Beyond Borders: Women of the Peace Corps
“We need […] to mobilize all women to establish a new and peaceful world for the 21st Century. It can be done. Young, intelligent, hard-working politicians can do it.”
Sargent Shriver | Potomac, MD | May 5, 1998
The letter arrived in a thin, white envelope—just a few sheets of paper that would change everything. It carried an invitation, a challenge, and the promise of a journey. For decades, women have answered this call, leaving behind the familiar to step into the unknown, carrying only a willingness to serve and the strength to adapt.
From the small, isolated islands off the coast of East Africa to the dense rainforests of South America, from the remote islands of the Pacific to the bustling cities of Eastern Europe, women in the Peace Corps have shaped and been shaped by the communities they serve. They have taught in classrooms without walls, built projects with resources that fit in their pockets, and navigated cultural landscapes with patience and humility. They have faced challenges that test their resilience—moments of isolation, unexpected dangers, and the weight of expectations from home and abroad. But they have also experienced triumphs: the first student who learns to read, the community project that thrives long after their departure, and the lifelong friendships that transcend borders.
This is the story of the women who choose service over certainty, redefine what it means to lead, and carry the spirit of the Peace Corps beyond their two years. Their journeys are not always easy, but they are always transformative.
And it all begins with a single decision—to go.
Rosemary Takacs – Paraguay 1988-1990, PCV & Guatemala 2015-2016, Response
Both my PCV and Response services were in the community economic development sector. In Paraguay, I organized agricultural cooperatives. After retirement, I returned to the Peace Corps as a Response volunteer. In Guatemala, I worked with goats (and their human counterparts) to improve nutrition and household income.
Potable water appeared to be the significant “quality of life” determinant in South and Central America. As a Rotarian, I became a WASH Ambassador for NE Florida’s Rotary District, promoting water, sanitation, and hygiene projects and regularly returning to Central America to assess and assist with WASH projects. I serve as Board President for Partnering for Peace, the alliance between Peace Corps and Rotary. I am looking for opportunities for Rotary and Peace Corps to work together.
Kathryn Pongonis – Ecuador 1992-1994
The Peace Corps taught me the importance of cross-cultural communication, how to listen to community members who identified their needs, and how to “lead by doing.” As an agricultural extension volunteer in the highlands of Ecuador from 1992 to 1994, I worked with subsistence farmers on agro-forestry and other soil conservation practices, created a demonstration garden incorporating composting and worm farming as organic fertilizers, and taught environmental education to primary school students. One of my proudest accomplishments is instilling in hard-working farming families the importance of onward education for their children. Many “children” in my village have since gone on to high school and college, leading to successful careers.
Marikaa Stephenson – Mongolia 2011-2013
My Peace Corps experience in Mongolia was transformative and impactful, shaping my career and reinforcing my dedication to community development. In Bagakhangai, I taught English and actively participated in community development. We raised funds with local partners to create an English Language Learning Center. This experience deepened my appreciation for cross-cultural collaboration, education’s significance, and grassroots efforts’ power in driving meaningful change. The connections, skills, and relationships I built inspire my ongoing work in the Peace Corps and beyond.
Bridget Rose (Gorman) Davis – Thailand 1991-1993
I taught English as a foreign language and coached a Little League baseball team with the girls and boys from my school near the Cambodian border. My parents instilled in me the importance of service and inclusion. Peace Corps taught me how to be resilient and a creative problem solver. I have carried those values and experiences throughout my life and now pass them on to my children to continue a family legacy of always striving for Peace.
Gretchen Upholt – Ukraine 2008 – 2010
I served as a Community Development Volunteer in northern Ukraine. I worked with several local nonprofit and municipal organizations to help design projects, develop budgets, and write grants. I fell in love with capacity building, and today, as a Managing Director with BDO’s Nonprofit & Grantmaker Advisory team, my whole job is capacity building. I spend all day training, coaching, and consulting nonprofit leaders to help build financially resilient organizations to continue the great work our world needs! I’m so grateful my Peace Corps experience helped me realize this passion!
Kate Raftery – Paraguay 1973-1975
Although I might not look that happy in this photo, I was excitedly and nervously leaving for the most transformative experience of my life. The gifts that the Peace Corps provided me began with this group. For over 50 years, we have grown together, supporting each other through life’s struggles, challenges, and joys.
At the site, I was surrounded by my Paraguayan family and friends. Everyone was patient and kind as they tried desperately to understand my Spanish and cultural faux pas. I am sure there were lively conversations and laughter in homes each evening about what Kate had said or done that day.
Peace Corps service led me into a life defined by service. I have worked with many Peace Corps Volunteers, staff, host families, and community counterparts; each is a generous teacher, resource, and friend. Peace Corps service taught me that each person put me on my path for a reason, and I need to learn all I can from them and share all I have to offer.
Carla Brown – Comoro Islands 1992-1994
When I joined the Peace Corps, I was excited about connecting with my cultural heritage. I was in the Motherland, the home of my ancestors. I had no idea there were many ethnic groups, each with a rich culture. The beautiful landscape, the incredible sunsets, and the white sandy beaches blew me away. I also never thought I would have the opportunity to climb an active volcano.
One unexpected outcome was that I experienced what it was like to be ‘the first’ because I was the first African American many Comorians had ever seen. Instead of blending in, I was a curiosity. I was a black American, people who were only seen in the movies.
After two years of teaching English and enjoying the simplicity of island life, I returned to New York, where I soon realized I had a new appreciation for the value of human connection.