Quelle femme épatante! (Wow! What a woman!) Maïté; Catherine Mathieu’s mum

 

Friendships begin here… I got to know Chantale during her term as WBVS President in 2002. Her courageous leadership propelled significant advances on domestic abuse issues, work authorization challenges, ways to better welcome and help new families – to name just a few. Was there a Bank department that had not heard about WBVS? What a dynamic year for WBVS! New initiatives resulted in positive developments. The first WBVS exhibit and annual dinner were held in the MC Atrium. And, at the WBVS annual meeting, members changed the organization’s name to World Bank Family Network. True to character, Chantale observed, “…whatever we might call ourselves, WIVES, WBVS, it is the spirit of international friendship. Offering services to members, belonging to a caring community that counts.”

Chantale has been a wonderful mentor to many of us. For sure initiatives which started during her presidency opened doors for subsequent WBFN presidents and for increased respect for our organization throughout the Bank. Let me share an event that illustrates this recognition. At the end of my own term as WBFN president in 2004, the Bank’s Internal Communications invited WBFN to participate in the celebration marking the Bank’s 60th Anniversary. We expressed our desire to host a videoconference to include Bank families in country offices to discuss “What makes a relocation experience a good one?” Chantale had worked successfully in past years to develop valuable communications with our “Members

Abroad”; so, we quickly got commitments from families in Country Offices in Hong Kong, Istanbul, New Delhi, Brasilia, and Santo Domingo. It proved much tougher, however, to overcome technical challenges and resolve administrative questions. Privately, as time passed, we felt concerned about the likelihood of success. (This was way before skype!) Remember too, all the time zones involved in this event. The day of June 30th arrives. Picture the Preston Auditorium set up for this unique event: the big screen on the platform, chairs on stage for Chantale, myself and five other WBFN members, and, of course, all the chairs for the expected audience. What huge relief and wonder we felt when the event actually started and the five country offices magically connected, with their representatives appearing on the big screen! All the logistics worked! A unique event in Bank history unfolded. It felt superlative. I will always be indebted to Chantale, not only for her support and thoughtful participation but also for her extensive and heartfelt outreach to Bank families. The event was such a tribute to the Bank and its Country Directors. Ultimately it exemplified our spirit of caring for staff and families.

Lois Khairallah

When I look back at the years I spent as Honorary President of the World Bank Family Network, I have memories of certain people who enriched my life and who made an enormous difference both for the WBFN and for families at the Bank. Chantale Holzman is certainly one of those people. On any issue that arose, I would always want to know what Chantale thought because of her wisdom and good judgment. So let me thank her again for all the help she gave me during my years at the Bank, but more importantly for

all the help she gave new families coming to Washington.  The WBFN will certainly miss her, but she is leaving an organization that is very sound because of her excellent input and hard work.  

Elaine Wolfensohn

We first knew you as a Master Teacher who quietly organized and marshaled the volunteers’ efforts at Cardozo High School in D.C. The Book Project, with cunning and foresight, stealthily roped you in as their President; but not to be out done, WBFN co-opted you as Their “President in Chief”!

From that vantage point, there was no stopping you!... You became “Spouse in Chief” fighting for the ongoing rights of spouses and their protection from domestic violence as well as “Family Advocate in Chief” safeguarding Bank

services for all families here and in COs.

Many more knew you as party organizer, photographer and quilter as well as Chief Humorist of the Family Network.

We will indeed miss you as “Chief”, but most of all we will miss you as the true and tried friend you have been to all of us.

Hada Zaidan

With Chantale, HSD had a great WBFN interlocutor over the past years. We worked together on many topics: domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, health promotion fairs and lectures, etc.I appreciated in particular her very pragmatic approach—what isrealistic and not in terms of action, her capacity to go straight to the point—avoiding the convoluted language so often used in the Bank, and her drive to achieve goals.

Bernard Demure

Two things I’ll always remember about Chantale: her ability to get people together and her ability to look forward. Whether for a reunion with an old friend who is visiting, or to discuss a serious issue, she was always able to assemble a group (and provide

delicious goodies for the occasion!) Everyone accepted an invitation from Chantale! As WBFN President she realized that spousal careers were increasing in importance, given the changing nature of the Bank, and her initiatives provided a springboard for a large number of newcomers. Her contributions are many, and she will be missed. Bonne chance, Chantale.

Barry McIsaac

I think I met Chantale when she arrived in Washington some ten years ago through mutual friends. From the very beginning WBFN became a very important part of her life, and, while she kept trying to recruit me, I kept thinking that it was totally silly to devote so much time not only to a volunteer organization but, moreover, to work for free for the World Bank. Eventually, some 5 years ago she managed to convince

me, and I came to the Family Network, thinking it would only be for a short time, just to see? Working closely with Chantale has allowed me to understand the importance ofthe work the organization is doing and its achievements through strong advocacy and hardvolunteer work—results which would not be attainable by simply being WBG staff. Chantaleis the “roll-up-our-sleeves” kind of leader who will tirelessly advocate to better the life ofWBG families, from the simple right of access to information to the prevention of DomesticAbuse. But Chantale is more than that, not only will she be the first one to visit a friend inhospital or spend hours trying to helpdistressed spouses, she will also be there to sharethe joy of members—how could one forget her inimitable baby showers? In two words, Chantale cares! I will miss heras a friend and as a mentor.

Gilda Dadush

The defining gesture: I have spent countless moments with Chantale: biking, writing, discussing, joking. Her wit, energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and strong

commitment to the cause of women has always been contagious. There are moments in life that you cherish, because they were the start of a new period in life. I remember exactly the moment I finally got the feeling of having figured out my place in Washington DC. The first few months after moving here passed in a blur as I tried getting a work permit, and a job! I took many courses announced in Mosaic to navigate the incomprehensible American job market. I still vividly remember attending a session at the H-building, filled with anger and unease; this was not my world! After the session, I came down to the WBFN Office where I ran into Chantale Holzmann. She asked me what I liked to do, and I mumbled “writing”. She enthusiastically put her arm around my shoulders and told me I could not have come at a better moment, they desperately needed someone to write for Mosaic. Then, she jokingly told the others not to approach me since “I discovered her first”. We all laughed, and that was it. I had found my home. I felt so happy. Chantale, thank you for your support and the joy you have brought us all!

Maaike le Grand

I want to thank Chantale for all her work on behalf of the Bank Family Network. The Network is a better organization and a better place thanks to her unselfishness, tireless efforts and advocacy skills. Working with her, I have learned that there is always a solution in the face of administrative or policy roadblocks. That’s a credit to her resiliency and genuine commitment to the wellbeing of Bank Group families- a great lesson even for the most optimistic types like me.

Gérémie Sawadogo

My first impression of Chantale was a strong leader and a woman with an intuitive

knowledge of human nature. Chantale later became WBFN President and provided me and other volunteers the critical support to accomplish our work and nurture our creativity. She would find rooms, obtain authorizations... nothing was impossible in the spirit of accomplishing WBFN's mission to lend support to World Bank families. During the time we worked together, I learned of her conviction and compassion to assist Domestic Abuse victims. She became a discrete and trusting friend to many women (and men) experiencing tremendous hardship. Chantale and other brave spouses’ conviction and determination resulted in the creation of a World Bank institutionalized response to DA. We wish Chantale and supportive husband "extraordinaire", Robert, the very best as they leave the DC area. We will miss her talent as an excellent chef, graceful hostess, and meticulous mistress having opened their home for potlucks, groups... any cause to support Bank families.

Elizabeth Legrain

Chantale frequently spoke of her belief that WBFN is only asstrong as its volunteers,and she strove to keep WBFN an attractive,vibrant and caring community, where the energy is constantly flowing and contagious, the work gets done, and lifelong global friendships are formed. Chantale, we know you are still only an emailor skype call away, right?

Louise Shimizu