Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Karen A. Thornton can be contacted at GAmountainwatersawmconnectdcom
Country of Service: India
Training Group: 28
Cities you served in: Vetapalem, Andhra Pradesh
Arrival Year: 1966
Departure Year: 1968
Work Description:
Nurse-Nutritionist in Block Clinic and traveling into surrounding neighborhoods.
Bring us up to date on your life after the peace corps:
Hired to work in the Model Cities endeavor in Atlanta based on PC experience. Graduate school and a M.S.W. degree from Tulane. Back to Atlanta and worked in a Family Service Agency then to Houston, Texas as a private psychotherapist. Back to Atlanta one more time and was eventually the Dir. of Social Work at a state psychiatric hospital for 15 yrs. Tired of supervision and moved back into the community and now am a Consumer Rights and Ethics/Compliance Investigator with a public agency. Still having to march and advocate for Women and Human Rights as well as for Lesbian and Bay Rights. Own the house, a dog and 4 cats with my partner of nearly 15 yrs.
Any thoughts you have now looking back on peace corps days?:
Always a part of me. The Telugu alphabet hangs in my office. Keeps me in touch with the cultural diversity of our lives and those we touch. I don't remember it romantically - but with realism and what it taught me about reaching into myself rather than depending upon the luxuries to support me.
Anyone you are looking for or would like to hear from?:
It was fun looking through all of the names and group numbers. India 28 was a special group of folks.
Any message for returned volunteers?:
Use the good and tough memories as guides for your future.
Originally posted: February 26, 2004
