North Carolina once was hailed as the Old South’s progressive stronghold… but no more! For the first time since 1898, extremist right-wing Republicans have won a super majority in the North Carolina Legislature, and a seat in the Governor's mansion, too. Since taking control of the State in January 2013, they’ve lost no time in unleashing an avalanche of regressive and repressive legislation that has left local WILPF members—and folks from throughout the State—reeling.

WILPF members joined in Marches Against Monsanto, which took place in 436 cities in 52 countries on May 25, 2013. WILPF Raging Grannies led a crowd of 500 protesters in original songs against genetically engineered foods in San Jose, CA. Pittsburgh WILPFer Edith Bell demonstrated under a huge banner "We Can Limit Corporate Power" and handed out Move To Amend leaflets.

In April, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced HR 1650, which, for the first time calls on Congress and the Administration to help rid the world of nuclear weapons by 2020!  WILPF women also continued to challenge nuclear power and the whole nuclear chain. In this photo WILPFers and friends wearing masks of ousted  NRC chief Gregory B. Jaczko  read his parting call for phasing out nuclear power to NRC commissioners at a Vermont Yankee hearing in Brattleboro VT.

The Working Groups can establish sub-groups if they identify the need for that to make the work more effective. The members of the Working Groups should be prepared to spend a lot of time to ensure that the groups are effective and – in the end - contribute to the 100^th anniversary with concrete, hands-on activities and outcomes.

Many WILPFers are active on multiple political, economic and cultural issues—yet they may not be active in WILPF.  Also, some WILPFers want to be active, but they don't have the situation locally to do so.  This is your invitation—no, your exhortation—to apply to become a national-level WILPF volunteer!

In WILPF on tax day, April 15, every member and every branch needs to find a way to speak out on shifting national spending from wars to human needs, rights and security.

Clacking castanets in Madrid’s central square, 74 international members of WILPF chanted “Peace and Freedom . . . No War . . . the World We Want!”  The Spanish Section hosted February’s International Board meeting and choreographed our flash mob. Activists from 27 nations shared ideas and experiences during three days of intense work.

As part of an over 70 person delegation from 25 countries, WILPF brought 6 Local2Global and 15 Practicum in Advocacy participants to the 57^th United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York this March, where the focus was the elimination of violence against women and girls.

Inspired after attending the Women’s Congress for Future Generations in Moab, Utah last September, Randa Solick, Mathilde Rand, Jean Hays, and Nancy Price, all from California, have launched the Earth Democracy California Tour to bring the concept of Guardianship for Future Generations and Rights and Responsibilities of Present Generations to the California WILPF Branches. Guardianship for Future Generations is the framing principle we are using to bring the work of Earth Democracy’s four sub-committees together.

On Monday, February 11, the "We the People" amendment was introduced in Congress, thanks to the efforts of US Representatives Rick Nolan (D-MN) and Mark Pocan (D-WI).