by Lilly Lombard 

In our February Open Doors newsletter, I only hastily introduced myself as the newest US Servas Peace Secretary, preferring to shift the spotlight to the courageous acts of peace-and-justice building that were happening daily in Minneapolis this winter, as recounted by dear friend and member of Servas, Maria Kaefer. Permit me, then, to back up, share a bit about myself, and describe my approach as Peace Secretary. 

I am a Gen Xer raised in suburban Washington, DC, child of depression-era, first-gen Americans who adored books, marched on Washington, served on their local Human Rights commission during the Jim Crow era, protested the Vietnam War, and squeezed pennies to raise 8 kids on a single librarian income. Their blackbelt frugality shifted discretionary family funds from middle class luxuries to charity–it felt more important to them to help feed, shelter, and give political voice to the poor, than to eat out or send their kids to summer camp. They were exceptional, humble role models, and primed me for a college experience dominated by work as volunteer coordinator of a women’s shelter; and non-violent civil disobedience against apartheid South Africa. This was followed by years as a volunteer teacher in a “homeland” school in pre-democratic South Africa.  

I joined Servas in 1999 while working in the field of women’s reproductive health and rights; my first Servas experience was hosting an Indian family biking around the world to promote world peace–an exceptional adventure recounted in this short video. 

Prompted by 9/11, my husband John and I (and then 8-month-old daughter) traveled north to visit Servas families throughout New England as we searched for a new, more woodsy and progressive community in which to settle. Of the four Servas families who welcomed us, one provided an employment lead for John; the other tipped us off to a house their friend was selling. Both of these leads proved fruitful, and within 7 months, we were housed and employed in lovely Northampton, MA, where, over the course of 24 years, we raised our children, welcomed dozens of Servas travelers, and became deeply rooted. I founded and directed Grow Food Northampton, and became especially active in environmental and climate protection, both on the ground as an arborist, and at the state-level as a political organizer.  

I accepted a leadership role within Servas foremost because my family and I have been personally touched, improved, even transformed by our Servas friendships, and I felt eager, at this time of political and environmental crisis, to help US Servas attract a hopeful new generation of hosts and travelers. Second, I accepted the role of Peace Secretary not because I’m any sort of expert on peace-building, but because I know there to be thousands of entry points into peace-building; I love collaborations; and I’m fascinated to learn about and support fellow Servas members already advancing peace.  

We are now building a Peace Team in US Servas to grow collaborations. Our first collaborative project which took place virtually in late May, connected Afghan teen girls–consigned to house arrest and denied education under the oppressive Taliban. These young women receive online tutoring through the all-volunteer Afghan Tutoring Network – with Servas members from five countries–Taiwan, France, Germany, Portugal, and the US. These girls— suffer years of gender apartheid and violence, and yet refuse to cower, to stop learning or problem-solving, poetry-writing or joking, and above all maintain their dignity and faith-- brought us all to tears, modeling defiant joy, shrewdness, and utter resilience.  At the end of the 1.5-hour meet-up, every Servas participant eagerly volunteered for ongoing relationship-building with these young, bright individuals.  

Perhaps you wish to join this collaboration? Perhaps you have a peace-building project in mind that together, we could amplify? If so, we welcome you to join our Peace Team! Email the Team at PeaceAndJustice@usservas.org. 

Finally, a Save-the-Date: Monday September 21, 2026, is International Peace Day. Our Peace Team is organizing a social/educational event in New York City that evening. All are welcome, including curious non-Servas members. Stay tuned for details!