Interview with Nancy Deeds Meister, August 25, 2021

Interview Summary

Nancy Deeds Meister served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru, in 1964 and 1965, in the Community Development Program. Living in Colombia from age 10 introduced her to other cultures. Inspired by John F. Kennedy, she applied to Peace Corps after graduating from Cornell University. Training conducted at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, included Quechua language. Nancy and her future husband, Joel Meister, were assigned to the city of Chimbote. She lived in the barriada (neighborhood) San Ysidro. Her projects included promoting water and sewer infrastructure, setting up a school meal program, and working with the youth organization Club Olimpo to develop a youth camp. Nancy recounts her experience meeting Alejandro Toledo, who arranged for her to rent a room in his parents’ home, and introduced her to organizations she could work with. With the help of Nancy and her husband, Alejandro attended University in the U.S., and eventually became President of Peru. Her Peace Corps experience led Nancy to a career in social work. She continues to serve others through work with immigrants and asylum seekers.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S.) Peru (country of service) Peru Colombia 1964-1965 (date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Community Development Peace Corps (U.S.)--1960-1970 Spanish (language) Quechua (language) Cornell University University of Wisconsin Chimbote barriada San Ysidro Club Olimpo Alejandro Toledo Junta Nacional de la Vivienda

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