Jackie Spurlock
(Abadeh, Riz 1974-76)
Jackie Spurlock served in Peace Corps Iran from 1974-76 where she taught English in Iranian public schools. After Peace Corps, she and husband Mike remained in Iran, where Jackie was a librarian at the University of Isfahan, returning home in 1978. Jackie has returned to Iran three times since Peace Corps, in 2006, 2008, and 2019. These trips were life changing, and she returned with a sense of urgency about countering the negative images of Iran in the press and media with a more informed and nuanced picture. She helped organize the first reunion of Iran Peace Corps volunteers in over 25 years, held in Portland in 2011. From this event grew the Peace Corps Iran Association, formed in 2012, of which Jackie was the first president. Jackie is passionate about improving understanding of Iranians on the part of Americans, defusing fear, educating, informing, and peacebuilding. She lives in Portland, Oregon and recently retired from her position as manager of the public library in Vancouver, WA.