About
About SOSA
What is SOSA?
The Secretary of State Award for Outstanding Volunteerism Abroad recognizes the extraordinary volunteer contributions of Foreign Service employees and family members stationed at U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide. Established in 1990 and administered by AAFSW, SOSA honors individuals whose service has created lasting, community-centered impact far beyond the boundaries of their official roles.
About AAFSW
The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW) is an accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit association supporting U.S. Foreign Affairs employees and their families. AAFSW administers the SOSA program and provides advocacy, scholarships, community programs, and global support networks for the Foreign Service community.
35 Years of Service
A brief timeline of the award's institutional history.
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1990
SOSA established
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2012
Earliest available records referenced
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2022–2025
Legacy Report period
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2026
SOSA: A Living Legacy published by AAFSW
Letter from the Presidents
[Final letter pending]“Across thirty-five years, the SOSA program has gathered the quiet extraordinary acts of Foreign Service families and made them visible. The stories in this volume — bicycles for refugees, classrooms for the deaf, recycling cooperatives, animal-welfare clinics — remind us that diplomacy is not only made at the negotiating table, but also at the kitchen table, in the schoolyard, and on the road between posts. We are grateful to every awardee, every honorable mention, and every family who has chosen to serve beyond what was asked of them…”
— Lesley & Chris Barker, AAFSW Co-Presidents (placeholder excerpt; full letter to follow)
UCCF · Founding Partner
Una Chapman Cox Foundation
The Una Chapman Cox Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the effectiveness, professionalism, and long-term capacity of the U.S. Foreign Service.
Established in 1981 through the legacy of Una Chapman Cox, the Foundation invests in the people of the U.S. Foreign Service — funding sabbaticals, mid-career fellowships, professional development, and public-diplomacy initiatives. UCCF has been a longtime supporter of the SOSA program, helping AAFSW recognize the volunteer contributions of Foreign Service employees and family members who serve their host communities with distinction.
ADST
Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training
The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) maintains the world's largest collection of U.S. diplomatic oral histories and produces podcasts, videos, books, publications, and the “Moments in U.S. Diplomatic History” online series.
GCLO
Global Community Liaison Office
The Global Community Liaison Office (GCLO) supports U.S. Foreign Service employees and families by providing resources, programs, and advocacy to improve quality of life, mobility, and community support during overseas service.