Co-Written By: Kate Raftery, Deepa Ramesh, and Jody Olsen

Peace Corps Connect Reflections

 

Women of Peace Corps Legacy had a wonderful time at PC Connect connecting with all – familiar and new faces. We loved getting to talk with those that came by the booth and those that attended our sessions. Congrats to NPCA for putting together a wonderful conference offering community, lively discussion, and a variety of sessions for all interests. Our members Kate Raftery, Deepa Ramesh, and Jody Olsen share their personal reflections with us below

Kate Raftery felt that NPCA’s Peace Corps Connect Conference always provides a shot of energy. The unique mix of people who were in the room…older, younger, recently served, not so much, is invigorating. The community was younger than at many other RPCV events. The intergenerational interaction was fun to watch and delightful to participate in. There were wonderful encounters with old friends and excited introductions to new friends. Kate cherished the incredible participation of the Women of Peace Corps Legacy Deborah Harding Award session with Justine Sass. Justine and the moderator, Deanna Blackwell, engaged in an insightful, enjoyable, and educational fireside chat that flew by.

 

Deepa Ramesh tells us it was her first NPCA conference. She felt there was great energy, fun intergenerational exchanges, and she loved hearing Justine Sass’s insights and perspectives in the WPCL session. Deepa also enjoyed the opportunity to have deeper, informal engagements with other members of WPCL. Specifically, comparing Malawi notes with Pam and picking Lee’s brain before starting a new position with the Foreign Service Youth Foundation. Deepa deeply appreciates the women she’s gotten to know through WPCL, and her time spent at the NPCA conference underscored that.

For Jody Olsen, the conference gave her renewed energy and enthusiasm. She enjoyed listening to Justine’s advise encouraging us to have courage to test opportunities, even if the opportunity door is only open a crack. To gently nudge ourselves into the room. Justine attributed her preparation for her international career at UNESCO to her Peace Corps English teaching experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Hungary in the 90’s. In Hungary, at that time, she had to overcome students’ and colleagues’ initial mistrust of her being an American, but over time, they became some of her closest friends. Building trust with Hungarians who had been taught for decades to mistrust Americans, become core for her later multi-cultural work. Something we all know well.

As WPCL, we’d like to thank everyone who made the PC Connect successful. And thanks again to NPCA for encouraging active participation from a variety of RPCVs.