Article May 28, 2001 Issue

A politician who prays

By Karen Olsen de Figueres

Karen Olsen de Figueres was first lady of Costa Rica on two occasions (1953–1958 and 1970–1974). She was also the Costa Rican ambassador to Israel (1982–1984) and was a Congresswoman/National Representative of Costa Rica (1990–1994).

Currently she participates in the activities of the National Liberation Party, which her late husband, President José Figueres Ferrer, founded. Ferrer abolished his country's Army in 1948, when he founded the Second Republic. She is also the president of the foundation that bears the name of her husband and which is dedicated to promoting disarmament, peace, liberty, and sustainable development.

I was always interested in humanity. As a result of this, I came to realize that poverty is something mental. I understood that it wasn't possible to disregard or eliminate poverty simply by saying "This isn't my problem" or "It isn't my responsibility." As a human being, and particularly as a woman, I feel that whatever happens on any corner, near or far, affects me directly and indirectly.

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