Ambassador Dawkins served as U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, a total of seven countries simultaneously. Prior to her Ambassadorial tour, she concentrated her efforts in supporting the arts and community involvement. She has served on numerous boards, including the Washington National Opera, the Blair House, and as Trustee for the Kennedy Center. She continues her involvement with these and other boards, and is an active emeritus trustee of the Smithsonian, co-chair of the Kennedy Center International Committee, and former member of the Executive Committee of the Meridian International Center. She is also a member of the Council of American Ambassadors. Her involvements include the American Red Cross, Historic Mount Vernon, Trust for the National Mall, and The Prince of Wales Foundation. She serves on the President’s Council of the Bush Library in Dallas, Texas, and she is a founding member of the United States Diplomacy Center at the U. S. State Department. She is a graduate of University of Texas – Austin, with a Bachelor of Science degree. Ambassador Mary Dawkins is married to General Pete Dawkins. She has one son and one granddaughter, and divides her time between New York City; La Jolla, CA; Vail, CO; and Palm Beach, FL.