2013 Woman of the Year: Esther Hewlett

 

Awakened to her Life’s Work because of Pearl S. Buck

As a junior in High School, Esther Hewlett got the opportunity to travel to Malaysia as a foreign exchange student.  While she did not know it at the time, the trip would open up her world in ways that far exceeded what life had been like growing up in Geneva, Illinois.  The Asian culture and people resonated so much with her that when she returned to Illinois she read everything about that part of the world that she could.  In her search to become well versed in the subject, she was introduced to the writings of Pearl S. Buck and became an immediate fan.

Ms. Hewlett admired Pearl S. Buck for her ability to “bring together the two worlds” and for her uncommon way of looking at the world. “She is just a fascinating character to me. She was quite visionary for her time. People listened to her, people were reading her books and she had a way of introducing people to another part of the world.” Hewlett remarked.

Esther and Eva in Taiwan in 2012

Forty-five years ago, Esther was finishing up her sophomore year at Stanford studying Chinese. She was familiar with the Pearl S Buck Foundation and decided to write to Pearl S. Buck to see if she could get involved in anyway. Within the month, not only had she exchanged letters with Pearl S Buck and the Foundation staff, she was on a plane to Taipei, charged with the task of conducting a research study to see if there were Amerasian children to support a Pearl S. Buck Foundation office in Taiwan.

She worked alongside Eva Fong, a social worker, and communicated back to the US office that yes, Taiwan could support a Foundation office. After reading the reports on the work Esther did in Taipei, Pearl S. Buck sent Esther two inscribed books at the end of that summer in 1968 and invited her to visit sometime.

The trip proved more than a statistical study for Esther. “Seeing the difficult situations that existed for these Amerasians, I realized that I could be a part of the solution and that was very empowering. It had never occurred to me before.” Esther explained.

Today, Ms. Hewett is recognized for her activism and humanitarianism and credits Pearl S. Buck for the inspiration to do the work she does. “My activism and humanitarianism have been very much influenced by Pearl S. Buck. She awakened me to my life’s work,” Hewlett said. That life’s work includes being a founding donor of the Global Fund for Women which advances the rights of women and girls worldwide by increasing the resources for and investing in women-led organizations and women’s collective leadership for change. In 2002, Esther Hewlett founded Youth Philanthropy Worldwide (YPW), to engage youth in philanthropy and social change at both the local and global level. In 2008, the organization merged with Youth Re:Action Corps and is now known as New Global Citizens. Its mission is to inspire youth to be engaged global citizens with programming to provide students with a global perspective, an opportunity to create change, and the skills needed to thrive in a global knowledge economy.

Esther finds it remarkable that someone that she never got to meet in person has had such an influence on her life for the past 45 years. As Esther reflects on being honored as the 2013 Woman of the Year, her mind goes back to the moment when Pearl S. Buck said yes and took a chance on her and now realizes what a pivotal point it was in her life.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity presented with this award and feel extremely honored to be connected to her in this way.” Hewlett expressed. Esther Hewlett will be honored with the 2013 Woman of the Year Award on Wednesday, November 13 at Pearl S. Buck International in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. More information can be found at www.pearlsbuck.org/woty.

Pamela Carroll

Marketing Director 

Bringing the World Closer

September gave Pearl S. Buck International two great opportunities to bring the world a little closer.  As many people know, Pearl S. Buck grew up in multiple worlds, living the first 40 years of her life in China, and the second 40 years of her life in Bucks County, PA, so much so that she titled her autobiography, My Several Worlds. Many remember her as the bridge to the East and the West, and Pearl S. Buck International continues that legacy today by building a global community through international adoption, child sponsorship, multicultural programming and the preservation of the Pearl S. Buck House.




Pearl S. Buck International building bridges for a global community

Last month, Pearl S. Buck International hosted a Global Conference on the grounds of the national historic landmark Pearl S. Buck House. The week-long conference is held every other year for the executive directors, staff and board members of our overseas affiliates and partners in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, The Philippines, and Vietnam to foster the exchange of ideas, best practices and thought leadership. This was a particularly exciting year, because it was the first year the Global Conference was held in the United States.

In the end, while much information and educational material was imparted, the best outcome of the conference was the blending of cultures and mutual appreciation for the work accomplished to continue the legacy of Pearl S. Buck both in the East and West.

 

While our overseas affiliates see firsthand how sponsored children benefit from the programs in their countries, their attendance at a Living the Legacy fundraising breakfast on September 20^th enabled them to experience the mission and legacy on a whole new level.
 

As guests at the breakfast, they listened to compelling stories from adults, once sponsored children, who gave testament to the power of a $25 monthly donation from Sponsors. Their stories were not only about the individual lives that changed as a result of a Sponsor caring enough to help them receive an education, they told about the life they are leading now as parents, physicians, Army Staff Sergeants, executives and other business professions. 
 

Many lives and many spirits convene each day on the grounds of the home that Pearl S. Buck lived in for 40 years, but it was never more apparent than through this unity of spirit during one incredible week where cultures merged.  Pearl S. Buck reflected on the same sentiment in her autobiography when she said, “Our contribution to the solutions to the world’s problems will come only from the working of the American spirit.” The American spirit was abounding as our affiliates from abroad met with many Sponsors who attended the breakfast. Everyone left the breakfast and our country knowing that child Sponsors continue to be part of the solution in changing lives. Visit www.pearlsbuck.org/sponsor to meet the children who hope for an opportunity to receive an education through the generosity of the spirit of a Child Sponsor.  

Pam Carroll

Marketing Director