Diplomatic Watch: “America–Eurasia Center Honors Alla Rogers and Jane Pennewell on International Women’s Day”
Diplomatic Watch
Diplomatic Watch, March 15, 2026 — International Women’s Day inspired a cultural reception organized by the America–Eurasia Center on Sunday, March 8, at The Ven at Embassy Row Hotel in Washington, D.C. The occasion combined an art exhibition, professional networking, and the recognition of two women active in the city’s cultural and professional life. During the program, gallery director and artist Alla Rogers and image consultant Jane Pennewell received awards in acknowledgment of their contributions to the arts and professional development. Dr. Joseph Janco, Founder and President of the America–Eurasia Center, presided as master of ceremonies.
Members of the host committee welcomed guests at the entrance and directed them to the registration desk as the reception began. Many stepped into a nearby gallery room where the American–Eurasian Art Foundation arranged an exhibition for the occasion, while others greeted colleagues and acquaintances in the reception area as conversations continued across the space.
America-Eurasia Center 2026 honorees: Alla Rogers and Jane Pennewell
Dr. Janco opened the formal segment with a brief welcome and introduced the speakers invited to address those present. He then invited Valery Tsepkalo to speak. Tsepkalo, a former Ambassador of Belarus to the United States and founder of the Belarus Hi-Tech Park, referred to his experience as a presidential candidate in Belarus and spoke about the circumstances surrounding that contest.
At the close of his comments, Tsepkalo invited his spouse, Veronika Tsepkalo, to speak in recognition of International Women’s Day. Known internationally for her civic advocacy connected with democratic reform in Belarus, she spoke about the role women continue to play in civic engagement and public life.
Dr. Haroon Hakimi followed with brief comments. A former Afghan diplomat and policy specialist, Hakimi has worked extensively on issues related to energy security and strategic minerals and now contributes to research and teaching in those fields.
With the invited speakers concluded, Dr. Janco introduced the first honoree of the evening, Alla Rogers. In presenting the award, he referred to her long career in the arts and her work in promoting cultural exchange. Rogers founded the Alla Rogers Gallery in 1990 as a venue devoted to contemporary European and American art, with particular attention to artists from Eastern Europe and countries that emerged after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Through numerous exhibitions and artist exchanges, the gallery introduced many of these artists to audiences in Washington while encouraging collaboration with American counterparts. Rogers also retains her own artistic practice. Her paintings have appeared in Kyiv at the National Fine Art Museum of Ukraine, and she is preparing a forthcoming collection of poetry devoted to Ukraine.
Earlier that day, Rogers partnered with Georgian artist Nana Bagdavadze to host an open studio visit in Washington where guests viewed Bagdavadze’s recent paintings and discussed the artistic and scientific ideas that inform her work. The visit introduced audiences to Bagdavadze’s exploration of the double helix as a visual motif connecting human history and scientific discovery. A full account of the studio visit appears in Diplomatic Watch.
Veronika Tsepkalo presented Rogers with a framed portrait plaque bearing her photograph and an inscription recognizing her work. Rogers spoke briefly after receiving the honor.
The second award followed shortly thereafter. Dr. Ralph E. Winnie, Jr., Director of the China Program at the Eurasia Center and an international business adviser, introduced Jane Pennewell. Pennewell, President of JP Image Consulting, has advised executives, public officials, and professionals for decades on personal presentation and professional image. After earlier work in corporate management, she established her consultancy in the late 1980s and has since guided clients on color analysis, wardrobe planning, and professional styling.
Veronika Tsepkalo presented Pennewell with a framed portrait plaque, consistent with the recognition previously bestowed upon Rogers. Pennewell formally expressed appreciation upon receiving the award.
Conversation continued in the reception area following the presentations. The program then moved to the Friendship Society of Washington, D.C. raffle, coordinated by Dr. Janco and Dr. Winnie. Winnie circulated through the room with a microphone inviting participants to announce their numbers after each draw.
Several prizes were distributed as winners stepped forward one after another, introduced themselves, and received their gifts before posing for photographs. The final announcement produced an additional moment of interest when Jane Pennewell received the grand prize of the raffle, a weekend stay for two at The Ven at Embassy Row Hotel.
As the reception wound down, guests continued to chat with colleagues and friends, marking the end of the International Women’s Day observance.
