Page 16
PAU3A!
In the beginning…a retrospective
By: Katrina Meredith, MAK 10
Kennedy team and Sargent Shriver embodied all of the ebullience and enthusiasm that characterized that team. As a
leader he encouraged and accepted all
people's ideas and believed that anyone
and everyone might have a great idea.
Linda: And he had a great sense of humor! Some of the staff meetings were a
little nuts!
I had the opportunity to interview Phil and
Linda Hardberger when they came to Macedonia to visit recently. Phil was on the
Peace Corps staff from 1961-1967, first as a
writer and publicist, then head of public information, and finally as Executive. Linda
served as a summer intern in 1962 and
1963 before going to work for EEOC (what
does this stand for?). Phil is a former Chief
Justice of the Texas Civil Court of Appeals
and currently Mayor of San Antonio, Texas.
Linda is on the Board of the Tobin Foundation and co-authoring a book on theater arts.
KM: Over the years that we've know each
other, you've shared a lot of stories about
your experiences in the early days of the
Peace Corps and the people who were there
at its creation, especially Sargent Shriver.
Those were exciting and hopeful times; what
was it like to be part of the staff then?
Phil: I actually tried to sign up to be a volunteer, but because of my background in journalism they asked me to be part of the staff
that Sarge was pulling together. Being part
of that process was the most exciting time of
my life, and I've done some pretty adventurous things since then!
We were experiencing a time of infinite possibilities with no knowledge of the possibility
of defeat or failure. We were part of the
Phil: His leadership style was a huge
influence on me. Today, as Mayor, I am
still using his administrative techniques,
because they work!
KM: How else did your Peace Corps experiences affect your life and accomplishments?
Phil: Every day was a seminal experience. We learned that all people are
alike in the essentials and all have potential for greatness; it’s a matter of opportunities. That's what Peace Corps volunteers give to the host countries they
serve in, opportunities. I visited many
sites and evaluated a number of projects
and I believe that in fact most volunteers
get as much or more than they give, from
their experience. These lessons have
guided my life and are the basis for my
continued commitment to public service.