Mary Jean Eisenhower was born in Washington, D.C. The granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, she grew up near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania before her father was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Belgium and relocated the family abroad.

As Chairman Emeritus of People to People International (PTPI), Mary has traveled to more than 75 countries, visiting demining teams and Peace Camps while supporting student and cultural programs. She established the PTPI Friendship Fund to give back to the facilities and friends PTPI visits globally.

Mary also launched “Peace Camp 2003: An Evolution of Thought & Action” and “The Global Peace Initiative”. These efforts brought people from more than 30 nationalities together to Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey to discuss issues and reach a better understanding of their individual cultures.

Among her many notable honors, Mary has received the Knight of Peace Award from the International University in Italy, the Medal of Honor from the Slovak Republic, The Consular Corps Award of Excellence, The Harry S. Truman Award for Public Service, and the Friendship Ambassador from The People’s Republic of China. She also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Schiller International University, Park University and William Jewell College.

“I have worked with Gary Sinise since 2004 and watched him work tirelessly with the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families, all the while holding down a more than full time endeavor. He is a man that opens his eyes in the morning and is already thinking of miraculous ways to make life better for someone else. I am very honored to be an Ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation.”

— Mary Jean Eisenhower