Joseph Monroe Segars facts for kids
Joseph Monroe Segars was an important American diplomat. He was born in Hartsville, South Carolina in 1938 and passed away in Lakewood Ranch, Florida in 2014. He worked for the U.S. government in other countries for many years. From 1992 to 1996, he was the U.S. Ambassador to Cape Verde, a country in Africa.
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Joseph Segars' Early Life and Education
Joseph Segars had an interesting childhood. His parents moved to Philadelphia to find jobs. So, his aunt and uncle, Walter and Francis Hines, raised him.
He finished Butler High School in 1956. After that, he moved to Philadelphia to join his family. He worked for a while before going to college.
In 1961, Joseph Segars graduated from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. He earned a degree in Education. After college, he became a teacher. He taught sixth grade in Gary, Indiana until 1967. Then, he moved back to Philadelphia and continued teaching sixth grade there.
Joining the U.S. Foreign Service
In 1970, Joseph Segars joined the U.S. Foreign Service. This is a group of people who work for the U.S. government in other countries. Their job is to help Americans abroad and represent the United States.
He made history as the first African American to be assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, Austria. He worked there from 1970 until 1973.
Serving as a Consul General
Joseph Segars served as a Consul General several times. A Consul General is a diplomat who helps U.S. citizens in a foreign country. They also promote trade and cultural ties.
First Assignment in South Africa
In 1976, he became the Consul General in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was one of the first African Americans to work in South Africa. When he arrived, a big student protest called the Soweto Uprising was happening. Students were protesting against a law about language in schools.
Other Consul General Roles
From 1978 to 1980, he was the Consul General in Kingston, Jamaica. Later, in 1983, Segars was appointed Consul General again. This time, he served in Lagos, Nigeria until 1986.
