Our history is based on a shared vision of working with, living alongside, and celebrating cultures around the world. RPCV/W continues in its bold mission by collaborating with DC-area communities on locally prioritized projects.
The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. (RPCV/W) has evolved into a vibrant community dedicated to fostering connections among former Peace Corps volunteers and supporting the organization’s mission.
Origins and Formation
In the winter of 1978, three Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) from Latin America sought to establish a regional network in the Washington, D.C. area. They contacted Peace Corps Headquarters to obtain a list of local RPCVs. This initiative led to a gathering in July 1979, where 110 RPCVs convened at the Tyber Island apartments to form the ACTION Alumni Association of Greater Washington D.C. (AAAGWA). Prior to this, RPCVs had begun organizing themselves based on their regions of service, such as Latin America, Africa, North Africa, and Asia. Among these, the African Agenda group was the largest, with 70 members attending the inaugural meeting. Many early leaders of AAAGWA/RPCV/W emerged from this group. In 1982, AAAGWA was renamed the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington D.C.
Advocacy and Milestones
In its formative years, RPCV/W played a pivotal role in organizing and participating in the 20th and 25th Peace Corps anniversaries, events that energized and unified the RPCV community. Following the 25th Anniversary, numerous regional and country-specific groups were established. During the early 1980s, the organization’s president testified before Congress regarding the Peace Corps’ FY 1982 budget. RPCV/W proposed five changes to the Peace Corps, three of which were subsequently enacted into law. In 1985, the annual membership fee was increased from $3.50 to $15, a rate that remains unchanged.
Community Engagement and Growth
Throughout the 1990s, RPCV/W continued to expand its influence. In 1991, it helped organize the 30th Anniversary of the Peace Corps and later the 35th Anniversary in 1996, where Madeleine Albright served as the keynote speaker. In January 1993, RPCV/W members marched in President Clinton’s first Inaugural Parade. The organization also initiated monthly Speaker Series events, offering members exclusive tours of institutions like the Botanical Gardens, the Smithsonian Museum, and the National Archives. Additionally, RPCV/W actively raised funds for Peace Corps Partnership Programs and supported general recruitment efforts.
Recent Activities
In anticipation of the 40th Anniversary in 2001, RPCV/W organized a weekend-long celebration, with newly elected Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo slated as the keynote speaker. However, the events of September 11 led to the postponement of the celebration. The “40+1” Anniversary was subsequently held in June 2002 over two days. In the following decade, RPCV/W marched in President Obama’s first Inaugural Parade in January 2009 and celebrated a successful 50th Anniversary in 2011.
Since 2011, the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, D.C. (RPCV/W) has significantly expanded its programming to foster community engagement, professional development, and cultural exchange among its members. The organization’s events have evolved to include a diverse array of activities that reflect the interests and needs of the RPCV community. Today, RPCV/W remains a cornerstone for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in the Washington, D.C. area, fostering community, advocacy, and continued service.
