min magazine 2008 Playground: Liz Vaccariello
Friday, November 7, 2008

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Liz Vaccariello
SVP/Editor-in-Chief, Prevention

Liz Vaccariello’s prized possession is as exotic to us as it is personal to her. Her treasured African amulet was given to her grandfather Willet Wilson by a Liberian tribesman who literally saved his life after the American traveler contracted malaria while visiting that country years ago. “A boy who led the tribal team that escorted him around the country found a mission where he was cared for and ultimately nursed back to health,” says Vaccariello. “Before he left the country, the boy gave him the beautiful amulet, a symbol of his tribe and a totem that was meant to keep him safe forever.

My grandfather was later moved to Germany to recuperate and while he was there, he met my grandmother who he eventually brought back to America.” Liz’s grandmother gave her the amulet after her grandfather died because she believed the little girl had inherited his love of travel. As a child, Liz begged to be regaled with stories of her grandfather’s African adventures and fell in love with the people, culture, animals, vastness—inspiring her to later visit seven countries on the continent.

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