Cynthia Shepard Perry

Cynthia Shepard Perry
A smiling Black woman with sideswept bangs, wearing pearls and pearl earrings
10th United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone
In office
November 20, 1986 – August 30, 1989
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byArthur Winston Lewis
Succeeded byJohnny Young
11th United States Ambassador to Burundi
In office
February 12, 1990 – February 28, 1993
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byJames Daniel Phillips
Succeeded byBob Krueger
Personal details
Born
Cynthia Helena Norton

(1928-11-11)November 11, 1928
Burnett, Indiana, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 2024(2024-06-13) (aged 95)
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
James Otto Shepard
(m. 1946; div. 1971)

James Olden Perry
(m. 1971; died 2006)
ChildrenDonna, Jim, Milo, Paula, Mark, James
Parents
  • George Norton (father)
  • Flossi Phillipa (mother)
EducationEd.D. University of Mass.
Alma materB.A. Indiana State University
OccupationDiplomat, Professor, Banker
Known forExpertise in Africa and education

Cynthia Helena Shepard Perry (née Norton; November 11, 1928 – June 13, 2024) was an American educator and diplomat. She served as U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Burundi and as American Executive Director of the African Development Bank.[1] Throughout her career Perry promoted racial and gender equality, international cooperation, and African economic development.[2]

  1. ^ "Ambassador Cynthia Shepard Perry Returns to CIE | Center for International Education". www.umass.edu. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
  2. ^ Collins, Minnie A. (2015-01-25). "Cynthia Shepard Perry (1928- ) •". Retrieved 2020-02-23.