2009.11.03: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lauds Muriel Johnston, at 85 the oldest Peace Corps volunteer
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2009.11.03: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lauds Muriel Johnston, at 85 the oldest Peace Corps volunteer
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lauds Muriel Johnston, at 85 the oldest Peace Corps volunteer
"My young staff said, 'Oh my goodness, Muriel Johnston, she's the oldest Peace Corps volunteer in the world.' I said, 'That's not the way we think about it.' No, Muriel and I might say she is one of the best Peace Corps volunteers in the world," Clinton said to more applause, emphasizing "best."
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lauds Muriel Johnston, at 85 the oldest Peace Corps volunteer
Clinton lauds oldest Peace Corps volunteer, an 85-year-old
Caption: Muriel Johnston, left, meets Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Morocco. Photo: Charley Keyes, CNN
(CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday praised as "one of the best" the oldest Peace Corps volunteer in the world, an 85-year old Florida woman serving in Morocco.
Clinton recognized Muriel Johnston during a meet-and-greet session of U.S. Embassy officials and other Americans in Marrakech, Morocco. Clinton was representing the U.S. at an international conference in Morocco, during a trip that stretched from Pakistan to the Middle East.
"I have to recognize -- I just learned about this last night -- Muriel Johnston. Muriel? Stand up, Muriel," Clinton said to applause and cheers from Johnston's fellow Peace Corps workers and other Americans.
"My young staff said, 'Oh my goodness, Muriel Johnston, she's the oldest Peace Corps volunteer in the world.' I said, 'That's not the way we think about it.' No, Muriel and I might say she is one of the best Peace Corps volunteers in the world," Clinton said to more applause, emphasizing "best."
"And it's also a great reminder that in America in the 21st century, there are not only second acts, there's third acts and fourth acts and fifth acts and -- if you're ready to embrace new challenges," Clinton said.
Later, Clinton shook hands with Johnston and asked if she was enjoying herself.
"I'm having a wonderful time, " Johnston told the secretary.
Johnston is serving as a health worker in the Moroccan province of Azilal. She hails from New York but has lived in Sebastian, Florida, since 1992. Peace Corps headquarters in Washington confirmed that she is the oldest Peace Corps volunteer currently serving.
She is one of more than 7,600 Peace Corps volunteers at work in 75 countries.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Headlines: November, 2009; Peace Corps Morocco; Directory of Morocco RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Morocco RPCVs; Older Volunteers
When this story was posted in November 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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| Memo to Incoming Director Williams PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams |
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Story Source: CNN
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Morocco; Older Volunteers
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