My Inspirations: Peace Corps Volunteers of Age

 

Adelita to the rescue. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Source: Museum of the Mexican Revolution. February 2017.

Youthful fancies

Since adolescence, one of my dreams has been to serve in the Peace Corps (or similar). When I was young, it combined all of my fairy-tale fantasies (not kidding):

To be a princess-heroine who travels the world incognito, overcomes tremendous challenges, saves tragic souls in dire circumstances, and who reaps acclaim for her bravery, good deeds, and wisdom. And a prince.

Indeed, in my youth, my fantastical mindset probably epitomized the cliché of a white savior, except for the white part, as my hubris was not focused on the unsolicited salvation of people with a particular complexion or geographic origin. I rescued my exclusively white suburban classmates numerous times from kidnap (a favorite theme) in my imagination. In that fantasy world, I also traveled back in time, where-when I drew upon my modern-day knowledge of stuff to save the day for imaginary damsels and swains in distress. 

Now being older

Eventually, I right-sized my fantasies of heroic derrings-do, but the dream of serving in the Peace Corps or something similar, remains. 

Role models for me to consider

1. The first was President Jimmy Carter's mother, Lillian Carter, who joined the Peace Corps when she was 68. Learning this back in the 70s planted a seed: That the Peace Corps welcomes older volunteers.
2. Peace Corps page for prospective volunteers over 50: Volunteering and Retirement
3. In Blue Ridge Now: Joining the Peace Corps After 60
4. A series on Not Exactly Retired: Older Peace Corps Volunteers
5. From a 2016 NPR piece on an 87 year-old volunteer: Peace Corps Volunteer Values Staying Active in Old Age