Brian H Appleton (contributing journalist)
In the face of ever-worsening relations between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, a group of Americans, most of whom lived in Iran as Peace Corps volunteers, is working hard to shape a new narrative. They are members of the Peace Corps Iran Association (PCIA), an organization of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Iran between 1962 and 1976. During the 14 years Peace Corps was in Iran 1,748 Americans were volunteers as well as 365 American and Iranian staff that supported them. Buoyed by the enormous success of a conference-reunion of Iran volunteers in Portland, Oregon in 2011, PCIA became incorporated in the State of Oregon in 2012. The conference was the brainchild of Portland’s Jackie Spurlock who, along with her husband Mike, served in Iran from 1974-76. Jackie served as PCIA’s first president. Today, PCIA has over 500 members and an additional 250 people who receive the newsletter. Over 1500 of the former Iran volunteers have been located and counting.
PCIA advocates for peaceful relations with Iran, starting with the initiative and foresight of individual citizens. In keeping with the vision outlined by President Kennedy in 1961 to “bring the world home,” they believe their experiences and appreciation of Iran will make a positive contribution to the ongoing debates about U.S. policy regarding Iran and promote a deeper understanding of this important ancient and contemporary culture. This is their way of interpreting the Third Goal of Peace Corps to “help Americans understand the people and cultures of other countries.”
PCIA advocates for better understanding of Iran on the part of Americans by documenting and sharing the legacy of Peace Corps in Iran. The organization’s biennial conferences, open to the public, blend these two focuses into two-day events that inform and spark engagement on current political issues, the legacy and history of Peace Corps Iran, Persian culture and art, and contributions and concerns of the Iranian diaspora. Having developed personal relationships with the Iranian people, volunteers respect the cultural heritage and traditions of the country. The association’s presence has resulted in the reunion of countless volunteers with former Iranian friends and coworkers.
Those who served in the Peace Corps in Iran uniformly express how the experience changed their lives. Once again, they are called upon to help, by sharing what they know of Iran and its people and by promoting peace and diplomacy as the way forward in relations between the two countries. On January 8, 2020, they released a statement in that effort:
“As a National Peace Corps Association affiliate representing one of the few Peace Corps countries to have been attacked by the United States, Peace Corps Iran Association deplores violence as a means of resolving international conflict and strongly encourages the pursuit of peaceful, diplomatic solutions with Iran. Based on the experiences of members who have traveled to Iran recently and from our knowledge of Iran’s culture and history of coexistence with other countries, the Iran Peace Corps community wishes to convey to all Americans a message of goodwill and friendship from the Iranian people. We believe the current escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran to be unnecessary and counterproductive. We encourage all Americans to ask their Congressional leaders to let sober minds and diplomacy prevail, and to exercise their rightful role in decisions of war and peace for our country.”
On a continuing basis, through its Advocacy Committee, the association promotes peace and understanding through education, outreach, and cultural diplomacy. This work includes a monthly Advocacy Bulletin, outreach to elected officials, and a unique project called Our Man in Tehran, using the PBS Television special of this name to promote community discussions around the U.S., with Iran RPCVs as facilitators.
In addition to advocacy, preserving Peace Corps Iran’s legacy is a priority, and the association is actively searching for all former volunteers. RPCV Genna Stead Wangsness, PCIA’s historian, is researching and writing the history based on available documents and volunteer memories. Anthology editor, RPCV John Krauskopf, is compiling stories by volunteers about their experiences in Iran. A list of published works by RPCVs who have written about their service in Iran is available on the association website. To help preserve the history of the Peace Corps in Iran, PCIA is gathering photos and documents, with the association welcoming additional contributions. Contact doug@peacecorpsiran.org for more information on how to submit photos and documents.
Association membership is open to and free of charge to all who are interested in PCIA’s mission and work. To become a member, complete and mail in the application available on PCIA’s website, www.peacecorpsiran.org. Because they don’t charge dues, donations are always welcome. Membership includes a subscription to the association’s newsletter, KhabarNameh, published electronically three times yearly, the Advocacy Bulletin, containing information relating to Iran-U.S. relations, and the monthly board newsletter, From the Field, with information on current PCIA events. Members have access to PCIA’s closed Facebook group and their book discussion group, Dooreh-ye Ketaab.
This past year the PCIA won the Loret Ruppe Award for Outstanding Community Service from the National Peace Corps Association. Information on the award details is on their website.
Jackie Spurlock was founder and first president of PCIA and she went with Code Pink on a tour of Iran recently. This is a nice street shot of her in Esfahan.