A Million Miles: My Peace Corps Journey

When Jody Olsen enlisted as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia in 1966, she was fleeing familial tragedy and the stifling societal norms of her Salt Lake City upbringing. However, her service in Tunisia upended her religious and cultural beliefs and propelled her into a six-decade career with the Peace Corps, culminating in her directorship of the agency.

Olsen's captivating memoir, A Million Miles, reveals the personal and professional challenges she faced throughout her career, which spanned the Reagan era, 9/11, and the Trump administration. She writes candidly about her struggles as a woman in leadership, as well as personal hardships such as the
sudden death of her brother and her emotionally difficult divorce after her husband's coming out. This memoir is a sharp, vulnerable portrait, a testament to the transformative power of leadership and self-discovery.

Author: Jody Olsen
Publisher: University of Utah Press
Published: 10/21/2024
Pages: 276
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 3.2lbs
Size: 10.70h x 8.20w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781647691974

About the Author
Jody Olsen served as director of the Peace Corps from 2018 to 2021. She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Tunisia (1966-1968) and served the agency in five other senior positions, including as deputy director.