by contributor Donna Shor
Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
The VIP cocktail party preceding the 35th annual Ambassadors Ball saw diplomats showing their teeth―diplomatically―for the photographers, or struggling to pin on the carnations that marked them as ambassadors.
That was no easy task for the ambassadorial ladies wearing gowns with pencil-thin shoulder straps. Case in point: Nathalie Cely Suárez, The Ambassador of Ecuador, glamorous in a brilliant-studded green, who attended with her husband, Ivan Hernandez.
H.E. Nathalie Cely Suárez and Heather Podesta
For the diplomats enjoying the velvet-roped VIP event before crossing the hall to join the larger pre-dinner general party, it was clearly fun for them to see so many of their colleagues in one space.
That is an aspect of this particular ball which is special: Ambassadors might live here many years and never have a chance to chat-up their fellows at leisure. There are almost 200 chief’s of mission stationed in Washington and for the newly-hatched diplomatic corps members who have recently presented their credentials, it is a great chance to see and be seen widely now that they have joined the “club.”
H.E. The Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Bisogniero
At present the dean of the diplomatic corps (always ascribed to the chief of mission who has presented his credentials earliest) is the Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti Roble Olhaye. Newest to present credentials is Sophia Philippidou, Minister, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Greece.
A long-serving ambassador at the ball with his wife was J. Edward Munsel, the white-bearded former Ambassador of St. Lucia to the U.N., OAS and U.S. How does he spend his time now that he has retired? Writing poetry and creating sculptures and paintings that have been shown at a score of exhibitions, from Surinam to Scotland.
The Ambassadors Ball also gives the diplomats a chance to support a very deserving cause, the National Capital Chapter of the National Multple Sclerosis Society. Over the last thirty-five years it has raised more than $18 million to fund cutting-edge MS research projects as well as providing programs supporting DC area families the immobilizing disease has struck.
Dr. Maha Chalabi and Philanthropist Esther Coopersmith
The evening was co-chaired by Teresa Casey, the wife of Senator Robert Casey who co-chairs the Congressional Senate MS Caucus; Mylene Walden, wife of Representative Greg Walden who serves on the Congressional MS Caucus chaired by Michael Burgess, M.D. of Texas and Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen who also spoke during the program.
Special honorees were Senator Richard Burr, who works to improve the quality of health care and services to U.S. veterans. He addressed the crowd as did honoree Chris Van Hollen, a lead sponsor of the MS and Parkinson’s Disease Registeries Act in the House.
The third honoree, who could not be present, was the Honorable Capricia Penavic Marshall, former Chief of Protocol in the U.S from 2009 to 2013, who served as the lead representative of our country in setting the stage for successful high-level diplomatic engagement with other nations.
Tony Podesta (C)
She couldn’t be there, but for a valid reason: She accompanied Hillary Clinton to Scotland on an unexpected trip. It was planned that she give the toast honoring the Washington diplomatic corps, but instead always-gracious Claudia Fritsche, the black lace-clad Ambassador of Liechenstein, had us hoisting our champagne in
tribute.
The dinner featured braised beef short ribs, which has become an ever-more popular gala entrée over the last few years. It’s “homey” and man-pleasing, meaning husbands
will attend galas even more happily the next year.
H.E. Francois Delattre (C)
Two ambassadors enjoying the event were Turkey’s Ambassador Namik Tan and François Delattre, The Ambassador of France, who remarked on the warmth of the evening, saying how heartening it was to see such a large group drawn from so many parts of the world in support of the struggle against multiple sclerosis.
The Scene:
