Many thanks to Elizabeth for the following press release: New York City, May 25, 2010 – Executive director Carolyn Makinson announced today that award-winning actress Mamie Gummer has agreed to serve as Ambassador for the Women’s Refugee Commission, an organization that works to improve the lives of women, children and adolescent refugees and asylum-seekers. “Mamie has such grace and a real passion for our issues,” said Makinson. “That’s exactly what we are looking for in an ambassador, and we’re thrilled to have her on board.”

Gummer is no stranger to the Women’s Refugee Commission. Some 10 years ago she interned in the organization’s communications department when she was a high school student. But Gummer’s first official role as Ambassador was May 6 when she presented a 2010 Voices of Courage award to Amalia Guzmán Molina, who fled from El Salvador and spent 16 months in detention in the U.S., then founded Families of the Incarcerated. “I can’t wait to go on an overseas delegation,” said Gummer. “Four out of five of the world’s 40-plus million displaced people are women, children and young people and I want to see first-hand what the gaps in service are and what we can do about it.” Read full story »