Tribute to Rosemary Straley
We are saddened to share the passing of Rosemary Straley, a visionary leader, advisor and inspiration to many, and dear supporter of Women’s Empowerment International. Rosemary’s life was defined by service, a passion for education and politics, and a deep commitment to lift up women into leadership roles, especially elected offices.
Rosemary’s accomplishments and purpose-driven life can hardly be summarized in a few paragraphs. This just begins to skim the surface of her incredible work and contributions.
Rosemary proudly earned degrees from Stanford and Harvard, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and became one of the first women to be a Peace Corps Country Director in Cameroon. Her career in international development and education planning took her to over 150 countries and included projects with UNESCO, World Bank, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, and the U.S. Trade & Development Program.
Throughout her education and career, Rosemary often found herself as one of the first women to enter a program or hold a leadership role, and she became committed to lifting up women and opening opportunities for them to lead. She has led and supported well over 20 organizations in San Diego and nationwide, including co-founding a local organization, Run Women Run, that played a role in electing over 120 women to public office at every level of government. She led a local working group for the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to pass a countywide ordinance. She also served as a volunteer National Coordinator of the Hillary Rodham Clinton Support Network.
Rosemary was honored with WE’s first Woman of Empowerment award in 2018 for her dedication to achieving equity for girls and women and advancing women’s leadership.
Rosemary attributed her commitment to philanthropy and service to her parents, who also taught the power each person holds to inspire others to give. She also held a quote from President John F. Kennedy, who founded the Peace Corps, close to her heart: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” She had this quote on a magnet on her refrigerator and was quoted as saying, “That’s what guides me every day.”
Rosemary, you will be deeply missed, but we carry on your legacy.
If you would like to share thoughts or stories of Rosemary, please email Sarah Adams, WE Executive Director, at SarahAdams@womenempowerment.org.