US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Catherine Russell visits Our University
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- Writer 커뮤니케이션팀
- 보도일자 2013-12-10
The invited ambassador Catherine Russell held the discussion last Thursday (5th of December) at the World Women’s Literature Center of our University’s Main Library. Ambassador Catherine Russell, who visited Korea as part of US Vice-President Joe Biden’s Asian tour, came first to our University to exchange deep conversations with the students about global women’s issues. In time with UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women (November 25th to December 10th), the ambassador shared awareness about eradicating violence and discrimination against women and the advancement of women’s rights and emphasized the need to improve the awareness of the cause.
In order to overcome the discrimination against women both at work and at home, Ambassador Russell urged the students to make the most out of every opportunity and be confident about their demands. “As a woman with two children, I know how hard it can be,” said Russell, “but even when you come across these difficulties, if you have the will and desire to keep going, if you never give up, you will build a meaningful career for yourself.”
Speaking from her own experience, ambassador Russell mentioned that “in the US there is the stereotype that blonde women are not intelligent,” criticizing the stereotypes and discriminatory views that affect women and giving the advice: “If you are certain of what you want and do your best, you can work towards your goals like I did.”
The ambassador also said that “economically, as well, the adequate treatment of women workers has become an important national issue,” emphasizing the expansion of social institutions that support working moms and allow them to continue being economically active and the creation of such systems.
As a student from Kenya pointed out that, in Africa, child marriage and female circumcision are still being practiced despite being forbidden by law, the ambassador replied that, “more important than making those laws is the will to have them enforced,” stating, “there needs to be a process where those communities are persuaded and made to see how much of a heinous practice it is to women.”
From Sookmyung Women’s University, President Hwang Sun-Hye, Vice-President of External Affairs Park Cheon-il, Head of Gender Equality Research Center Choi Han-Na, Head of Sookmyung Institute for Multicultural Studies Jo Sam-Seob and others participated, while on the US side, besides ambassador Russell, Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett and embassy diplomat Michelle Outlaw were also present. Joined by them were Director of the National Women’s Museum Lee Seong-Suk, Vice-President of the Korean Commission for UNICEF Park Dong-Eun, National Assembly member Ryu Ji-Young (Head of Saenuri Party’s Central Women’s Commitee) and Manager of Korea’s Women’s Counselling Call Center for Domestic Violence Ko Mi-Kyung.
The position for ambassador of Women’s Issues in the US was first created under the leadership of former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the US State Department during Obama’s first administration. The ambassador represents the US’s opinion on gender inequality and violence issues faced by women not only in the US but all over the world, being responsible for activities promoting the advancement of women’s rights.
Ambassador Russell has worked as chief secretary and advisor for Vice-President Joe Biden’s wife Jill Biden, focusing on issues regarding the families of soldiers and higher education. While serving the White House, she was in charge of improving the US government’s strategies for handling and preventing sexual violence globally. Russell is also married to former US National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, responsible for the White House’s national security policies. She was appointed ambassador last August by invitation from Melanne Verveer, former chief secretary of then Secretary of State Clinton.