Jere and Bonnie Broh-Kahn: A legacy of exploration and education
For Jere Broh-Kahn, a love for exploration began with National Geographic magazine, which his parents subscribed to when he was a child. This early passion would become a lifelong pursuit he shared with his late wife, Bonnie. They traveled together to 161 countries, with almost all of their travels side-by-side.
For Jere Broh-Kahn, a love for exploration began with National Geographic magazine, which his parents subscribed to when he was a child. This early passion would become a lifelong pursuit he shared with his late wife, Bonnie. They traveled together to 161 countries, with almost all of their travels side-by-side. Jere credits National Geographic with instilling in him a love for new cultures, exploration, and the powerful idea that “storytelling is education.”
Blog
Map courtesy of Mapmaker, Esri. (Sources Esri, USGS, FAO, NOAA)
The couple’s careers were as adventurous as their travels. After three years in the Air Force, Jere passed the written and oral exams for the foreign service. His first posting was in Bangkok, Thailand, where he worked in the economic and protocol sections. He met Bonnie overseas, who also had an extraordinary foreign service career.
Bonnie’s story is a testament to her grit and determination. While waiting for a bus in St. Louis, she was approached for a job with the foreign service. She was sent to Tunisia, where she started as the lowest-ranked secretary but was promoted to the ambassador’s personal secretary in just two years. She was in Tunisia during its independence from France in 1956, and her next station was in Bangkok, where she met Jere. The couple retired from the foreign service in 1984 and relocated to Washington, D.C., where Jere continued to support foreign visitors.
After taking several memorable trips with National Geographic, they became supporters of the Society in 2000. After nearly 65 years of marriage, Bonnie sadly passed away in February 2024.
“Our relationship with National Geographic has been a lifelong journey of discovery and a profound source of joy,” Jere reflected. “Supporting their mission allows me to continue that journey and to share the wonder of the world with others.”
Now, the Broh-Kahns’ dedication to educating the next generation of changemakers will serve as an enduring legacy through a generous bequest to the National Geographic Society. Jere has designated the Society as a beneficiary of a percentage of his living trust. This contribution is intended to support educational and geography programming at the soon-to-be-opened National Geographic Museum of Exploration (MOE). This year, Jere also contributed to the National Geographic Society and The Nature Conservancy Externship program, helping create more opportunities for young people from all communities to prepare for careers in conservation. He has also supported National Geographic Explorer in Residence Lee Berger and Explorers at Large Dereck and Beverly Joubert.
Each year during Geography Awareness Week, the Society will honor Jere and Bonnie’s shared love of exploration and education. Jere’s guiding philosophy, “the smarter you are, the more you know about the world,” will continue to inspire future generations to come.
Click here to learn more about how to create a lasting and meaningful legacy with the National Geographic Society.
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.