Sunday
April 28, 2024 
In 2024, Pearl S. Buck International will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding by Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author, humanitarian, and activist Pearl S. Buck.
A slate of events and programming are in the works to celebrate this milestone of bridging cultures, changing lives and creating hope.
Kickstarting the year of celebration is a special limited exhibit, “Hidden Gems: Fashioning A Legacy,” at the historic Pearl S. Buck Estate in Bucks County. The exhibit will showcase the best representations of Pearl Buck’s personal style through her intact collection of American and Asian fashion, jewelry, shoes, handbags, hand fans, gloves and associated archival material. Buck had the opportunity to live in two very different cultures and carefully chose clothing and accessories to represent the two halves of herself and her life.
The fashions exhibited will also be used as the vehicle to tell the story of Pearl S. Buck International’s work and impact since 1964 in changing the lives of millions of children, families and communities around the world.
The exhibit will open March 15, with a special Pearl S. Buck International members’ and event sponsor preview night on March 14.
At a special May 16 gala at historic Pearl S. Buck Estate, the organization will not only celebrate the 60th anniversary milestone but will share six decades of humanitarian, intercultural and educational work as it builds on Pearl Buck’s legacy and brings it forward into the future, thanks to the dedicated generosity of Pearl S. Buck International friends, donors and supporters. At the gala, meet the directors of the global affiliate offices and learn about the amazing work they are doing in the field thanks to the support of child sponsors and donors.
Pearl S. Buck International’s Living the Legacy Breakfast: 60 Years will return on June 26, which also happens to be Pearl Buck’s birthday. Inspirational speakers and videos will showcase the lives changed locally and around the globe by the humanitarian, intercultural, and educational work of Pearl S. Buck International. The event will inspire and invite guests to become a part of the 60 years and counting of Pearl Buck’s legacy and story.
The Pearl S. Buck Symposium will be held Sept. 26-28 at various locations around upper Bucks County. In partnership with local universities and international institutions, Pearl S. Buck International invites local high school, university and professional scholars to join in collaboration, discussion and fellowship at the research and educational symposium. A call for research papers will go out soon.
Other events throughout the year will include an expanded High School Global Leadership Program over the summer, an anniversary edition of the Woman of Influence Award celebrating six decades of women leaders following in Pearl Buck’s humanitarian, cross-cultural, and advocacy footsteps, and a family-friendly Lunar New Year celebration in collaboration with the Central Bucks Chinese American Association to usher in the Year of the Dragon.
PSBI membership pays for itself with just three visits to the Pearl S. Buck Historic Estate and includes free tours of the Pearl S. Buck House museum, discounts in the Gift Shop and to the 60th anniversary gala on May 16, and member-only invites to special and signature events throughout the year, including the preview night on March 14 for the opening of our anniversary exhibit. Membership helps support humanitarian, educational, and cross-cultural work today, tomorrow, and into the next 60 years.
For the most current information about the yearlong 60th anniversary celebration, go to: https://pearlsbuck.org/60.
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