Before her most recent appointment, Bridgewater served as
U.S. ambassador to Benin from October 2000 until December 2002. From 1999 until
2000, she was a member and president of the 42nd Senior Seminar, the U.S. Department
of State's most prestigious professional development program.
Bridgewater is the longest-serving U.S. diplomat
in South Africa and the first African-American woman to be appointed consul
general in Durban, South Africa. Her service has included stints in Brussels,
Belgium; Kingston, Jamaica; Nassau, The Bahamas; and Cotonou, Benin.
Bridgewater entered the U.S. Foreign Service
in 1980 after a teaching career that included Morgan State University and
Bowie State University in Maryland; and Voorhees College in South Carolina.
The Fredericksburg native earned a bachelor's
degree in political science from VSU in 1968 and a master's degree in political
science from the University of Cincinnati. In addition, she was awarded an
honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from VSU in 1997.
Recognized for her innovative approach to promoting
U.S. business interests in Benin specifically and Africa overall, Bridgewater
was selected as the recipient of the 2002 Charles E. Cobb, Jr. Award for Initiative
and Success in Trade Development.
Bridgewater says, "I've always strived
for excellence, and encourage everyone, particularly young people, to give
their best effort and never settle for mediocrity."
