Struggle From Slavery Pressed by Women’s Ambassador

During almost four years as the first U.S. ambassador for global women’s issues, Melanne Verveer pressed governments around the world on matters ranging from ending child marriages to integrating women into peace efforts.

Yet, that diplomatic role hardly prepared her for some personal encounters along the way, such as the day in Nepal when she was taken to meet a woman who went to Saudi Arabia as a housekeeper and was enslaved and beaten by her employer. She had leapt from a balcony in a desperate escape from her tormentor.