News
In Memoriam – September 2020
We honor members of the Peace Corps community whom we have recently lost. Whether in local office, the judiciary, the military, or through civic engagement, members of the Peace Corps community are committed to — in the words of founder Sargent Shriver — “Serve, Serve, Serve!” We recognize and honor the contributions of many of these public servants whom we lost in the recent past. John Early (1946 – 2020) was a member of the 70th group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in India, joining in 1968 after his graduation from Cornell University, and serving until 1972, beyond the standard two years. His family ties to...
Peace Corps Achievements — September 2020
Achievements of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Across the country — and around the world By Peter Deekle (Iran 1968–1970) BURKINA FASO Tyler E. Lloyd (2012–2014) is an environmental protection specialist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and author of a memoir, Service Disrupted: My Peace Corps Story (August 2017). Tyler hosts My Peace Corps Story podcast, aiming to tell some of the many diverse and rich stories of Peace Corps Volunteers in their own words. The podcast is temporarily suspended, to be resumed later in 2020. Yoruba Mitchell is a community health educator with Doctors without Borders, teaching people how to prevent malaria, cholera, Zika, and Ebola. Since early 2020, she...
Looking Back at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom: A Conversation with Betty Currie
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King gave the “I Have a Dream” speech that has become a defining moment in American History. Women of Peace Corps Legacy interview founding member Betty Currie about her experience there. by Katie McSheffrey Betty Currie‘s long career with Peace Corps began in 1969, after her job at USAID ended. She was initially recruited to work in the Africa Region as the secretary for the regional director. When the newly appointed Peace Corps Director, Joseph Blatchford, needed a secretary, Betty’s talents were already known at the agency. “The job was a crucial one. It had 10,000 people spread out over...
Protect Peace Corps’ Future. It Starts Now — with Virtual District Meetings.
How can you help? Meet with your national legislators now – virtually. By Jonathan Pearson We are entering a period where the future of the Peace Corps is on the line. The next 18 to 36 months will be crucial to the survival of the agency. Why? Peace Corps must have the necessary resources to redeploy as soon as practicable, with expedited applications for recent evacuees. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are the most influential voices when it comes to speaking up for Peace Corps. And efforts to ensure Peace Corps’ future are ramping up now. It begins with virtual district office meetings. First up:...
In Memoriam – August 2020
We mourn the recent deaths of a number of amazing leaders of our Peace Corps community. Whether working around the world, in local cities and towns, or within the network of those who served in the Peace Corps, RPCVs and former staff are leaders. Walter C. Carrington (1930 – 2020) was an early Country Director, serving Peace Corps in that position in Tunisia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone between 1961 and 1969. He would then serve as Peace Corps' Regional Director for Africa from 1969-71. But that was just one component of his very illustrious career. He graduated from Harvard College (in...
Fulbrights, Global Citizens, Teacher of the Year: Community Achievements — August 2020
Achievements of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Across the country — and around the world By Peter Deekle (Iran 1968-1970) RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS (RPCV) MADISON The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Madison, Wisconsin, is the recipient of the Global Citizen Award from the United Nations Association of America, recognizing its annual production of an international events calendar, ongoing community programs (such as Freeze for Food walk), and a long history of service reflecting the United Nation’s mission, values, and goals. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Alexander Battaglia (2018–20) has received a Fulbright award for the 2020–21 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the...
Peace Corps Connect to the Future: A Call-to-Action from NPCA Board Chair Maricarmen Smith-Martinez
We thank you for your continued support and acknowledge the need for change. Closing remarks for Peace Corps Connect to the Future. Thank you, Glenn. And thank you, Dr. Frederick, for your support. We look forward to continued engagement with you and with Howard University. Fellow RPCVs and friends, on behalf of the National Peace Corps Association Board of Directors and as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Costa Rica from 2006 to 2008, I'm so grateful for the opportunity to engage with you today. Thank you for your passion for service, for your dedication and time, for your...
From Ideas to Action: Reimagining a Peace Corps for the Future
Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers and one with half a century of leadership experience in conversation. The big question: How can we transform this moment in Peace Corps history? On July 18, 2020, National Peace Corps Association hosted Peace Corps Connect to the Future, a global ideas summit. Four Volunteers joined NPCA President Glenn Blumhorst in conversation to discuss their experiences — and tackle some questions about how the believe Peace Corps — and the Peace Corps community — needs to change. Here’s the discussion — with video highlights throughout. And a video of the full conversation. Marieme Foote, Evacuated RPCV | Benin...
Peace Corps Connect to the Future: A Welcome from NPCA President & CEO Glenn Blumhorst
We’ve reached the summit. But this is not the end of the journey. Welcoming remarks for Peace Corps Connect to the Future. By Glenn Blumhorst On July 18, 2020, National Peace Corps Association hosted Peace Corps Connect to the Future, a global ideas summit. Here is the introduction from NPCA President and CEO Glenn Blumhorst. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Glenn Blumhorst. I'm President of National Peace Corps Association. And I was a Volunteer in Guatemala from 1988 to '91. And I've chosen today to represent my bio — what we're doing is a six-word bio for myself today —...
Luis Argueta: Now is a Time to Recognize Privilege — and Common Ties
A host country perspective from Guatemala. Remarks from the July 2020 global ideas summit: Peace Corps Connect to the Future. By Luis Argueta On July 18, 2020, National Peace Corps Association hosted Peace Corps Connect to the Future, a global ideas summit. NPCA invited three winners of the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award to share their perspectives. Here are remarks delivered by Luis Argueta — film director and producer whose work helps audiences better understand people on the margins — including “The Silence of Neto,” Guatemala’s first Oscar submission. Below is an edited version of his remarks. We are at...