Pepperspectives The Final Chapter: Reflections on Values for Living, Global and National Affairs and other Contemporary Issues

Over the course of the past quarter-century, I have authored blogs and essays, mostly under the title Pepperspectives. The topics have been wide-ranging, from leadership, to values of living, from political and international affairs, to reflections on books and movies which have meant the most to me.

I published two earlier selections of these blogs, the first under the title of Looking Back, Looking Forward, about six years ago. The other Pepperspectives: Reflections on Values for Living, Global and National Affairs and Other Contemporary Issues, published about three years ago.

I am publishing this final selection of reflections and recollections: Pepperspectives: The Final Chapter.

I write this in 2024. The challenges our nation and the world face are immense. Overcoming them will call for strong, principled, wise and courageous leadership. I’m conscious how much we are leaving the young to do. Yet, I look ahead with confidence that we can and will make progress. I draw confidence from the young, I draw confidence from leaders I know, a host of them at Procter & Gamble. I draw confidence from my children and my grandchildren, who every day inspire me with their imagination, their individuality, their quest for excellence and their share of goodness. The oldest of Francie’s and my grandchildren is 20. The youngest is 7. I don’t know exactly what they’ll do as they become full-blown adults, but I do know this. They are good people and they love each other and you can’t do better than this. You can’t ask for more than this.

I dedicate this final volume, as I have earlier of my books, to the person who has made my life possible: my wife of over 56 years, Francie.

John Pepper spent a 40-year career at Procter & Gamble Company, where he rose to become Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. Later, he served as Non-executive Chairman of the Walt Disney Company, as well as Senior Fellow of the Yale Corporation.For over 40 years, Mr. Pepper has been devoted to early childhood education and development. He is the co-founder of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and Every Child Succeeds and has been a leader in the development of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has served as CEO of the Freedom Center and has been a member of the board since its creation.Mr. Pepper is the recipient of several honorary degrees, including from St. Petersburg University in Russia and his alma mater, Yale University.He has been married to his wife, Francie, for over 56 years. They are the proud parents of four children, John, David, Douglas and Susan, and have ten grandchildren: Tibby, Izzy, Bo, Andrew, Katie, Molly, Hubbard, Rhoda, Jack and Charlie.