On January 18, 2011, Sargent Shriver died at the grand old age of ninety-five. His passing came half a century—almost to the day—after John F. Kennedy, newly sworn in as thirty-fifth president of the United States, summoned him from Chicago to take the lead in designing and developing the Peace Corps that Kennedy had pledged in his campaign to create. These twinned events, (...)
Article
Practical Idealism
How Sargent Shriver Built the Peace Corps
The remainder of this article is only available to paid subscribers. If you’re not currently a Commonweal subscriber in print or online, an online-only subscription costs just $34 a year. Click here for immediate access.
The Peace Corps doesn't buy warplanes, drones, bombs, machine guns or tanks. It just uses a smile and brains and some American elbow grease to help people to help themselves. It will always be an orphan agency and disrespected by all those patriotic folk who would rather kill and destroy than build and make friends. For $660 billion a year, imagine the schools, hospitals, ports, irrigation systems, and sanitation facilities we could build. Imagine the friends we could make, especially of folk who are now starving and oppressed. The children we could educate, save from dying, encourage to live a full life. But apparently none of those visions will sell on the campaign trail.
Thanks, Jamie, for your continuing commitment to promoting conflict resolution and those who lead in finding a way forward.
Mary
I was a volunteer in Colombia 63-65 and later staff in DC from 66-70, where I was Director of Planning,Programming and Evaluation. While Sarge was still director in 65, I was on the 5th floor where he had his office. Always a big smile, firm handshake and a "welcome aboard" for everyone. Truly a great american and a model idealist. Thanks, Jaime