Retired U.S. Ambassador Sue K. Brown

Retired U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro Sue Kathrine Brown died May 14 at her home in Arlington, Virginia, with her family by her side. Ambassador Brown was born in Lubbock, TX, on August 19, 1948, where she and her older sisters, Mary Bolton and Martha Blue, were raised by their mother, Mabell Bolton (née Johnson). As a child in the segregated South, she overcame early hardships to excel personally and professionally as an esteemed public servant, eventually joining an elite group of African American women ambassadors. She joined the diplomatic service in 1980 and rose through the ranks to enjoy a decades-long career as a United States Foreign Service Officer of the Department of State, serving in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Her overseas postings include the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Niger, Eritrea, Indonesia, France, and Montenegro. She served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Eritrea (2004-2006) and Ghana (2006-2009) and was Office Director for Southern African Affairs in the Bureau of African Affairs (2009-2011). Ambassador Brown coordinated many U.S. State Department and congressional delegations, including President George W. Bush's 2008 visit to Ghana and President Barack Obama's 2009 visit to the continent, his first visit to the continent as president. She also coordinated Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2009 visit to China. Ambassador Brown was appointed to the Montenegro post by President Barack Obama in 2011 and served until her retirement in 2015. As the second U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, her appointment was particularly notable as she was only the second African American ambassador to serve in the region since 1977. She was also the first African American to serve as Ambassador to Montenegro and the first African American woman to serve in Southeastern Europe. Ambassador Brown was pivotal in assisting Montenegro's government with rule-of-law reforms and integration into the European Union. She laid the groundwork for Montenegro’s accession to NATO. She was a distinguished public servant recognized for her outstanding leadership, diplomacy, and counsel. She led significant aid relief efforts in response to natural disasters in Indonesia and Montenegro and public service campaigns to avert sex trafficking of young girls in Ghana. During her career, she received the Meritorious Honor Award and the Superior Honor Award for achievements at posts and the Montenegrin Flag Medal of Second Order from the government of Montenegro. Ambassador Brown was also recognized for her commitment to supporting the well-being of staff and families at her posts. In retirement, she was dedicated to mentoring the next generation of Foreign Service Officers. She firmly believed in diplomacy and civil society's essential roles in bringing about positive change and that diverse representation in public diplomacy needed to become the norm. While Ambassador Brown had many professional successes, she regarded her children and family as her most significant personal accomplishments. She is survived by her children Anthony, Tisha, Kevin, Ken, and Justin; eight grandchildren, her nieces Sheila and Paulette; her nephew Rex; great-grandnieces and great-nephews; extended family; and many life-long friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, sisters, and nephew, Terry Bolton.

Retired U.S. Ambassador Sue K. Brown

August 19, 1948 - May 14, 2024

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