Kimberly A. Bassett, Secretary of State for Washington DC, received the Woman of the Year award from the Washington Educational and Cultural Attaché Association (WECAA) during WECAA’s inaugural meeting of 2024 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC.
The award recognizes Bassett’s exceptional service in upholding WECAA’s mission of building connections between people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. WECAA’s Co-Leaders Joan Bramer from the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and Fatima Aboulfaraj representing the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco signed the award plaque, commemorating Bassett’s achievement and contributions.
The plaque bears the inscription: “Woman of the Year in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, presented to Kimberly A. Bassett, Secretary of State, Washington DC, for exemplary practice of our WECAA Mission, connecting people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, and promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation among nations.”
Appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in December 2018, Ms. Bassett serves as the Secretary of the District of Columbia, overseeing vital functions such as managing ceremonial services, government document publishing, international and diplomatic activities, and public records maintenance.
Ms. Bassett’s impactful leadership extends beyond her current role. She previously served as the Director of the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives (MOWPI) during Mayor Bowser’s first term. In this capacity, she advocated tirelessly for women’s rights and collaborated with local and national organizations to enhance program participation among District residents. Notably, Ms. Bassett headed the Work Smart Salary Negotiation Program in partnership with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), garnering acclaim for its efforts to address the gender pay gap.
Before her governmental roles, Ms. Bassett held significant positions in organizations such as The Wireless Foundation, Verizon Washington DC, DC Vote, and The Stephen Case Foundation. Her work spanned philanthropic initiatives, community engagement, educational advocacy, and digital inclusion efforts, showcasing her multifaceted contributions to societal progress.
Ms. Bassett’s commitment to the community extends to her involvement on various boards, including the Step Afrika! Dance Company, the North Carolina Central University College of Arts and Sciences, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Corporate Advisory Council. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and The Links Inc., actively contributing to their missions.
