It has been a busy summer at the U.S. Consulate General Vancouver! To find out what we have been up to, read on below about the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, our Annual Independence Day Party, Indian Summer Fest, and more!
Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Joe Biden came to Vancouver as a Presidential Delegation to attend the USA versus Japan final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The delegation attended the Women’s World Cup Final in Vancouver to support the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, and VP Biden personally congratulated these women on their victory over Japan after the game on the field. VP Biden’s visit also provided an opportunity to solidify strong bilateral relations between American and Canadian federal leadership in a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. PM Harper wished the U.S. Women’s team well before the game, and both leaders reconfirmed their committed alliance and partnership between the U.S. and Canada.
Consul General Lynne Platt and U.S. Navy Commander Sean Grunwell welcomed guests to celebrate the 239th anniversary of U.S. independence at the Consulate’s Annual Independence Day Party on July 6th. With over 300 guests in attendance, the evening was full of great American food, hospitality, and entertainment. The party was hosted at the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, where guests enjoyed a stunning view of downtown Vancouver and got up close to an operational U.S. Navy Ship, the U.S.S. Stockdale. Guests were able to go aboard and tour the guided-missile destroyer. The sounds of the evening were provided first by The Royal Canadian Navy Naden Band Jazz Quartet and Chor Leoni. Local country singer-songwriter Madeline Merlo memorably ended the evening with some Johnny Cash tunes and her own songs. To see our Flickr album of the event, click here. Throughout the July 4th long weekend, sailors from the U.S.S. Stockdale volunteered serving coffee and tea at Union Gospel Mission’s Cornerstone Drop In, providing a helping hand to those in need in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
Indian Summer Festival got off to a great start this year with the arrival of the Great Railway Bazaar at ISF’s Opening Night Gala on July 9th. The U.S. Consulate General proudly sponsored Jessica Jackley’s appearance in the festival. Jackley, co-founder of micro-lending website KIVA, spoke about her new book Clay Water Brick to a sold-out audience at SFU’s Goldcorp Center for the Arts. Additionally, in partnership with Deloitte, the Consulate hosted Jessica as a speaker at our second West Coast Women in Innovation networking reception. The breakfast reception promoted a dialogue on how to support women in innovation and entrepreneurship both locally and internationally. Jessica’s talk inspired many women to share ideas with one another about how to do their part to aid up and coming women entrepreneurs in Metro Vancouver and around the globe.
Vancouver Pride week kicked off on July 27th in the City of Vancouver. With a 24′ x 12′ rainbow flag displayed on the side of City Hall, Gregor Robertson declared the annual week of LGBTQ pride in the city, and for the first time raised the transgender pride flag at City Hall. This Pride celebration is particularly poignant at this time, as the U.S. Supreme Court recently passed a ruling that has made same sex marriage legal in all 50 states. In recognition, the rainbow flag was flying high at our Consul General’s residence during the week, to celebrate alongside Vancouver during Pride Week!
