ITU Elects Ham from US as New Secretary General

The International Telecommunication Union, the United Nations agency that coordinates telecommunications operations globally, has elected an amateur radio operator from the US as its new secretary-general. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, KD2JTX, will be the first woman to hold that office when she succeeds Houlin Zhao on is 1st January 2022.

Her campaign page on the US Department of State website lists her deep involvement with the ITU, most recently as director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau. The website listed her accomplishments in bringing about upgrades that better embrace digital advances, and that her work in the role supported global efforts to promote school connectivity and greater involvement of youth. Under her leadership, the ITU focused on giving youth more of a voice in strategy and programs.

She posted on her Twitter account on September 19th: [quote] "Immensely proud to be the first woman ever elected to the post of ITU Secretary-General. We've finally smashed a 157-y.o. glass ceiling! – and I hope this result inspires women and girls everywhere to dream big and make those dreams a reality!"

Immensely proud to be the first woman ever elected to the post of ITU Secretary-General. We’ve finally smashed a 157-y.o. glass ceiling! – and I hope this result inspires women and girls everywhere to dream big and make those dreams a reality!”
— Doreen Bogdan-Martin, KD2JTX Twitter Account