Shaheen Statement on Trump’s Nomination of Kelley Eckels Currie to Serve as Ambassador-At-Large for Global Women’s Issues

**Protecting and empowering the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues position has long been a top priority for Senator Shaheen.** 

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the only woman on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to the President’s announcement that he intends to nominate Kelley Eckels Currie to serve as the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. Currie currently serves as the Representative of the United States on the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. 

Protecting and empowering the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues position has long been a top priority for Senator Shaheen. Shaheen has fought to shield the position from elimination and has worked to ensure it maintains its power and authority to impact policy by maintaining the chain of command to report directly to the Secretary of State. 

“I’m pleased the President is finally filling this critical position, which plays an important role in ensuring gender issues remain a top U.S. foreign policy priority,” said Shaheen. “I’ll be reviewing Ambassador Currie’s background and look forward to meeting with her to discuss the urgent issues impacting fifty percent of our global population, including access to comprehensive health care services, representation in leadership and decision-making, boosting economic empowerment, ending violence against women and ensuring there is a firm commitment to break down barriers impacting girls’ access to education.” 

Senator Shaheen has been a fierce advocate for women and girls in the United States and around the globe. Shaheen has prioritized issues to raise women up, such as opposing efforts to roll back women’s reproductive rights, fighting for the rights of sexual assault survivors, advocating on behalf of family planning and women’s global health, spearheading efforts to end violence against women, securing women leadership roles in conflict resolution and peace negotiations and authoring legislation to address barriers that girls around the world face in accessing education. 

Just last night, Senator Shaheen’s bipartisan resolution with Senator Collins (R-ME) recognizing March 8, 2019 as International Women’s Day unanimously passed the Senate. The resolution celebrates the achievements of women and girls around the globe, and underscores the significant barriers that still stand in the way of women’s full equality and empowerment.