Credit the Khrushchevs for Mary Eisenhower's passion for international philanthropy.

The granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower -- and the president and CEO of the humanitarian group he founded, People to People International -- told the story yesterday of how a Soviet icon and his dissident son helped shape her life.

She was the guest speaker at the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond's "Mending a Broken World" forum at the Science Museum of Virginia.

She recalled Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visiting the family farm in Gettysburg, Pa., not long after Eisenhower left office.

"That was the first time he was something other than a knee-slapping grandfather," she said. It was the first time she remembered her grandfather becoming angry, although as a child she didn't understand why.

Years later, she was invited to speak at a People to People function. From across the room, she saw Nikita's son, Sergei, who by then had moved to the United States. She wasn't certain she wanted to be in the same room with him but, out of politeness, agreed to be introduced.

As they shook hands, Khrushchev pulled Eisenhower close, she said, and said, "Are you as uncomfortable as me?" They both laughed, then spent 45 minutes talking.

The encounter made Eisenhower realize the power of People to People: It brought together the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of places.

The next day, she quit her job and began working for the global goodwill group, known for its large youth program, full time.

"I get to see miracles big and small on a daily basis," she said.

She spoke of the power of people -- especially young people -- to see the good in the world.

"The kids of today, nobody has told them what can't be done," she said. "It restores your faith in life because so often we're led to believe our young people are complacent, and they're not."
Contact Zachary Reid at (804) 775-8179 or zreid@timesdispatch.com.