Background
Allen was born in Washington, District of Columbia
Allen was born in Washington, District of Columbia
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
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).
Member of service sorority Alpha Delta Epsilon (Pella, Iowa).
