Donald McHenry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald McHenry
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| 15th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office September 23, 1979 – January 20, 1981 |
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| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Andrew Young |
| Succeeded by | Jeane Kirkpatrick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 13, 1936 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Illinois State University (BS) Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (MS) Georgetown University |
Donald McHenry, born on October 13, 1936, is a former American diplomat. He worked for the United States government. From September 1979 to January 1981, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. This means he was the main representative for the U.S. at the UN.
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Early Life and Education
Donald McHenry was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up nearby in East St. Louis, Illinois. He went to Illinois State University and earned a degree in 1957. Later, he got a master's degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1959. He also studied at Georgetown University.
Career in Diplomacy
McHenry spent most of his career working in foreign diplomacy. This means he helped manage relationships between the United States and other countries. He started working for the United States Department of State in 1963. He worked there for eight years.
From 1971 to 1976, he worked for different research groups. These groups study important topics like how countries interact. McHenry wrote about foreign policy during this time.
Working with the United Nations
In 1976, McHenry helped President Jimmy Carter's team at the State Department. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. In March 1977, he became the U.S. Deputy Representative. This role meant he helped represent the U.S. at the United Nations Security Council.
The Airplane Incident
In August 1979, McHenry was a key negotiator for the United States. This happened during an unusual event at an airport. A Soviet airplane was stopped from taking off. A Russian dancer, Lyudmila Vlasova, was on board. Her husband, Alexander Godunov, had recently decided to stay in the U.S. He believed his wife was being forced to return to the Soviet Union.
U.S. officials wanted to speak with Ms. Vlasova alone. They wanted to make sure she was returning voluntarily. Soviet officials first said no to this request. Eventually, they allowed her to speak with U.S. representatives. She convinced them that she was choosing to go back. The plane then took off with her on it.
Becoming Ambassador
This incident brought attention to McHenry at an important time. Earlier that year, the previous U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Andrew Young, had resigned. In September 1979, President Jimmy Carter chose Donald McHenry for the job. McHenry became the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the U.N.
Later Career and Contributions
After his time as Ambassador, McHenry continued to be active. In 1986, he received an honorary degree from Bates College. He has also served on the boards of several large companies. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Today, he is a Professor of Diplomacy and International Affairs at Georgetown University. He has also been a director for The Coca-Cola Company since 1981. He was also a director for AT&T Corporation and International Paper.
McHenry is an Advisory Board member for the Partnership for a Secure America. This group works to bring people together on national security and foreign policy issues.
Global Leadership and Public Statements
Donald McHenry is also a member of the Global Leadership Foundation. This organization helps support good leadership around the world. They work to prevent conflicts and promote good governance. They do this by sharing the experiences of former leaders with current leaders.
In 2004, McHenry was one of 27 retired diplomats and military leaders. They publicly stated that the administration of President George W. Bush did not fully understand global issues. On June 16, 2004, the Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change group spoke out against the Iraq War.
Awards and Honors
- McHenry was honored by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. He received the Order of Lincoln on June 19, 2021. This is the highest honor given by the Governor of Illinois.
See also
In Spanish: Donald McHenry para niños
