Background

Allen was born in Washington, District of Columbia

Education

She studied abroad for a year in 1977, earning a Certificate in French Civilization from the Sorbonne in Paris. From 1987–1989 she completed an Master of Arts

Career

She is the former United States. Ambassador to Niger. And raised in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in French Civilization and Linguistics at Central College in Pella, Iowa in 1978. in Human Resources Management from George Washington University while handling her regular duties at the Department of State.

She speaks French and Mandarin Chinese.

Allen was commissioned into the United States. diplomatic service in January 1980. On October 26, 2005, President George West. Bush nominated her to serve as United States. Ambassador to the Republic of Niger.

She was confirmed by the United States. Senate on February 16, 2006, and sworn in as ambassador on March 28, 2006. Foreign assignments

General Services Officer/Vice Consul at the United States. Embassy in Bujumbura, Burundi (1980–1982)

Temporary duty assignment as Consul at the United States. Consulate in Fukuoka, Japan (1984)

Consul at the United States. Embassy, Manila, Philippines (1982–1984)

Consular Section Chief at the United States. Consulate General in Guangzhou, China (1991–1994)

Chief of the Montreal Consular Section (2000–2002)

Consul General at the United States. Consulate General in Montreal (2002–2005)

Domestic assignments

Desk officer in the Africa Bureau’s Regional Affairs Office (1985–1987)

Visa officer in the Visa Office Coordination Division (1985–1989)

Studied Mandarin Chinese at National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) (1989) and in Taipei, Taiwan (1990)

Deputy Director of Consular Training at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) (1994–1996)

Legislative Management Officer (1996–1998)

Director of the Visa Office Coordination Division (1998–2000)

Lifetime membership in the United States. Tennis Association

Big Sisters of the Washington, District of Columbia Metropolitan area volunteer

Usher Board Chairman at the Carmody Hills Baptist Church in Seat Pleasant, Maryland

President of the Central College African-American Student Organization (Pella, Iowa).

Achievements

• Superior Honor Award for leadership as Consul General in Montreal Meritorious Honor Award for outstanding managerial and professional skills in Guangzhou, China Superior Honor Award for outstanding leadership and performance as Visa Coordination Division Director.

Membership

Member of service sorority Alpha Delta Epsilon (Pella, Iowa).