Ambassador Cynthia Shepard Perry, who served as the Honorary Consul of Rwanda in Houston, Texas, deeply loved Rwanda and greatly admired the leadership of President Paul Kagame, Mathilde Mukantabana, the Ambassador of Rwanda to the US said in a tribute.
Mukantabana said this on Saturday, June 29, during a memorial service for Perry, who passed away on June 13 at the age of 95.
Her life was celebrated on Saturday in Indianapolis, Indiana. The City of Houston declared June 29 a day of remembrance in her honor, recognizing her contributions to diplomatic relations between Houston and African countries.
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During the memorial service, Ambassador Mukantabana paid tribute to Perry’s family on behalf of Rwanda, encouraging them to continue their relationship with Rwanda.
"Honored to celebrate the life of Ambassador Cynthia Shepard Perry, a cherished civil servant of Rwanda in Houston, Texas since 2008. A trailblazer for women in diplomacy, she leaves an unmatched legacy that will continue to inspire generations of women and others who follow in her footsteps. She loved Rwanda and considered it her second home. We are grateful for her relentless efforts to promote enduring friendships and partnerships between the people of Rwanda and the USA,” Mukantabana said.
Perry was well-versed in African issues and was appointed Honorary Consul of Rwanda by President Kagame, with confirmation by the United States Department of State.
In 2015, she was honored for her dedicated service to Rwanda and the African continent.
Perry became the first Consul General of the Republic of Rwanda in Houston in 2008 and served in this role until her passing. She frequently visited Rwanda with her family, considering it her second home.
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Her close friend and colleague, Ambassador Gerald Zirimwabagabo, recalled their friendship and her significant role in the election of Dr. Donald Kaberuka as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Throughout her career, Ambassador Perry served as the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Burundi and worked with USAID and the AfDB. Her first assignment in Africa was at the University of Nairobi in 1968 through Operation Crossroads Africa. She trained Peace Corps volunteers and led educational delegations across several African countries.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed her as Chief of the Education and Human Resources Division in the Africa Bureau of the United States Agency for International Development. She was later appointed by Reagan as the US Ambassador to Sierra Leone (1986–1989) and by President George H.W. Bush as the US Ambassador to Burundi (1990–1993).
Ambassador Perry moved fluidly between academia, consulting, and diplomacy. Her diplomatic finesse helped address critical issues, strengthen bilateral relations, and support the advancement of African nations.
Indiana State University, where she was honored with a street sign on campus, also named a scholarship after her. She leaves behind a family, including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.