Inspiring Women Magazine May 2023

technology as necessary, and all the while being
mindful of good governance, avoiding
information overload and respecting data
privacy. The most satisfying part of working
with FAWCO is the exceptionally high quality
of our volunteers, who are well educated,
engaged with their local and global communities
and passionate about their FAWCO and club
work. The presidency is a full time commitment
at times, but I have always felt that I have gotten
more out of it than I put in — and I have had the
privilege of meeting hundreds of amazing
people along the way. The work can be intense,
and, although I will be happy to pass the baton
to Ann Marie, I will miss all of the wonderful
people I have been in constant contact with
for the past four years. I will think of my four
years as the Pandemic Presidency, dealing with
canceled conferences, virtual engagement and
new thinking on contracts and communications,
but as FAWCO moves forward we are poised
once again to set our sights on larger goals.
“Goodbyes and New Beginnings”
Of all the people and situations you have said
goodbye to in your life, tell us about two that
you miss the most. Why is that?
I try not to think in terms of goodbyes as much
as au revoirs. The worst goodbyes of my life
were during those years before my husband
and I decided we would get married. We spent
more than three years writing actual letters and
making expensive phone calls. When we did get
together in Amsterdam or Oklahoma, when I
was on vacation or he was on leave from
the navy, the farewells at the airport were
devastating because we literally did not know
if we would see each other again. Long-distance
relationships are brutal and not for the faint of
heart. But we overcame our fears and doubts.
For the 28+ years I have been abroad I have
maintained relationships with those who are
important in my life; distance hasn’t broken
our connections.
Of all the “new beginnings” in your life,
tell us about two that you really
remember/that turned out to be
unexpectedly important.
New beginnings are a hallmark of our
lives to date. Having already made four
international moves, when we moved back
to the Netherlands in 2011, my husband
promised that our kids would be able to
complete their high school education here,
and they have. One of the by-products of an
international life, though, is that your
children have learned to think internationally.
My oldest went to the UK for university, with
summer internships in France, Austria and
Germany, and now is in Germany for her
PhD. My son ended up getting recruited to
play pro rugby in France and will complete
his bachelor's there this year on the side.
Another daughter is now on a semester
abroad in Chile, while my youngest is
thinking of law school in the US. Where will
they be — where will we be? Who knows
what is ahead of us? I have learned to live
life as it comes, without a net.
Emily and her mom on the FAWCO Foundation
Cruise (left, page 92)
Emily with Giulia and Silke (above)
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