When Peace Corps was first proposed, some in Congress assumed that only men would be volunteers.

When Peace Corps was first proposed, some in Congress assumed that only men would be volunteers.

Never far from my thoughts are memories of being a little girl in Queens, N.Y., our family of five crowded in a small one-bedroom apartment, struggling to learn English and survive a new life in a new country, America. We humbly and gratefully still recall the kindnesses shown by strangers and neighbors who became new friends.