On June 19th the Peace Corps held the 2008 Franklin H. Williams Awards to honor returned Peace Corps Volunteers of color who continue the Peace Corps mission through their commitment to community service and who support the agency's Third Goal of promoting a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. Eleven RPCV's who have dedicated their lives to giving back to their communities were recognized at the ceremony.
The Franklin Awards, established in 1999, are named for former Peace Corps regional director for Africa and U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Franklin H. Williams. Williams worked alongside Sargent Shriver to establish the Peace Corps and was the first and highest ranking African American in the agency. He was committed to inclusiveness and envisioned that the Peace Corps would reflect the diversity of America. Williams remained dedicated to international development work and the goals of the Peace Corps long after his time with the agency. Peace Corps director Ron Tschetter stated, "named for Ambassador Franklin H. Williams, this award pays tribute to his legacy. Mr. Williams' service to his country, both foreign and domestic, is a beacon we may all follow throughout our lives."
W. Frank Fountain (India 66-68), the 2008 Peace Corps Director's Award honoree, spoke at the ceremony. Fountain is the senior vice president of external affairs and public policy at Chrysler LLC, and is the highest ranking African-American at the company. He also serves as president of The Chrysler Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports the company's leadership in corporate social responsibility for the U.S. and globally. In his remarks Fountain talked about the importance of an expanded Peace Corps.
The 2008 Franklin H. Williams Award recipients are: Maria Pearson Shockley (Namibia 02-04), George Rutherford (Zaire 88-91), Ella M. Phillips Lacey (Malawi 95-97), D. Jorge Urbina (Cote D'Ivoire 70-72), Ginny A. Lee (Zambia 03-04), Mark H. Lewis (Nicaragua 93-95), Tina Chan Sweenie (Niger 97-99), Gloria Watkins (South Africa 03-06), Linda Fujikawa (76-78), Lillian D. Benjamin (Cote D'Ivoire 2002), and LaHoma Smith Romocki (Central African Republic 80-82).
To read more in depth descriptions of the honorees click here.
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