Winner of 2011 Peace Corps Collection Award–Jane Albritton (India 1967-69)
Yay! As a contributor to this book (and as a current Girl Scout employee) , I would like to congratulate…
The winner of the Peace Corps Collection Award is Jane Albritton (India 1967-69) senior editor of four books of essays by RPCVs
published by Travelers’ Tales/Solas House. The books are:
One Hand Does Not Catch a Buffalo — Volume One, Africa, Edited by Aaron Barlow (Togo 1988-90)
Gather The Fruit One By One — Volume Two, Americas–Edited by Pat Alter (Paraguay 1970-72) and Bernie Alter (India 1967-69)
A Small Key Opens Big Doors — Volume Three, The Heart of Eurasia–Edited by Jay Chen (Kazakhstan 2005-08)
Even The Smallest Crab Has Teeth — Volume Four, Asia & The Pacific, Edited by Jane Albritton (India 1967-69)
Jane Albritton undertook a herculean task: to gather enough Peace Corps personal experience essays to fill a multi-volume anthology. After four years of intense work, she completed the task in 2011 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps’ inception. The four volumes include more than 200 essays that describe the Peace Corps Experience in 88 of the 139 nations served during the past half century.
The founder of a writing and editing firm (as well as a university writing instructor), Jane began her project by posting a call for personal experience essay submissions. She then recruited editors, oversaw editing, negotiated publication, supervised formatting, cover design and finally manages marketing.
Her reason for this project she said was because she came from a family of storytellers. “It was through stories that I learned where I had come from and who I am. We all come to know who we are through the stories, our cultural memory. It seemed to me that stories of Peace Corps service tell us much about ourselves at our best. My fear was that we were already losing those stories.”
Thanks to Jane Albritton that is is no longer possible.
Winners of the Peace Corps Writers Awards receive a certificate and small cash award.
As one of the editors who worked with Jane on this series, I applaud her. Only a few of us know the work, the dedication, and the talent that Jane put into this series.
She deserves this award more than anyone I can imagine.
Congratulations to Jane, the Godmother of Peace Corps stories!
I like the idea of Godmother.
Of course, no good idea comes to fruition without the help of many hands and hearts: tireless editors, generous contributors, an inspired artist, a production genius, and a host of cheerleaders (you know who you are). Thank you, one and all.
Aloha,
Jane
This set of books will be read and cited for many decades.
We are very proud of Grand Aunt LaLa!!
She is really cool!
Third Goal, made real. Jane ‘s work provides a monumental landmark in “bringing it home to America.” These stories will be of lasting value in bringing understanding of other cultures through the work done by Volunteers all over the world. Recognition well deserved.
Jane’s storytelling prowess began during her life as a member of Girl Scout Troop 145. We celebrate her and her monumental achievement.
Jerre Merchant
Yay! As a contributor to this book (and as a current Girl Scout employee) , I would like to congratulate Jane! Fantastic work!