Interview with Mary Ann Tonnies Girard, September 22, 2020

Interview Summary

Mary Ann “M.A.” Tonnies Girard served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji, in 1974 and 1975, in the Education Program. She was encouraged to join by her brother, who also served in Fiji. M.A. turned down invitations to Jamaica and the Philippines before accepting her Fiji assignment. Fijian language and culture training was conducted in Suva, with village homestays on outlying islands. Teacher training was not provided, but the culture training helped prepare her for the different treatment of men and women in villages. She was assigned to Tubou village on the island of Lakeba, the home of Fiji’s Prime Minister. M.A. taught English and English literature to forms 7 and 8 at Ratu Finau Jr. Secondary School. During her stay there, her house was destroyed by a hurricane, and she experienced many other difficulties. The interview discusses experiences in training, life and work in her village, and treatment of women in Fijian culture.

Interview Keyword

Fiji (Country of service) 1974-1975 (Date of service) Peace Corps (U.S.)--1970-1980 Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Fijian (Language) Women in Peace Corps Suva (Training site) Lakeba, Fiji Tubou village (Assignment site) Ratu Finau Jr. Secondary School (Assignment site) Sexual assault Early close of service Gender roles

Interview LC Subject

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peace Corps (U.S.)--Fiji. Fiji Acculturation Communication and culture Culture Culture shock Cyclone damage Food habits Food security Intercultural communication International travel Interpersonal communication and culture Interpersonal relations Interpersonal relations and culture Language and culture Language and languages Lifestyles Manners and customs Mental health Misogyny Natural disasters Schools Sexism Social norms Teachers Teaching Voluntarism Volunteer workers in education Volunteers Suva (Fiji) Lakeba (Fiji)

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Interview Usage

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