Harriet Elam Named New U.S. Ambassador To Senegal By Clinton

Jet, July 19, 1999

One of to day's most qualified Black American female diplomats, Ms. Harriet Elam, was assigned as ambassador to Senegal by President Clinton.

A native of Boston and a current resident of Arlington, VA, Elam is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. Currently she is counselor of the U.S. Information Agency.

Her foreign assignments in public affairs include Belgium, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Earlier stints were served at the UN, the president's appointments office at the White House and career counselor for USIA Foreign Personnel.

Other overseas assignments were France, Senegal, Mali, the Ivory Coast and Turkey. The much-decorated diplomat holds a bachelor's degree in International Business from Simmons College and a master's in Public Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts College. She speaks French, Greek and Turkish.

She is married. A brother, Harry, is a judge in Boston.