US Diplomat. She graduated from American University and received a master's degree from George Washington University. In 1940 she began a career in government with the US Civil Service Commission, transferring to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in 1946 and the State Department in 1948. In 1962 she became Deputy Director of the Office of South Asian Affairs, with responsibility for diplomatic relations in Afghanistan, Ceylon, Nepal, India and Pakistan. She was appointed US Ambassador to Nepal in 1966, the first female career State Department employee to attain this distinction. She served until she was named Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in 1973, the first woman in the State Department to achieve Assistant Secretary rank. In 1967 she married Ellsworth Bunker, then serving as Ambassador to South Vietnam, the first marriage between two serving US ambassadors. In 1974 she became Director General of the US Foreign Service, the highest nonpolitical position in the State Department, where she remained until her 1977 retirement.
US Diplomat. She graduated from American University and received a master's degree from George Washington University. In 1940 she began a career in government with the US Civil Service Commission, transferring to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in 1946 and the State Department in 1948. In 1962 she became Deputy Director of the Office of South Asian Affairs, with responsibility for diplomatic relations in Afghanistan, Ceylon, Nepal, India and Pakistan. She was appointed US Ambassador to Nepal in 1966, the first female career State Department employee to attain this distinction. She served until she was named Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs in 1973, the first woman in the State Department to achieve Assistant Secretary rank. In 1967 she married Ellsworth Bunker, then serving as Ambassador to South Vietnam, the first marriage between two serving US ambassadors. In 1974 she became Director General of the US Foreign Service, the highest nonpolitical position in the State Department, where she remained until her 1977 retirement.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Bunker or Laise memorials in:
Advertisement
