Statement Congratulating Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley as the First Chief Diversity Officer at the US Department of State

August 12, 2021

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) congratulates Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley as the First Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) at the United States Department of State. Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley is a member of the WCAPS Advisory Council and has been active in WCAPS, serving as a role model to many young girls and women of color.. Ambassador Ambercrombie-Winstanley has advocated for an inclusive State Department and her leadership will be a critical factor in promoting the Biden Administration’s goal to promote a State Department that looks like America. 

WCAPS is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2017 dedicated to advancing the leadership and professional development of women of color in the fields of peace, security, conflict transformation, and foreign policy. At WCAPS, we have continued to advocate for a diverse and inclusive State Department, which reflects the diversity of the United States and the global community. Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley’s position seeks to hold the department accountable to that very idea.

As WCAPS, we believe that global issues demand a variety of perspectives. Our government personnel should include that richness and the views of America and its diaspora, whose families and ancestors are located in many countries we seek to engage. It is imperative that the State Department show those that we interact with overseas that the United States values the voices of all of its citizens. In addition, a more diverse State Department improves overall decision making processes and final decisions themselves because such engagements will have the input of diverse voices and perspectives, and promote a more robust process of negotiations and discussions.

Last year’s GAO Report on the US Department of State found that the overall numbers for minorities is very low, and that the proportion of racial or ethnic minorities and women was lowest at management and executive levels. Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley’s appointment is a huge step forward in identifying and addressing the barriers that require change at the Department. However, we must also remember that diversity must be a priority at every level and every department, agency, and bureau of the government, and not just at State. 

We applaud the decision to create a CDO and for appointing Ambassador Abercrombie-Winstanley to that position. We are happy to lend our hand to the important work that she and the Department will do on the important issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Onward.