Foreign Service criticized for being too male, white

Despite equal-opportunity efforts, the US Foreign Service remains overwhelmingly male and white, concludes a report by the US Commission on Civil rights, which recommends emphasis on recruitment of women and members of minority groups in top foreign policy jobs -- including ambassadorships. Examining State Department actions since 1946, the commission said women and minorities were traditionally excluded from top posts. In 1980 of all Foriegn Service officers, members of minorities made up 5.5 percent and women, 10 percent.