After hearing about the Great Peruvian earthquake of 1970 , which caused an avalanche and additional destruction , Pat initiated a " volunteer American relief drive " and flew to the country , where she aided in taking relief supplies to earthquake victims . She toured damaged regions and embraced homeless townspeople ; they trailed her as she climbed up hills of rubble and under fallen beams . Her trip was heralded in newspapers around the world for her acts of compassion and disregard for her personal safety or comfort , and her presence was a direct boost to political relations . One Peruvian official commented : " Her coming here meant more than anything else President Nixon could have done , " and an editorial in Peru 's '' Lima Prensa '' said that Peruvians could never forget Pat Nixon . Fran Lewine of the Associated Press wrote that no First Lady had ever undertaken a " mercy mission " resulting in such " diplomatic side effects " . On the trip , the Peruvian government presented her with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun , the highest Peruvian distinction and the oldest such honor in the Americas
Great Peruvian earthquake of 1970
1970 Ancash earthquake
Pat Nixon