northwest Florida. A main focal point here was the gender gap in the political offices of northwest Florida.
The itinerary also focused on services for women so the visitors spent a great deal of time at FAVORHouse (Family Anti Violence Through An Organized Response) where they met with both Fred Sulzbach (Director of Programming) and Sue Hand (Executive Director). The conversation centered on domestic violence prevention, services for families, and education.
It was a joy meeting this group and the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks everyone who contributed to the success of this project.
