Arizona Reflections on the Peace Corps

“(Peace Corps) had a large impact, turning me in the direction of assembling groups of fellow citizens to attack problems in the community. Since I now live in a state that provides few services to the economically disadvantaged, learning how to spot the problems, spot possible solutions, and gather and animate a group to attack the situation and better it was a key take-away from Peace Corps days 50 years ago.” David C. Tierney Esq. Venezuela 1966 – 1969 Phoenix, AZ 85012

“Since returning from Lesotho...I usually have at least two volunteer jobs on-going.” Mary Ellen Jones Lesotho 1990 - 1993 Phoenix, AZ 85013

“(My proudest Peace Corps moment was) Getting farmers in a small village to plant the new strain of 'Oil Palm' trees that produced more palm oil, and I received reports that many of the trees survived even after the tough Biafrian war.” Norris A. Nordvold Nigeria 1964 – 1966 Phoenix, AZ 85014

“(My proudest Peace Corps moment was) Seeing my students excel on their O Level exams in physics and chemistry.​
” Robert C. Moffitt PhD Malawi 1963 – 1965 Phoenix, AZ 85020

“I live my life now (after Peace Corps) with service in mind; nothing gives me greater joy than being able to help others!” Theresa Munanga 110 Kenya 2004 – 2007 Phoenix, AZ 85032

Arizona Reflections on the Peace Corps

“I love knowing (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) are a body of people who care about all people.” Theresa M. McIntyre Pakistan 1963 – 1965 Phoenix, AZ 85048

“The third goal of Peace Corps service is to bring knowledge back home, and that includes bringing back information to potential future volunteers. I continue to urge anyone who will listen, whether young or not so young, to consider joining the Peace Corps. In the end, there are few activities that can equal Peace Corps service for adventure or satisfaction. Hearts and minds cannot be won through hostility, but only through the type of friendship that Peace Corps inspires.” Aria Ruks Kyrgyzstan 2005-2007 Mesa, AZ 85201

“At 70, I am very much aware of how my Peace Corps experience shaped the person I have become. My interest in Southeast Asia, tribal peoples, textiles, and anthropology all came from those two years.” Jacqueline S. Butler-Diaz Thailand 1968 – 1970 Mesa, AZ 85202

“The Peace Corps ’community development’ philosophy I was taught 50 years ago has served me exceedingly well throughout my professional career. At its simplest, the technique involves convincing others that moving towards a desirable, albeit difficult, change was all their idea in the first place. Ultimately, my growing skill at operationalizing this practice propelled me to a leadership position as national work-life director at a Big Four accounting firm, where I created the architecture for a work environment initiative that has slowly but profoundly transformed a 100 plus year-old ’boys club’ culture into an ambiance appropriately designed for the 21st century.” Kathleen Lingle Chile 1966-1968 Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Arizona Reflections on the Peace Corps

“Being a Peace Corps volunteer was so fulfilling for me that my wife and I plan on taking the journey together upon retirement. We hope that after three decades of medical practice and public service (in my case), we will be able to share similar experiences together. That’s OUR retirement plan, at least.” Edward A. Traum Dominican Republic 1990 – 1992 Tempe, AZ 85282

“….As my first time outside of the US, Filipinos, work, my host family, and Peace Corps volunteers deepened my appreciation of the Philippines' cultural, social, and political richness, and broadened my understanding of worldwide issues and challenges...” Dr. Ruth Yabes Philippines 1977 - 1980 Tempe, AZ 85283

“What Peace Corps means to me is what it has always represented, Americans unselfishly sharing our blessings with others.” Richard Marchese Colombia 1973-1975 Sun City, AZ 85351

“I have been back to Pohnpei (Micronesia) in 2008; I saw adults that I had taught in positions of leadership.” Don L. Warren Federated States of Micronesia 1969 – 1971 Goodyear, AZ 85395

“(Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) are all people who wish to make the world a better place in one way or another. We collaborate on many service projects and make donations to Peace Corps Partnerships (fundraising projects for currently serving volunteers) abroad.” Julia Mehrer Ecuador 1963 - 1964; Peru 1972 - 1974 Vail, AZ 85641

Arizona Reflections on the Peace Corps

“Certainly meeting Alejandro Toledo in 1964 standing in front of his house as my former husband, Joel, and I walked through the neighborhood in Chimbote, Peru, was most memorable. He asked his parents if I could live in a little room in the front of the house that was used as a ’tienda.’ On return to the US, we sponsored him and helped him register at the University of San Francisco. He became President of Peru from 2001-2006. He helped Peru begin a strong economic path that has continued to the present.” Nancy Deeds Meister LCSW Peru 1964 – 1965 Tucson, AZ 85718

“(Peace Corps is) one hopeful expression of true internationalism.” Margaret St. John PhD Ethiopia 1968 – 1971 Tucson, AZ 85718

“As a member of the English department, I was asked to work with a professor from the college of education to develop a two-year course of study for meeting the English language requirement in the first two university years. I heard about ten years later that the curriculum was still in place.” ​ Dr. Mary Lou Gammon Venezuela 1966 – 1968 Tucson, AZ 85730

“The Peace Corps experience solidified my interest in people and places. It confirmed my desire to seek a career in the international arena. Upon returning to the States, I went to work for International Harvester Company and in little more than two years was posted to Beirut, Lebanon. My career in international business evolved from there.” Jay O. Suchland El Salvador 1962 – 1964 Oro Valley, AZ 85737

Arizona Reflections on the Peace Corps

“When I returned to the US and moved to Tucson, AZ, I volunteered at a number of places: Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (docent), Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter (on the board), a wildlife rehabilitation center, Hearts That Purr Feline Rescue Organization (on the board), and at The Arizona State School for the Deaf and the Blind (where I also worked for 37 years).” Patricia Modugno-Furman Bolivia 1967 Tucson, AZ 85742

“(My proudest Peace Corps accomplishment was) Knowing that so many students passed their Cambridge/Form 3 exam. Years later (2006) I met one student who’d become a policeman, another a teacher, and the last a botanical flora native to Sabah.” Sybil M. Aldridge Malaysia 1967 – 1969 Tucson, AZ 85745

“I am gratified that, like many of us, my son became a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi decades after I completed my service in Ghana.” Richard Persely Ghana 1973-1976 Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403