Carol Laise
Encyclopedia
Carol Laise was an American
civil servant, ambassador to Nepal
and the first female Assistant Secretary of State
.
to Elizabeth Frances (née Stevens) and James Frederic Laise. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University
in 1938, majoring in public administration, and then a Master of Arts in political science from George Washington University
in 1940.
Laise worked as a coder for the Civil Service Commission
in 1940, her first government position. She had a position in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration
for a short time before joining the State Department in 1948. She was an adviser from 1956 to 1961, and in 1962 became deputy director of the Bureau of South Asian Affairs.
In 1965, Laise traveled to India and Pakistan as an adviser to Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. After a year in New Delhi
, President Lyndon B. Johnson
named her ambassador to Nepal
in 1966, a position she held until 1973.
On January 3, 1967 she married 72-year-old Ambassador at Large Ellsworth Bunker
in Kathmandu. Later that year he was named ambassador to South Vietnam
and
for nearly the first six years of their marriage they only saw each other monthly, via a special government flight offered by President Johnson as enticement for Bunker to accept the post.
In October 1973, she became Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
, and in 1974 became director general of the Foreign Service, until her retirement in 1977.
She died at home in Dummerston, Vermont
, of cancer in 1991 at the age of 73.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
civil servant, ambassador to Nepal
United States Ambassador to Nepal
The United States Ambassador to Nepal is the official representative of the government of the United States to the government of Nepal.-List of US Ambassadors to Nepal:-See also:*Nepal – United States relations*Foreign relations of Nepal...
and the first female Assistant Secretary of State
United States Assistant Secretary of State
In modern times, Assistant Secretary of State is a title used for many executive positions in the United States State Department. A set of six Assistant Secretaries reporting to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs manage diplomatic missions within their designated geographic regions, plus one...
.
Biography
Born in Winchester, VirginiaWinchester, Virginia
Winchester is an independent city located in the northwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the USA. The city's population was 26,203 according to the 2010 Census...
to Elizabeth Frances (née Stevens) and James Frederic Laise. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in 1938, majoring in public administration, and then a Master of Arts in political science from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1940.
Laise worked as a coder for the Civil Service Commission
Civil Service Commission
-Chairmen:*John Houghton MHK, 2004-date*George Waft MLC, 1996-2004*Clare Christian MLC, 1981-1982*Noel Cringle MLC, 1992-1996*Walter Gilbey, years unknown...
in 1940, her first government position. She had a position in the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration
The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration was an international relief agency, largely dominated by the United States but representing 44 nations. Founded in 1943, it became part of the United Nations in 1945, was especially active in 1945 and 1946, and largely shut down...
for a short time before joining the State Department in 1948. She was an adviser from 1956 to 1961, and in 1962 became deputy director of the Bureau of South Asian Affairs.
In 1965, Laise traveled to India and Pakistan as an adviser to Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. After a year in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
, President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
named her ambassador to Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
in 1966, a position she held until 1973.
On January 3, 1967 she married 72-year-old Ambassador at Large Ellsworth Bunker
Ellsworth Bunker
Ellsworth F. Bunker was an American businessman and diplomat...
in Kathmandu. Later that year he was named ambassador to South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
and
for nearly the first six years of their marriage they only saw each other monthly, via a special government flight offered by President Johnson as enticement for Bunker to accept the post.
In October 1973, she became Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Public Affairs within the United States Department of State. Typically, the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs is also the official spokesperson of the State Department...
, and in 1974 became director general of the Foreign Service, until her retirement in 1977.
She died at home in Dummerston, Vermont
Dummerston, Vermont
Dummerston is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,915 at the 2000 census. Dummerston is home to the longest covered bridge still in use inside the state borders of Vermont.-History:...
, of cancer in 1991 at the age of 73.