On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs Raina Forbin inaugurated the "Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé Space", a conference room within the Ministry now dedicated to the memory of the former First Lady, who was also Haiti’s first female ambassador.

The ceremony was attended by members of the late Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé’s family, including her daughter, Régine Estimé, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps, Directors General Christian Toussaint and Dr. Guy Mary Louis, and senior officials from the Ministry.

In her address, Minister Forbin paid tribute to the career of this pioneer of Haitian diplomacy, who was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Brussels in June 1959, and who, on October 1st, 1966, became the first Haitian woman to be accredited as an ambassador to a foreign government. "Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé did not merely open a door for herself; she paved the way for the generations of women who would follow in her footsteps," she stated.

By naming this conference room the "Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé Space," Raina Forbin has taken an act of remembrance, recognition, and transmission. She reaffirms the government’s commitment to honoring women who, through their courage and dedication, have brought distinction to our diplomacy and our nation.

Beyond this tribute, the Minister reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the role of women within diplomacy and across national and international institutions. "We must give them the visibility they deserve, support their ambitions, provide them with the necessary opportunities, and place our trust in them, so that they may dare to fully claim their place, flourish, and succeed," she insisted.

Speaking on behalf of her family, Ms. Régine Estimé expressed her deep gratitude for this tribute. Reflecting on her mother’s legacy, she highlighted her mother’s firm belief that education and training are essential tools for emancipation. "Anything is possible when one is well-trained," she noted, underscoring the efforts of her late mother, Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé, to ensure women’s access to all career paths, regardless of gender.

Through this initiative, the MAEC aims to preserve the memory of prominent figures in Haitian diplomacy and transform the "Lucienne Heurtelou Estimé Space" into a venue for dialogue, reflection, and inspiration—as well as a meeting point for diplomats, public officials, and individuals dedicated to promoting Haiti’s influence.

IH/ iciHaiti