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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-NH-01
In this interview Hobbs discusses setting up and staffing the Peace Corps; issues with the Peace Corps; Peace Corps relations and association with the CIA; the President’s Panel on Mental Retardation; biological versus behavioral research; Panel organization and criticisms; Russian research and the possibilities for the United States; Panel recommendations; and the effect of the Panel on the field of study, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-LBH-01
In this interview Hays discusses early interactions with John F. Kennedy [JFK]; obstacles to becoming an Assistant Secretary of State and his work in that position; Hays’ trip abroad to visit the Pope; moving over to the White House and his work as a Special Assistant to the President; Federal-State intergovernmental relations; visiting Africa and various Peace Corps installations; the relationship between JFK’s Administration and different African countries; JFK and humor; making speeches and acting as a spokesman for the Kennedy Administration; and Hays’ last interaction with JFK before the assassination, among other issues.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1961-09-22-A
AR11
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1961-08-28-A
AR10, ST03, KN07
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JCPW-01
In this interview they discuss their article in Look magazine; personal recollections of President John F. Kennedy's [JFK] assassination; working on JFK’s 1960 presidential campaign; JFK’s campaigning style; JFK’s relationship with the press, White House staff, and his family; and JFK’s trips to Nassau, Europe, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson’s ranch, among other issues.
Sound recording
Edward M. Kennedy Senate Files
EMKSEN-AU0007-016-009
Sound recording of the radio program "Face Off." Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy of Massachusetts and Senator Alan K. "Al" Simpson of Wyoming debate illiteracy in the United States and the idea of enlisting college students to volunteer as literacy tutors in local schools and adult education centers in return for credit in their college courses. Senator Kennedy calls the idea the Literacy Corps and compares its potential to the Peace Corps. The episode aired on Monday, January 4, 1988, on the Mutual Broadcasting System.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-1996-032-017
Peter K. Shaker served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand from 1984 to 1986 as an English teacher and teacher trainer. A first-generation American, he learned Thai and received technical training in teaching English during his pre-service training in Nakhon Nayok and Maha Sarakham. Shaker was stationed in two provinces, Nakhon Pathom in central Thailand and Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand. He taught English at secondary schools and trained Thai teachers. He was able to travel throughout Thailand, visiting many parks and temples, and enjoyed the culture and natural beauty. Shaker's experience in the Peace Corps has had a lasting impact on his life and career. It helped him appreciate the diversity of cultures and languages and steered him into a long career in education. Interviewed and recorded by Patrick Preston, May 13, 1994, as part of a Northeastern University public history class. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file). A user's guide is available in Box 122.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2011-004
Marilyn Lashley served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia from 1978 to 1980 as a teacher trainer. She joined during a period when Peace Crops was enrolling families with children. Marilyn and her husband (both teacher trainers) and two young children attended training at Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee, and in Liberia. Lashley was first assigned to Kakata Rural Teacher Training Institute. After one term, she separated from her husband and transferred to Gbarnga to work on a curriculum materials development project. Mid-service Lashley transferred again to Monrovia and then was forced to evacuate from Liberia with her children in 1980 due to a coup and civil unrest. In the interview, she shares her experiences as an African American female teacher. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, October 10, 2010. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2008-090
C. Michael (Mike) Farmer served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal from June 1963 to June 1965 in a community development program. In his interview, he recounts his experiences and observations as a volunteer. Note: Interview ends abruptly. Interviewed and recorded by Paul Kinsley, June 17, 2008. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2015-023
Martin R. Ganzglass served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Somalia from 1966 to 1968 as a lawyer. He served alongside his wife Evelyn. Their Somalia IV training group at Columbia University Teachers College included both teachers and lawyers. As one of the lawyers, Ganzglass would help the newly independent country translate laws into English and integrate the diverse colonial legal systems. Assigned to the National Police Force headquarters in Mogadishu, Ganzglass advised officials in the interpretation and enforcement of laws. Working closely with police leadership, Ganzglass faced numerous challenges, including several with potential international repercussions. He and Evelyn, who was teaching in a girls school, taught English informally in their home and socialized with Somalis and fellow volunteers. The two years in Somalia formed the foundation of their strong marriage and resulted in life-long friendships with several Americans and Somalis, including a family of political refugees. Interviewed and recorded by Patricia Wand, February 25, 2015. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file). Note: Audio skips due a technical problem with the original tape.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2015-006
Lillian Baer served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Ivory Coast in an education program. She worked in a secondary school in the city of Man teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Peace Corps training began at Dartmouth, the summer after her junior year in college, and continued a year later after graduation in Quebec and then in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. Lillian describes an extremely difficult and frustrating first year as a volunteer, struggling with the language. She persevered, however, and found the second year to be very satisfying and productive. After competing volunteer service, Lillian served for six years as Peace Corps staff, from 1973 to 1979, as Education Specialist for the Africa Region in Washington, D.C.; Director of Regional Training Resource Office in Dakar, Senegal; Acting PC Director in 3 countries; and Associate PC Director for Education and Training in Senegal. Lillian went on to live in Senegal for 32 years. Interviewed and recorded by Phyllis Noble, October 23, 2014. 3 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2014-038
Harry E. Bennett served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize from 2002 to 2004 on a sustainable agriculture and rural community development project. Harry and his wife joined the Peace Corps when Harry was age 53, after thirty years of living and working on an organic farm in Kansas. His Peace Corps projects in Belize provided an excellent opportunity for Harry to combine his university studies in business with his long experience in farming. He worked with Mayan subsistence farmers in projects to supplement their family farming with cooperative efforts to bring in cash. A project to grow hot chile peppers failed when their market disappeared, but a subsequent project to grow cacao in the rainforest was successful. Interviewed and recorded by Phyllis Noble, February 19, 2014. 3 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2006-007-005
Martha Allshouse Hull served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines from 1961 to 1963 in an education program. She had graduated from San Francisco State with a degree in social studies education. Hull trained at Penn State for an assignment in the Philippines as an educational aide. After lengthy language and cultural training, she was assigned to an isolated island and worked in a local elementary school. In her second year, Hull transferred to a project in Mindinao, helping to develop a national university that would integrate Muslim and Christian students. Interviewed and recorded by Robert Klein, September 13, 2005. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2006-057-008
Kim Nolte served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala from 1986 to 1989 on a nutrition project. Interviewed and recorded by Nancy Chorpenning, August 9, 2005. 2 tapes (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-MR-2005-052-005
Lawrence E. Newman served in Malawi working in education in an urban area. The interview describes his experience as an African-American serving in the Peace Corps. Interviewed and recorded by Linda Millette, June 12, 2005. 1 tape (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-079
Robert Crisp served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic from August 1962 to July 1964 as a rural community development specialist. Prior to joining, he had served in the Army and completed a degree in international relations. Crisp trained both in the Outward Bound camp outside of Arecibo, Puerto Rico (for language and physical and emotional endurance) and at the University of Puerto Rico (for cultural and community development studies). He was assigned to Hato Mayor to work on youth clubs and chicken production but became disenchanted with the work ethic of the community. He asked for a transfer and moved to the town of Constanza, where he dug wells and built an oven and wash basin. During his service, the government of the Dominican Republic was overthrown in a military coup. In the interview, Crisp discusses both positive and strained relations with the Dominicans, but feels that his experience was extremely valuable. Interviewed and recorded by Randolph Adams, November 22, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-078
Mary Quattro served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia from August 1968 to November 1970 as a secondary education teacher. She was born and raised in a small rural community in West Virginia with a large immigrant population. She joined after completing a degree in education, and her pre-service training in Hawaii covered the Bahasa Malay language, teaching techniques, and Malaysian culture. At the time, Malaysia was a newly independent country and welcomed Peace Corps support in various areas, especially education. Quattro boarded at her school alongside a diverse group of students and teachers. While she loved her site, colleagues, and the work in general, she felt the Peace Corps failed her in not dealing with a stalker, which forced her to leave service two months early. The experience changed how she saw the world and helped develop her self-confidence. Interviewed and recorded by Randolph Adams, December 9, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-077
Jeffrey (Jeff) Walsh served as a Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa from July 2016 to June 2018 as a teacher. He joined in his 50s after having worked as a teacher, an Army medic, and an AmeriCorps volunteer. Walsh enjoyed the total immersion experience of living with a host family during training. He was the first Peace Corps volunteer to be assigned to Maphoitsile, where he taught English and life skills to primary school children. As the result of a letter that Walsh wrote to Bishop Desmond Tutu, his school received 500 laptop desks. Twenty-three months into his service, volunteers in the region were evacuated due to safety concerns, and he completed his final months at the Peace Corps office in Pretoria. Walsh also discusses using Grassroot Soccer as a teaching tool, an article he wrote for World Vision magazine, and bringing the Mother Bear Project to South Africa. Interviewed and recorded by Julius (Jay) Sztuk, March 5, 2020. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-076
Imhotep Simba served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador from May 2017 to August 2019 on an urban youth development project. Growing up as an African-American in Baltimore, Maryland, his mother encouraged him to be a global thinker. His early career entailed mentoring young boys in his hometown. Simba was determined to serve in the Peace Corps and applied four times. His staging took place in Miami, where he met his group and conducted pre-departure activities. The group arrived in Quito, and their pre-service training (PST) took place in the Monteserrin neighborhood. Training included comprehensive Spanish, cross-cultural content, and safety seminars. Simba worked in a drug rehabilitation center for youth, and reflected on how their lives mirrored his own. He is proud of the safe spaces he created for the youth to talk, and the sessions he led on life skills, identity, and self-discipline. He also taught English and cooking classes as a secondary project. Interviewed and recorded by Charlaine Loriston, January 10, 2020. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-075
Jim Brown served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria from September 1962 to August 1964 as a secondary school teacher. Growing up in Chicago, he became interested in exploring the world at a young age. Brown applied to the Peace Corps during his senior year of college. His training was held at UCLA and covered a full range of topics: language, technical, culture, and health. In Nigeria, Brown was dropped at a remote secondary Catholic boys' school in the middle of the jungle where the nearest village was an hour away. The structured school day included some open time to talk about issues in the U.S. in comparison to Nigeria. Upon completing his service, Brown attended graduate school for African studies and gave lectures on his experience in Nigeria. He became a professor of African studies and also curated a museum of African art at his university. Interviewed and recorded by Randolph Adams, December 21, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-074
Megan Nejjari served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from March 2012 to May 2014 in a youth development program. Several of her family members had careers in foreign service and other global areas, and Nejjari completed a degree in international studies. She was first invited serve in Kazakhstan, but then her group was transferred to Morocco. Her community-based training included living with a host family. She also had a practicum at a local youth center and experiential activities in the town. Although she was trained in the wrong language for her location, there were excellent technical resources. Nejjari was assigned to the town of Tiznit in a Berber region in southern Morocco. She taught English classes of 10 to 65 students at night, a women's aerobics group, and health (HIV/AIDS) and environment classes at a local youth center. She says that the curiosity of the people she met allowed for great interpersonal exchanges about our different lives. Nejjari married a Moroccan man and remains very connected to Moroccan culture. Interviewed and recorded by Randolph Adams, December 21, 2019. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-072
Tony Barclay served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya from January 1968 to December 1970 as a high school teacher. His training took place at Columbia University Teachers College. He was stationed in Kapsabet, Kenya. Barclay taught 32 classes per week at Kapsabet Boys High School, including the school's first African history course. He also coached basketball and track and field, and sponsored the school magazine, art club, and drama club. Several of his students went on to earn university scholarships in the U.S., and others built successful careers in Kenya's government and private sectors. After extending his service for a third year, Barclay went on to earn a PhD in anthropology based on research in western Kenya and then joined a global development consulting firm. Since retiring, he has been teaching university courses and serving on nonprofit boards. Interviewed and recorded by Russell E. Morgan, Jr., February 19, 2020. 2 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-071
Toby Marion served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Afghanistan from 1971 to 1975 in an education program. As a science teacher, he took experiment kits (provided by the United Nations Development Programme) around to middle and high schools in Kapisa Province and taught local science teachers how to use them. Marion then extended his service to teach three semesters of engineering in Kabul. In the interview, he discusses his reasons for joining the Peace Corps, what Afghanistan was like in the early 1970s, the comfortable standard of living he enjoyed on $90/month, and how his group was encouraged to dress professionally in order to garner respect. He speaks about the life-long friends he developed, of the satisfaction of becoming fluent in Farsi, and how impressed he was with the world knowledge of illiterate local villagers. He also recounts a 46-day hike across central Afghanistan, and shares how the Peace Corps influenced him to become an internationalist. Interviewed and recorded by Candice Wiggum, February 3, 2020. 3 digital audio files (web streaming files combined into 1 file).
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-070
Richard Shields served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia from 1963 to 1965 in an elementary education program. During his senior year in college, he was moved by Kennedy's speech introducing the Peace Corps and decided to serve. His initial weeks-long training started at Syracuse University where he learned about health and safety and about his job. Thereafter, he left for Liberia where cultural immersion began. Shields lived in a zinc-roofed house in Ganta near the border of Guinea. His training didn't quite prepare him for what the reality was on the ground. He learned how to teach English, reading, and social studies without resources, demonstrate concepts with everyday activities, and more. He started a food program to provide meals to students, a Boy Scouts troop, and even a glee club. He recalls his battle with malaria, awareness of his privilege, and the emotions he felt upon the news of Kennedy's assassination. Because of the Peace Corps, Shields dedicated his life to teaching in under-served communities. Interviewed and recorded by Charlaine Loriston, October 15, 2019. 1 digital audio file.
Oral history
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Collection
RPCV-ACC-2020-069
Lisa Weiss served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ukraine from 2005 to 2008 as a teacher. She later served in Peace Corps Response in Colombia in 2011. In Ukraine she underwent intensive Russian language training and technical training at a school 40 minutes outside of Kyiv. After three months of training, her site placement was in Feodosia, a small city located on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea. She volunteered in a secondary school and taught content-based instruction in history and literature of English-speaking countries. She joined Peace Corps Response in 2011, and was part of the second group sent to Colombia after a 30-year absence from the country. She co-taught in Barranquilla at a school for the gifted and led professional development. At the close of the interview she cites that the Peace Corps made her more resilient and understanding of other cultures. Interviewed and recorded by Elaine Staab, December 7, 2019. 1 digital audio file.