{"value"=>"<p>Mabel M. Smythe (1918-2006) was an American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Cameroon (1977-1980) and later Equatorial Guinea (1979-1980) as well as the deputy assistant secretary of state for African Affairs. She was the second African American woman to be named a U.S. ambassador. Smythe was the wife of Hugh H. Smythe, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Syria (1965-1967) and to Malta (1967-1969). He was the first Black U.S. ambassador to serve in the Middle East. Interviewer is Ruth S. Njiri.</p>"}