Top News
Insights from the US-China People to People Exchange
Here’s my latest Huffington Post blog, co-authored with a colleague, Catherine Silvey. We focus on how the work of the US-China People to People Exchange has focused on women. … Read entire article »
Recent Blogs
My Weekend in Kabul
This post says it all, and reflects why I believe in Afghanistan: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephenie-foster/my-weekend-in-kabul_b_10248610.html … Read entire article »
Wazhma Frogh: When Courage Means Leadership
As we mark 10 years of the US State Department’s prestigious International Women of Courage award, here’s my blog about Wazhma Frogh, a 2009 winner and a friend. … Read entire article »
Asia/Pacific
Moderator, Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Dialogue, New York, NY, March 16, 2016. Keynote Speaker, “The Nexus of Success: How Women’s Political and Economic Empowerment are Intertwined,” 2016 Workshop on Enhancing Prosperity and Opportunity for Women in the Asia-Pacific Region, Taipei, Taiwan, March 11, 2016. Speaker, “Promoting Gender Equality in Afghanistan,” Afghanistan Familiarization Course, U. S. Foreign Service Institute, Arlington, VA, September 25, 2015, October 23, 2015. Speaker and panelist, “Gender and Peace-Building: the U.S. Experience,” Advancing Women’s Leadership and Participation in Peace-Building and Disaster Risk Reduction, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, Tokyo, Japan, August 27, 2015. Moderator, “Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Global Economy,” US-China People to … Read entire article »
Sub-Saharan Africa
Speaker, “Developing Civil Society: Women in Leadership”, International Visitor Leadership Program (focus on Africa), US State Department, Washington, DC, March 28, 2016. Speaker, “Women Leading Africa,” Senator Chris Coons Annual Opportunity: Africa Conference, Wilmington, DE, March 10, 2014 Moderator, “Reflections on Study Mission of MPs from Burkina Faso to the US,” National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Washington, DC, June 20, 2012. Speaker, Civil Society’s Role in Advancing and Sustaining Democracy, U.S. Department of State Speakers Program, Swaziland, October 2011. Trainer/expert, Advocacy and Message Development, Africa Businesswomens Network (ABWN) Biannual Meeting, Accra, Ghana, August 28-31, 2010. Trainer, Leadership in Political Life, Women as Political Leaders: A Regional Project for Anglophone/Francophone Africa, Meridian International Center, Washington, DC, May 27, 2010. Trainer, … Read entire article »
An Amazing Day Honoring 14 “Rosies”
Reposting for Veteran’s Day: Over this last weekend, I went to an extremely inspiring event at the Dutch Embassy – a celebration of the contributions of American Rosie the Riveters. The Dutch held this event to thank these remarkable women – and the millions of women they represent — for their contributions to ending WWI and specifically liberating the Netherlands. The 14 women honored were just truly amazing. They made such a difference in war efforts, but they also helped us all question the roles that women can play in every aspect of society. For me, I was able to talk to them about what I do precisely because of what they did for all of us, … Read entire article »
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 Keynote Speaker, “The Nexus of Success: How Women’s Political and Economic Empowerment are Intertwined,” 2016 Workshop on Enhancing … Read entire article »
Increasing Political Participation & Women’s Leadership
Panelist, “Women’s Leadership Initiative: Supporting Government and Building Coalitions for Catalytic Change,” World Bank, Washington, DC, April 20, 2016. Keynote Speaker, “The Nexus of Success: How Women’s Political and Economic Empowerment are Intertwined,” 2016 Workshop on Enhancing Prosperity and Opportunity for Women in the Asia-Pacific Region, Taipei, Taiwan, March 11, 2016. Panelist, “Women and Decision Making,” Symposium on Women and National Security, University of Pennsylvania Law School Journal of International Law, Philadelphia, PA, November 7, 2015. Speaker and panelist, “Gender and Peace-Building: the U.S. Experience,” Advancing Women’s Leadership and Participation in Peace-Building and Disaster Risk Reduction, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, Tokyo, Japan, August 27, 2015. Panelist, “Examining How to Effectively … Read entire article »
A Day to Galvanize Action on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Here’s my most recent blog post on a critical topic A Day to Galvanize Action on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, US Department of State Dip Note blog, June 30, 2015 (with my great colleague Blake Peterson. Please read and share. … Read entire article »
Does 1+1=3?: Expanding Our Successes
So enjoyed speaking on this panel on how to ensure that development takes women and girls into account. The title says it all — “Does 1+1=3?: The Integration Hypothesis.” In short, can those working in various development fields create bigger change by focusing on integrating their work, looking for cross-cutting solutions, and listening to the voices of women? Sponsored by fhi360, Women Thrive and Johnson & Johnson on the margins of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, it brought together practitioners, academics and donors to strategize about future strategies. Great crowd and great night. … Read entire article »