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Nearly one year to the day after the clap-out at the Ronald Reagan Building, members of the USAID and broader foreign assistance community gathered on the same stretch of sidewalk in downtown Washington, D.C.

At last February’s clap-out, the mood was marked by uncertainty, sadness, and anger. Staff were afforded 15 minutes to clean out their personal belongings while colleagues lined the sidewalks in support. There were more questions than answers, and no one knew what would come next.

This February 27th was markedly different. People arrived early, greeting one another with hugs. Conversations picked up mid-sentence. What brought everyone back was not nostalgia, but recognition of something that has held steady through the past year: a shared identity and an unwavering commitment to service.

The Rally for USAID was organized by AFGE Local 1534, the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the USAID Alumni Association (UAA), OneAID, Aid on the Hill, and Our USAID Community. Together, speakers created space to reflect on how far the community has come and where it is headed next. Speakers included Mike Henning, President of AFGE Local 1534, John “Dink” Dinkleman of AFSA, and Chris Mulligan, former USAID Counselor representing UAA. They reflected on the need for solidarity among the community and encouraged continued advocacy for nonpartisan public service and foreign assistance. 

OneAID, Our USAID Community, and Aid on the Hill, all event co-sponsors, spoke to the achievements of grassroots groups in the face of last year’s adversity. OneAID’s Catherine Baker spoke to the importance of community and connection, while reminding attendees that service in a time of crisis is the purest form of patriotism. Laura Pavlovic of Our USAID Community highlighted how groups like hers are working to uphold the rule of law and the civil service through the courts. Representing Aid on the Hill, Amanda Nataro highlighted how citizen demand for foreign assistance is critical to spark congressional action.  All three groups noted the contributions of volunteers who are getting involved however they can to advocate for foreign assistance, and mentioned ways to support their efforts.

The program concluded with remarks from Maria Price Detherage, former Deputy Assistant Administrator for Africa at USAID, who reflected on what public service has meant across decades of her career, saying, “Being a public servant means giving the best of me to ensure the best of others all across the globe.”

Her remarks connected the past year’s experiences to a longer tradition of service rooted not in institutions or titles, but in values. She spoke about resilience and what continues to endure even through periods of uncertainty.

“An agency closed, a building closed, a chapter closed, but service did not close,” she said.

To conclude the rally, Detherage administered the oath of office to those gathered, reframing it as a recommitment not to a workplace, but to the Constitution and the principles behind public service itself. For many in attendance, the familiar words carried renewed meaning.

Following the event, people lingered in small groups across the plaza, reconnecting with former colleagues and friends, continuing conversations that felt both reflective and forward-looking. Nearly a year after a moment defined by uncertainty, the return to the Reagan Building was less about looking back and more about recognizing what has endured. Our community remains connected by experience, strengthened by resilience, and united by a commitment to serve – however that might look post-USAID.

Missed the Rally / Livestream?

• Watch OneAID’s full recording on Instagram, and make sure you follow for future Live events and information
• Watch the recording of the rally archived on OneAID’s YouTube Channel.
• Watch the DC News Now coverage

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