U.S. Diplomat Anne Smedinghoff -- Sorority Member
 

I'm sure many have seen today's news reports about U.S. Diplomat, 25-year-old Anne Smedinghoff, losing her life in a car bomb blast in Afghanistan. This incredible young woman was a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta at John Hopkins University.

http://www.fortwayne.com/apps/pbcs.d...0454/-1/NEWS05

She was a colleague of mine here at the State Department. Here's a couple more things on her and the challenges of being a diplomat in a war zone:

http://emailfromtheembassy.blogspot....other-one.html

http://blogs.suntimes.com/news/2013/...edinghoff.html

Greekdee, thank you so much for the information. I didn't realize that Anne Smedinghoff was a Theta. I reposted your information in the Theta forum. Nothing I write seems to convey how I feel about her loss. From reading about her life, she seems to have been quite a remarkable young woman, one that I would have been proud to know.

My husband has spent time at the US Embassy in Kabul, along with some other scary places in the world. He has a deep respect for all the Americans who work at the embassies and consulates.They work under very trying conditions. He said that even with all the safeguards, escorts, and military/contractor personnel, it is still a dangerous job. My sympathies and prayers for those who loved her. Sigh.

I just posted this on my Facebook page:
 

For my Theta friends: My doctor's office is in River Forest, IL, the late Anne Smedinghoff's hometown. There are white ribbons tied to every tree visible throughout the town, courtesy in a large part to Concordia University's athletes. Well, except one - it had a gold ribbon tied around it, with a black kite on the front! I tried to get a picture, but couldn't get out of traffic. Thought you all would want to know.

Thank you honey, for sharing this and including us in some small way. Bless you.

:) My heart still hurts for her and her family, but this is very cool.

Thanks for posting this. I'm from River Forest, and my grandmother and all her sisters were Thetas, so this is especially touching. My parents were telling me about all the ribbons. Although I didn't know her, it is clear that we lost a wonderful young lady. I am honored to be from her hometown.