Draft:Nancy Ostrander
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Nancy Ostrander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| US Ambassador to Suriname | |
| In office May 25, 1978 – July 8, 1980 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | J. Owen Zurhellen, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | John J. Crowley, Jr. |
Nancy Ostrander (1925 – February 18, 2024) was an American diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Suriname during the Surinamese Coup in 1980.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Ostrander was born in 1925 and raised on a farm near Indianapolis by a single mother after her father passed away when she was just six months old.[2] She went on to graduate from Butler University in 1947, with a bachelor's degree in Spanish.[3]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]The summer after graduating, Ostrander traveled to Cuba with her friends to visit an uncle who lived there.[2] While in Cuba, Ostrander joined the US Foreign Service as a clerk at the consulate at Santiago de Cuba. She held clerical and personnel positions in Havana, The Hague, Antwerp, Mexico City, and Kingston from 1947 to 1972.[4]
She attended the National War College in 1973 to 1974 and climbed the ranks of the Foreign Service. Ultimately, Nancy was appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Republic of Suriname in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter.[5]
Suriname
[edit]After taking over the role from J. Owen Zurhellen, Jr., Ostrander got to work reporting on the complicated political situation in Suriname.[2] By the time she arrived, the country had just gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1975 and was experiencing a period of social unrest, economic depression, and widespread corruption within the Surinamese government.[6] At the time, the country was led by Prime Minister Henck Arron.
The defining moments of Ostrander’s time as ambassador to Suriname occurred in the wake of the 1980 coup against Arron’s government. In January, mere months before an election campaign, sergeants in the Dutch-created Surinamese military organized a strike to force the government into approving their labor union. However, their demands were largely ignored.[2] By February, the sergeants had staged a violent coup against the government that resulted in the deaths of around 6-8 people.[7]
During the coup, Ostrander recalled hearing gunshots and ammunition in the streets but did not believe she was in significant danger.[2] However, during this time, three aircrafts (carrying approximately 65 soldiers) from the U.S. Air Force were refueling in Suriname. Despite the chaotic situation, Ostrander was able to successfully negotiate for these soldiers and the 3 aircrafts to safely use the airports and leave Suriname.[2]
In the aftermath of the coup, Ostrander considered that Suriname was beginning to pull away from the Netherlands and could possibly turn its allegiance towards the U.S. To deepen the connection between the two countries, Ostrander hoped to offer Surinamese students scholarships to attend American universities through the United States Information Agency (USIA). However, ultimately, sshe was unable to secure funding from the USIA.[2]
Following the coup, Hendrick Chin A Sen was appointed Prime Minister of Suriname and quietly sought to restore democracy within the country. Chin A Sen reportedly felt pessimistic and ready to resign his position.[7] Ostrander met with him to informed him that he had the backing of the United States government. This support convinced Chin A Sen not to resign and continue stabilizing the situation until he was removed from office less than two years later.
Post-Suriname and retirement
[edit]Nancy Ostrander left Surinam in July 1980 and became Diplomat-in-Residence for the Midwest, sitting at Indiana University.[8][9] She then served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Populations Affairs until her retirement in 1989.[3] She was succeeded in Suriname as Ambassador by John J. Crowley Jr. (1928–1995) who investigated the connections between Surinamese leadership and Havana.[2]
Ostrander was also a member of the Board of Directors of Family Health International and participated in the Women’s Rotary Club of Indianapolis.[3][when?]
Honours and awards
[edit]As a result of her work in various stations, Ostrander was awarded three Superior Honor Awards by the US Department of State, the first in 1970.[8] One award was given for her contributions to the Department’s task force investigating the TWA Flight 847 hijacking.[3]
Ostrander also received Butler University’s Alumni Achievement Award and the Order of the Palm award from the Surinamese government.[citation needed][when?]
Death
[edit]Ostrander died at her Indianapolis home in February 2024; she was 98.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nancy Ostrander (1925–)". Office of the Historian.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Morin, Ann Miller (May 14, 1986). Interview with Nancy Ostrander. Library of Congress.
- ^ a b c d e "Obituaries in Indianapolis, IN | The Indianapolis Star". indystar.com. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Nancy Ostrander Tapped as Envoy". State Department Newsletter. 201: 14. May 1978 – via Hathitrust.
- ^ "United States Ambassador to Surinam Nomination of Nancy Ostrander". The American Presidency Project | UC Santa Barbara. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Kagie, Rudie (2021-02-25). "Een streep door Operation Guiminish - Sneak Peek". Parbode (in Dutch). Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ a b Rickert, Jonathan (August 2021). "Diplomatic Intervention Made a Difference in Suriname". American Diplomacy. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ a b "New 'N' More". Indiana University Green Sheet. 15 (5): 4. February 3, 1985 – via Indiana University.
- ^ "Indiana – Contributions by Hoosiers in the Foreign Service". Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training. Retrieved 2024-11-21.