Top News
International Expertise
Since 1997, Stephenie’s work has taken her to more than 20 countries, including a year in Afghanistan. She has worked in every region of the world, and she has also trained numerous groups who have traveled to the US. She has participated in numerous international programs and projects sponsored by the United States State Department, the Vital Voices Global Partnership, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) and others. This work has focused on programs to increase core civic engagement skills, strategic planning, corporate governance and project planning and management. Global Speaker, “Women’s Leadership: Successful Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals,” Women Parliamentarian Legislative Exchange (House Democracy Partnership/International Republican Institute), Washington, DC, November 17, 2014. Guest Lecturer, “Empowering Women for Global Leadership,” Berea College Women … Read entire article »
Recent Blogs
Asia/Pacific
Speaker, “Focusing on Women in Foreign Policy” Afghan Diplomats Training Program, International Visitor Leadership Program, Washington, DC, October 23, 2014. US Delegation Head, Meetings of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and ASEAN Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Women (ACWC), Yangon, Myanmar, October 14-15, 2014. Speaker, “Women as Political Leaders,” International Visitor Leadership Program (Afghanistan/Pakistan/Nepal), Washington, DC, March 4, 2014. Panelist, “Prospects for Afghan Women”, United States Institute of Peace, Washington, DC, December 17, 2013. Speaker, “Public Speaking & Building Self Confidence,” Kabul University, September 2012. Speaker, “Strategies for Communicating the Importance of Your Work,” Delegation of ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, Washington, DC, April 19, 2012. Speaker/Trainer, … Read entire article »
Europe/former Soviet Union
Speaker, “Role of Global Women’s Issues,” Open World Kosovo Exchange, Washington, DC, January 9, 2014. Speaker, “Building Leadership Capacities of Women in Politics, Business, Media and Government in Bosnia Herzegovina,” U.S. Embassy, Banja Luka, Sarajevo and Mostar, April 23-28, 2012. Speaker, 2012 Election Analysis, US State Department Digital Video Conference (DVC) with US Embassy in Cyprus, December 2011. Conference Facilitator, Supporting Womens Political Participation in Armenia: Building a National Womens Platform, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)/USAID, Yerevan, Armenia, May 18-19, 2011. Facilitated a two day meeting of 300 plus Armenian women (and some men) from very diverse backgrounds and affiliations with a goal of developing a draft womens policy platform for use in advocacy for changes … Read entire article »
Talking Women Peace & Security in the Dog Days of August
I was honored to speak at a packed event in late August, focusing on women, peace and security issues, and sponsored by Women in International Security. Despite it being late August (or perhaps because of it), the room was full of interested and engaged participants. It was a great discussion about how to involve more women – at every level – in building strong and sustainable communities. Here’s a blog about the event. … Read entire article »
Politics & Election Strategy
Speaker, “Women’s Leadership: Successful Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals,” Women Parliamentarian Legislative Exchange (House Democracy Partnership/International Republican Institute), Washington, DC, November 17, 2014. Speaker, “Women in Political and Social Sectors,” International Visitor Leadership Program, Washington, DC, October 21, 2014. Panelist, “The Feminist Voice in Politics,” Day of the Girl Summit/She’s The First {American}, Washington, DC, October 4, 2014. Guest Lecturer, “Elections: A Global Perspective,” Women & 2014 Elections: US and Around the World, American University School of Public Affairs, Washington, DC, September 27, 2014. Guest Lecturer, “Women Through a Global Lens,” Introduction to Women and Politics, American University Women & Politics Institute, Washington, DC, September 14, 2014. Panelist, “Madame Parliamentarian: Lebanese Women in Politics,” American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Washington, … Read entire article »
Increasing Political Participation & Women’s Leadership
Speaker, “Women’s Leadership: Successful Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals,” Women Parliamentarian Legislative Exchange (House Democracy Partnership/International Republican Institute), Washington, DC, November 17, 2014. Guest Lecturer, “Empowering Women for Global Leadership,” Berea College Women in Public Service Program, Berea, KY, November 12, 2014. Speaker, “Women in Political and Social Sectors,” International Visitor Leadership Program, Washington, DC, October 21, 2014. Keynote Speaker, Day of the Girl Summit/She’s The First {American}, Washington, DC, October 4, 2014. Panelist, “The Feminist Voice in Politics,” Day of the Girl Summit/She’s The First {American}, Washington, DC, October 4, 2014. Guest Lecturer, “Elections: A Global Perspective,” Women & 2014 Elections: US and Around the World, American University School of Public Affairs, Washington, DC, September 27, 2014. Guest Lecturer, … Read entire article »
Teaching Experience
Stephenie is a regular lecturer at classes addressing women, politics, leadership and public service. She is a Professorial Lecturer at the Women & Politics Institute at American University (AU) in Washington, DC where she teaches courses on women and public policy. During the summer and fall of 2011, she taught a newly designed class on Women World Leaders at AU. Since 2005, she has taught: Women World Leaders; Women and the United Nations; Women, Politics and Public Policy;and Advocating for Women’s Rights. She is also the designer of a two week certificate program entitled, African Women’s Leadership in Public Life, which was a partnership of Vital Voices African Women’s Leadership Initiative and American University’s Women & Politics … Read entire article »
“The success of women worldwide rests in holding political offices”
Here’s a link to my recent interview on the “Women of Washington” show on Federal News Radio. What great questions by hosts Aileen Black and Gigi Schumm, both accomplished women of Washington themsleves! … Read entire article »
Dr. Abdi: Keeps Hope Alive
I just finished this amazing – and inspiring – autobiography of Dr. Hawa Abdi and her work in Somalia. I’ve heard Dr. Abdi speak several times, and met one of her courageous daughters, Dr. Deqo Abdi. But, the book provides so much more insight than those interactions. It gives a clear and nuanced account of her life, her accomplishments, her challenges and her work. Somalia is a tough place to do this work – taking in families, providing needed health care and other services. While most would shy away from the challenges, or be deterred by them, Dr. Abdi and her daughters are not. But the book is much more than a guide to her work and her … Read entire article »
Middle East/North Africa
Panelist, “Responding to ISIS Violence against Women and Girls,” University of Virginia/AMAR/Presidential Precinct/University of Virginia Women’s Center, Charlottesville, VA, October 27, 2014. Panelist, “Madame Parliamentarian: Lebanese Women in Politics,” American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Washington, DC, May 27, 2014. Speaker, “Women’s Empowerment and Professional Development through Networking,” International Visitor Leadership Program (Saudi Arabia), Washington, DC, March 26, 2014. Speaker, “Women Leading Africa,” Senator Chris Coons Annual Opportunity: Africa Conference, Wilmington, DE, March 10, 2014. Panelist, “Arab Spring or Arab Autumn: Women’s Political Participation in the Arab Uprisings and Beyond,” Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington, DC, January 30, 2014. Speaker, “Women Leaders: Promoting Peace and Security,” International Visitor Leadership Program (Iraqi Women), Washington, DC, January 31, 2014. Speaker, “Women’s Leadership Roles,” US State Department … Read entire article »