Member Spotlight: Lorraine Toly

This month’s Member Spotlight features Lorraine Toly, one of our newest board members (since April 2020) and an active member of the Latin America Pod.

What do you appreciate most about being a Pangea member?  

I have always been interested in other cultures and languages, and Pangea is a way to deepen that interest beyond tourism and academic study, because of the knowledge, dedication, and contacts of other Pangea members and the inspiring partners we have.  Also, I believe we Americans should be more engaged with the rest of the world, and Pangea is a way to be so, in a direct way.

How did you first hear about Pangea?

I read about Pangea in an article in a Seattle Foundation publication in 2017.  It sounded interesting, with its personal approach to giving internationally, and so I made contact.  Betsy Hale, who at that time was President of the Board, came to West Seattle to brief me on the organization.  That she would make such an effort to reach out impressed me.  Since then, I continue to be impressed by the people in Pangea, both Stateside members and our partners overseas.

How have you participated in Pangea as a member?

I decided to focus on the LA Pod.  Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, I have yet to participate in a site visit, but I did join the Board as well.  I am still learning about Pangea and how it functions, and the other Board members are patient with my questions!

What is something other Pangea members may like to know about you?

Growing up, I was always interested in languages and studied both Spanish and French.   In college and shortly after, I volunteered in Tijuana, Mexico; worked with immigrants from the Dominican Republic in New York City; and studied French in Paris.  Eventually, I joined the Foreign Service, our diplomatic corps.  They decided to send me to Kolkata, India, for my first assignment.   Later, they gave me postings in both Japan and China, along with assignments in Washington, DC.  I never used my French or Spanish in the Foreign Service!  Since retiring, I have tried to make up for that lapse by travelling in Latin America and teaching English as a Second Language, often to Hispanic immigrants.