Statement in Support of Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins’ Immediate Confirmation by the United States Senate as the U.S. Department of State Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security
In January 2021, President Joseph Biden nominated Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins to serve as the Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. This role is one of pivotal importance as the President’s nominee will advise the White House and the Secretary of State on arms control and disarmament, and a host of other international security issues..
On April 28, 2021, Amb. Jenkins testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In her testimony, she stated “My commitment to public service has always included advancing opportunities for all Americans.” She highlighted that if confirmed, she will bring the breadth of her experience and leadership to bear on the challenges that the United States is facing by “reducing the risk of nuclear war through effective arms control, limiting Russian and Chinese nuclear expansion, strengthening our efforts in biosecurity, pursuing accountability for the use of chemical weapons, and promoting a diverse workforce.” Amb. Jenkins underscoring her top priorities mentioned that the United States must strengthen deterrence alliances in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific to deter and defend against growing threats and also develop and implement norms of responsible behavior in outer space while meeting challenges that emerging technologies pose to strategic stability.
It has been five months since President Biden’s nomination of Amb. Jenkins to this vital position – yet Amb. Jenkins awaits her confirmation. Her nomination as the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security is a testament to the crucial role that she has played as a public servant – as a naval reserves officer, a lawyer negotiating key US arms control treaties, a skilled diplomat, an academic educating the next generation, and an exemplary voice to raise and uplift the under-represented communities. Statements by Foreign Policy for America, Arms Control Association and Alliance for Peacebuilding and in the National Interest all strongly support Ambassador Jenkins’ confirmation. Individuals in the peace, national security, and foreign policy communities from both parties recognize the value of her continued contributions to these fields.
We, members of the WCAPS community, recognize the important role that Amb. Jenkins will be in the United States government. In this open letter, we make a strong call to action for her immediate confirmation to lead the Department of State US global efforts on international security issues. In this letter, we also elaborate on how Amb. Jenkins has injected creativity, integrity, humanity, and amity into her work as a selfless advocate of women and girls of color who seek careers in arms control, nonproliferation, and other areas of international security. Additionally, we wish to emphasize how Amb. Jenkins has been an active mentor to several of us and has been working to build a diversified workforce. She is especially engaged with girls and women of color whose voices and presence in peace and security, including national security fields, lack adequate representation.
Amb. Jenkins founded Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) in 2017, and the organization quickly became a platform not only for her passion and commitment to building the next generation of women change-makers, but also for the pipeline of experienced women of color peace and security professionals she successfully created. Her ongoing legacy inspires us not only to thrive but to pave the way for other women of color and to create a seat at the table. Notwithstanding her accomplishments and busy schedule, she is always willing to actively advocate for and uplift women and people of color around her. Though the organization was only started four years ago, the WCAPS mission has clearly resonated worldwide.
The enthusiasm with which women of color have flocked to this organization clearly proves that space to share common experiences, challenges and expertise were sorely missing. Additionally, since the 2020 summer racial justice protests, she has launched numerous initiative, pipeline programs, working groups and Chapters of WCAPS, including the rganizations in Solidarity (OiS) a partnership of over 250 organizations to reduce racism and discrimination in the workplace.
During the Obama Administration, Amb. Jenkins served as the Coordinator for Cooperative Threat Reduction Programs, leading the charge during the four landmark Nuclear Security Summits that sought to bring about President Obama’s vision of "the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons." Amb. Jenkins also participated in the U.S. government interagency team that established and launched the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA). Between administrations, she has held many positions, including chair of the Committee on Radioactive Sources: Applications and Alternative Technologies of the National Academies of Sciences; nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution; senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs; and, adjunct professor at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and the Georgetown University Law Center.
Her academic background is equally impressive as she holds a doctorate from the University of Virginia; a Master of Laws from Georgetown University; a Master of Public Administration from the State University of New York at Albany; a Juris Doctor from Albany Law School; and a bachelor's degree from Amherst College. While many people are content to ‘make it’ in their individual careers, what distinguishes Amb. Jenkins is her commitment to pave the way for countless others.
WCAPS’ core mission is to ensure that women of color are fearless and able to pursue their dreams and passions to have equal opportunities and a seat at the table on issues of peace and security. Amb. Jenkins has been at the forefront of these efforts, setting an example. In a world where women of color are excluded for various reasons, Amb. Jenkins has created and continues to open doors for girls and women of color, and lead a movement that shapes the pathways for women of color professionals in the nuclear policy field and beyond.
For all these reasons and many more, we, members of WCAPS, submit this letter strongly supporting and urging Amb. Jenkins’ immediate confirmation for Undersecretary for State on Arms Control and International Security. In addition to this letter with signatures demonstrating the overwhelming support for Amb. Jenkins’ immediate confirmation, we have also included several detailed testimonials from women impacted by her leadership. Thank you for your time and attention to this letter of support.