Road Scholar Group Leader Molly Goodrich: 20+ Years of Transformation
For over 20 years, Group Leader Molly Goodrich has unpacked New York City for countless Road Scholar participants. She showed them her city. “I wasn’t born here,” she says, “but I was born to be here.”
Molly originally moved to New York to seek “fame and fortune” as an art dealer but became disillusioned with the fleeting trends and superficial nature of the art scene. “So, I did some soul searching,” she says. “I asked myself, what brought me joy in the past? And it was always working with seniors.” She pauses. “Well, now I am one,” she jokes, “but back then I had always volunteered with programs for seniors at the local YMCA, and I loved it.”
The feeling of loss after leaving the art world was mitigated by this new path. “A very close friend said to me, you once curated art exhibitions. Now you’re curating experiences.”
That was a revelation for Molly. “I was here, in this city I love, creating experiences, participating in the creative process, and I was so happy.” Wondering what she could bring to these participants, she realized it was her love for her city.
“I was always inspired by that Mark Twain quote,” she says. “You’ve probably heard it a million times, but it’s my favorite — travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness. That was always the base of my programs, and what better place to expand your worldview than in New York City?”
Curating an Experience
Even if a program consists of what Molly calls “the basics” — Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall, the Empire State Building — she uses those locations as a basis for a conversation about immigration and cultural diversity. “We go to the immigrant neighborhoods so participants, especially those in the city for the first time, can see how the city and cultures have integrated.”
Among her countless memories, one remains especially close to her heart. During the 2008 recession, she helped launch an intergenerational program. “We created it as a way for grandparents to share their heritage with their grandchildren. Across the board, those were incredibly meaningful experiences that created lasting connections between generations.” It also struck a personal chord for her.
“It so happens that on the first day of the first program, I came across old photos of my grandparents taking me to New York for the first time”, she recalls. “We took the same Circle Line Ferry I now take participants on. That was really special for me — a good, cross-generational sign.”
Another memorable experience was a contemporary art program that almost didn’t happen. Only 12 people signed up, and when she asked how many knew what they were in for, half admitted they just wanted to be in New York in October. Despite the low expectations, it became one of her most successful programs, with participants expressing their deep appreciation for what they learned. “We got a 100% NPS score because they were open-minded and willing to learn. That’s the power of Road Scholar," she says.
A Transformative Experience for Participants and Herself
Throughout her time as a Group Leader, she has witnessed how Road Scholar programs can change lives. “People come with an open mind because it’s Road Scholar,” she says. “They know they’re going to learn something valuable, they want to learn and they listen! You have no idea how energizing that is as a Group Leader.” That’s high praise from a woman who was once called by the mayor’s office to lead a special group of guests around New York City. “Let’s just say that particular group was not engaged. But, of course,” she quips, “they weren’t Road Scholars!”
And it's not just the participants who are willing and open to change — Molly has also been transformed through her work and her own experiences with Road Scholar. A recent program to Southeast Asia had a profound impact on her.
It was a part of the world in which she had never spent much time. “I grew up,” she says, “protesting in the streets, trying to save my brother's life during the Vietnam era. I really had this impression that we had devastated Vietnam, and I carried so much guilt and shame over that period in history,” she admits. “But what an experience Road Scholar curated for us in Vietnam!”
One day during the program was especially impactful. “We began the morning with an economics professor at the University of Vietnam, who spoke graciously about the relationship between our countries and the economic cooperation.”
This experience gave Molly another way to think about the war. “I had no idea there was any positive impact Americans had on Vietnam, and I definitely never knew how that connection truly mattered to those who lived through it.”
A visit to a battlefield later, paired with conversations with locals and students, helped her find healing. “It was the experience I didn’t know I needed, and it was so beautifully curated by Road Scholar,” she says.
Looking Ahead to New Adventures
Even in retirement, Molly’s love for travel and learning hasn’t waned. She’s not only participating in Road Scholar programs but also making an impact hosting international visitors in her home. “We were in Barcelona recently, and 15 people we’d hosted welcomed us — it’s incredible how connected you can become through travel.”
As she looks back on her years leading programs, Molly hopes her legacy is one of creating experiences that go beyond sightseeing. “I hope I’ve helped participants see the world differently and understand their place in it,” she reflects. “That’s what travel is all about — connecting with people and learning from them.”