Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Gather in the Spirit of Diplomacy: A Prelude to the 55th Annual Meridian Ball

In celebration of the upcoming 55^th Annual Meridian Ball, this year’s Congressional Co-Chairs, Mrs. Chrissy Hagerty and Mrs. Simone Meeks, hosted a luncheon for congressional and ambassadorial spouses on September 26 at Meridian House. The luncheon allowed for congressional spouses from both sides of the aisle, and ambassadorial spouses from 13 countries, to come together in the spirit of diplomatic and bipartisan camaraderie.

Mrs. Gwen Holliday commenced the event by welcoming more than 45 guests to Meridian’s historic campus. Meridian Executive Vice President, Mrs. Natalie Jones, then offered insights into Meridian’s longstanding relationship with congressional and ambassadorial spouses and highlighted their contributions to Meridian’s mission. Once seated, Meridian Ball Congressional Co-Chairs, Mrs. Chrissy Hagerty and Mrs. Simone Meeks addressed guests and shared their deep appreciation for the vital role that spouses play in fostering international goodwill and bipartisan cooperation.

The luncheon served as a fitting prelude to the Meridian Ball, reminding all in attendance that diplomacy and bipartisanship are values worth celebrating and cherishing.

Susan Klein in conversation with Meridian Ball Co-Chair Natalia Luis-Monteiro (M Luis Construction) and Susan Blumenthal during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Meridian Ball Congressional Co-Chair Simone-Marie Meeks greets Tracy Bernstein (Meridian International Center) during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Amal Al Haddabi (Embassy of Oman) and Mouna Haneche (Embassy of Algeria) in conversation with Dinara Ashikbayeva (Embassy of Kazakhstan) during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Wendy Murphy in conversation with Sarah Eastright during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Didi Cutler, Natalie Jones (Meridian International Center), Gwen Holliday (Optum), Haflin Nazri Aziz (Embassy of Malaysia) and Heike Michaelis (Embassy of Germany) pose for a photo during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Laina Marshall in conversation with Secretary Elaine Chao, Meridian Ball Congressional Co-Chair Chrissy Hagerty and Amy Kate Budd during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Câmia Van-Dúnem (Embassy of Angola) and Gladys Sumbo (Embassy of Angola) during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Meridian hosted its annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon in honor of the 55th Meridian Ball on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Amy Kate Budd and Dinara Ashikbayeva (Embassy of Kazakhstan) in conversation with Liis Prikk (Embassy of Estonia) during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Thérèse Rein (Embassy of Australia) in conversation with Meridian Ball Co-Chair Cidalia Luis-Akbar (M Luis Construction) during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023 at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos.

Meridian Ball Congressional Co-Chairs Chrissy Hagerty and Simone-Marie Meeks in conversation with Gwen Holliday during Meridian’s annual Congressional and Ambassadorial Spouses Luncheon on September 26, 2023. Photo by Jess Latos.