Joann Lewinsohn

A pioneering woman among Foreign Service Officers and “Asia Hands” in the U.S. Information Agency, Joann “Jodie’ Lewinsohn passed away at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital, November 9, 2023, after a brief illness.

Jodie was born in Oklahoma City March 26, 1931, the elder daughter of Milton Lewinsohn and H. Maree Myer Lewinsohn. With other family members her father co-owned a successful menswear store, the Hub, and was active as long-term Treasurer in Temple B’nai Israel. Ms. Lewinsohn was pre-deceased by her younger sister, Nancy Lewinsohn.

After graduation from local schools in Oklahoma City, Jodie attended Stanford University, earning the B.A. degree in 1952. She studied with the noted political scientist and Asia expert, Claude Buss, who became a life-long mentor. Having served in the U.S. Foreign Service in the Philippines and China, Professor Buss encouraged her to consider a career in the Foreign Service and recommended that she apply to USIA.

Professor Buss also recommended that Jodie attend SAIS. Her introduction to Asia continued with her participation in a summer seminar sponsored by SAIS in Rangoon and a year in the Philippines as a Fulbright Fellow.

After graduation from SAIS in 1956 Jodie served as Administrative Assistant in the Embassy of Cambodia in Washington, D.C. When Cambodian Prime Minister Norodom Sihanouk toured the U.S. in the fall of 1958, Jodie accompanied him to translate his speeches from French to English which she recalled years later, “… I did with difficulty…”

She joined the United States Information Agency (USIA) in March 1959, as a public affairs trainee.

Her overseas assignments included:

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (6/1959); Jakarta, Indonesia (7/1961); a brief 2nd tour in Phnom Penh truncated by the forced closing of the U.S. Embassy; Manila, Philippines (5/1965); Public Affairs Officer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2/1970); Public Affairs Officer, Stockholm, Sweden (1972); Public Affairs Officer Pretoria (1980); Public Affairs Officer Rome, Italy (1988).

Her Washington assignments included Desk officer, Office of East Asian Affairs; Area Director, Office of East Asian Affairs; Area Director, Office of West European Affairs; Deputy Associate Director, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. She achieved the senior-most Foreign Service rank of Career Minister.

Jodie was highly respected by her colleagues in the foreign affairs community as an individual with great integrity who demanded much from herself and from others. She was an astute analyst of politics and public affairs, a realist about contemporary issues and a fair-minded judge of personal character. Her down-to-earth presence was complemented by a hearty sense of humor, a love of performing arts and good food. She was widely admired for her hospitality and generous care for friends.

In retirement, Jodie briefly ran a small catering service with her sister Nancy and read applications from high school students for a summer travel program of the American Councils for International Education.

Jodie had a passionate love for opera and classical music. She was a member of the Washington Performing Arts Society and she and her sister Nancy regularly attended and had subscriptions to the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Washington Concert Opera and the Metropolitan Opera’s HD performances. She was listening to an opera just before passing away.

She is survived by her long-time housekeeper, Melanie Barroba, many close friends and devoted aides who surrounded and cared for her, especially during her final illness.

In a 2012 interview for SAIS Jodie summarized the career advice she would give younger people. Typically direct and self-effacing, she said: “….as long as you are true to yourself ... be honest, believe in what you’re doing and keep up.”

Friends of Jodie are invited to join the Celebration of the Life of Joann Lewinsohn on Tuesday Jan 9, 2024; 2:30-4:30 pm at the DACOR Bacon House, located at 1801 F St NW, Washington, DC 20006. Guests may register to attend the Celebration of Life by emailing Len Baldyga: [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jodie’s honor to any of her favorite non-profits, including Doctors Without Borders, Orbis International, the Metropolitan Opera Fund for HD Live in Schools Program, Washington National Opera, National Symphony Orchestra, Food & Friends, Washington, D.C., World Central Kitchen, WTCARES, or an organization of your choice.