In a significant acknowledgment of a life dedicated to the education and welfare of Tibetan children in exile, Jetsun Pema, the younger sister of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, will be honored with Randolph College’s esteemed Pearl S. Buck Award. The award is given to women exemplifying the ideals and commitments of Pearl S. Buck, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, who graduated from Randolph College in 1914.
Jetsun Pema has dedicated her life to educating and nurturing orphaned, destitute, and refugee children, earning her the title of the “Mother of Tibet”. From 1964 to 2006, she served as the president of the Tibetan Children’s Villages (TCV), a role she assumed after a directive from her brother, the Dalai Lama. Under her guidance, TCV has grown into one of the most successful Tibetan institutions in exile.
The Pearl S. Buck Award recognizes individuals who mirror Buck’s dedication to children and education, particularly in the context of China. Randolph College President, Sue Ott Rowlands, expressed her deep admiration for Pema’s contributions, stating, “We are so honored to award Jetsun Pema with the Pearl S. Buck Award this year for her advocacy and support of the Tibetan children.” President Rowlands emphasized the alignment of Pema’s tireless efforts with Buck’s passion for education and children’s rights.
Jetsun Pema, born in Lhasa, Tibet in 1940, began her formal education at St. Joseph’s Convent in Kalimpong at the age of nine. She continued her studies in Switzerland and England, returning to India in 1964 to lead the TCV after the sudden demise of her elder sister. Fondly known as “Amala” or Respected Mother, Pema has not only nurtured and educated thousands of children but also held significant roles in various Tibetan organizations, including being the first woman elected as a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Her impact extends beyond the TCV, as she has been an influential figure in Tibetan politics and has been recognized with numerous international awards, including the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child (Sweden) and the Woman of Courage Award. Her tireless dedication to the cause of women’s empowerment has also been acknowledged through the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar award presented by the Indian government.
Pema will receive the Pearl S. Buck Award during a special ceremony scheduled for April 18, where a documentary showcasing her remarkable life will be premiered. Randolph College aims to celebrate Pema’s life and her unwavering commitment to educating and empowering Tibetan children, in line with the values and vision of Pearl S. Buck.
Previous recipients of the Pearl S. Buck Award include notable figures like Maya Lin, Mary Robinson, Jehan Sadat, Sheikh Hasina, Corazon Aquino, and Maxine Hong Kingston. Pearl S. Buck herself was a relentless champion of civil rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, and the rights of those with disabilities, leaving an indelible mark on the world with her literary works and humanitarian endeavors.
Photo by: Matthias Schickhofer
Leave a Reply