from the UNA-USA Pasadena Community Feb. 2026 Newsletter 

Paige LaCombe, Chair of Servas Women and former UNA-USA Pasadena board member, led the United Nations Association Pasadena’s first coffee talk of the year. LaCombe presented her work with Servas, including Servas Women, to members of the UNA Pasadena community on January 17th. LaCombe invited members to participate in her talk, with self-reflection and opportunities to share, creating an intimate space to consider what it would mean to welcome an international visitor into one’s home and to travel abroad to stay with a host. 

LaCombe, who has served as the elected peace secretary of Servas, helped build Servas Women to encourage women to travel internationally safely and sustainably while advocating for global women’s rights. Per Servas’ website, “Servas International requests UN Member States to take all possible steps to stop arms delivery and redirect military funds to humanitarian causes; protect women and girls from gender-based violence; and promote women’s involvement in leadership roles in ending conflict and building peace.” LaCombe's work with Servas Women has taken her around the world to hear women's stories and collaborate with them in advocacy. 

As an international non-governmental organization (INGO), Servas consults with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council. Servas encourages sustainable travel and a symbiotic exchange of cultures in addition to advocating for human rights globally. This March, UNA-USA Pasadena Chapter President Ann Diederich and Paige LaCombe will present at the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Forum in New York. 

Reflection questions: What would it mean for you to open your doors to an international visitor? How would you welcome an international visitor? How would you feel staying with a host in another country? What would you share from home?