Perseverance

The 15th Class of Atlas Corps Fellows arrives in less than a week and I wanted to reflect a bit on this milestone and the importance of perseverance.

I am reminded of the story I heard at the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps. A speech given by one of the University of Michigan students who gathered the petition that was delivered to Presidential-candidate Kennedy after his late night speech that led to the creation of the Peace Corps. These students heard the President's call to serve the world and gathered a petition of thousands of students who said that if Kennedy became President they would serve in this idea of a Peace Corps.

It is an inspiring story about how change happens.

The student (now 70+ year old alumnus) quoted Margaret Mead in his speech, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." But then he went on to offer his own brilliant addition.

"We showed the world 50 years ago that a small group of people can change the world, but change is not a moment in time. Change is a process, a struggle, a long-term effort to keep fighting for a better world. Change requires perseverance."

The Peace Corps was 20+ years old by the time I was born, so I was not there for that moment in time, but I am proud of the large group of people who have made Atlas Corps possible and I am proud that we have persevered over the past eight years and welcome 15 classes of Fellows, over 260 leaders from 60 different countries.

If you're in DC on May 7th, come join us to welcome Class 15! http://bit.ly/AtlasCorpsWelcomeClass15