Marilyn Shaw returns from Peace Corps service

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Senior returns from Peace Corps
by Eric Michael Stitt Serving overseas has become a way of life for resi-
dent Marilyn Shaw. Feeling a little uncertain about
various cultural situations is common for her, so when
she retired after decades of working in the Foreign
Services, sitting in her Hermosa Beach condo for a
couple of years didn't seem all that comfortable.
Therefore, the 75-year-old joined the Peace Corps
and was dropped into the small, eastern European
country of Moldova. Shaw's two years of service was
cut short when she slipped on ice and broke her arm,
but she has no regrets. She spent almost a year helping
one of Eastern Europe's poorest countries. Moldova
gained independence from the Soviet Union 19 years
ago. She's also become a local inspiration to those
who know the woman who volunteers with Hermosa
Beach's Garden Club, Woman's Club and Friends of
the Library.
During her career as an executive assistant for Am-
bassadors in the Foreign Services, Shaw fell in love
with the adventure of living in foreign countries. Viet-
nam, Egypt, Israel, the Bahamas and the Czech Re-
public are just a few places she called home before
retiring at 69. So when she saw a Peace Corps adver-
tisement seeking senior citizens, she jumped at the op-
portunity to return abroad
"I'm sort of a restless soul," Shaw said. "I'm al-
ways looking for something to do."
The Southern California-born Shaw quickly sub-
mitted her application to the Peace Corps, and began a
string of interviews and tests that would last more than
a year. Fortunately for her, the corps saw a wealth of
experience and knowledge about foreign services in
Shaw and decided to send her to Moldova where some
of her duties would require her to work on computers
in a nongovernmental office that was established to
fight the trafficking of women from Moldova.
"I was so excited," Shaw said. "I feel as Americans
it's something we should do. Give back for something.
Give something to charity."
Once she arrived in Moldova, Shaw settled in with
a host family that lived in very poor conditions. She
said they didn't even have a restroom, so she shared a
wooden outhouse that was used by most of the village.
She also said living with a family and not speaking
their language was quite a challenge, but she learned
Romanian from a tutor and quickly adapted.
The country is very poor, she said, so there is
plenty of need for help from other countries. For ex-
ample, schoolteachers make $100 a month, she said.
Shaw said she felt blessed every day knowing the type
of life she has back in Hermosa Beach compared with
what she saw on a daily basis.
"We're so lucky, we live in the U.S.," Shaw said.
"We have so much to be thankful for. I feel very
blessed."
Marilyn Shaw shows off her Moldovan attire. (photo courtesy of Shaw) (Please turn to next page)

Source scan page 69

City Council wrap
(Continued from previous page)
previously known as the Dragon, has re-
vamped its image to rid itself of a previ-
ous atmosphere that led to a reduction in
hours and entertainment because of over-
serving and overcrowding.
Senior returns from Peace Corps
(Continued from previous page)
Shaw spent a majority of her time trav- with Shaw's approach to serving in other
eling two hours to the nearest computer, countries that she joined the Peace Corps
but during the winter she slipped on a and was recently in Nepal. Erin Shaw was
patch of ice and broke her wrist. Unable to out of the country and unavailable for
type, which was the majority of her duties, comment.
Shaw began to feel ineffective. Even Jan Brittain, who is a fellow member of
though she was asked to stay, she decided the Women's Club and Garden Club with
it was best to return home. Because of the Shaw, said she is a very "positive" influ-
difference in quality health care, her doctor ence to seniors because Shaw proves that
had to reset her broken wrist, too, upon ar- age doesn't have to define who you are and
riving back to the United States, so she what you're capable of
feels the right decision was made. "She lives a very active and productive
Her son, Jim Shaw, who lives in Man- life. I admire her," Brittain said.
hattan Beach, was glad to see her home Jim Shaw said everyone should look at
earlier, He admits he was a little worried his mother when they're apprehensive
about his 75-year-old mother serving in the about going against what's expected of
Peace Corps. them and say, "If she can do it, I can do it
"I was a bit concerned. She's not in her as well."
20s anymore," he said. "But it didn't sur- Shaw said now that she's back from
prise me. She gets impatient sitting in one Moldova and her wrist is healing well,
place." she's already toying with the thought of
He said it's extremely inspiring to see going overseas with the Peace Corps again
his mother helping less fortunate people at next year, which should be no surprise to
her age, which he tells her is very unique. her son.
"It's incredibly inspiring and amazing. "She's something else ... she loves life,
I'm in my 40s and there's no way I could she loves adventures and she loves meeting
do what she's doing. It blows me away." new people," he said. "I'm very proud of
Her daughter, Erin, was so fascinated her."