April 2025 Announcements
Announcements
Music as Resistance: Greater Phoenix Branch Hosts Powerful Performance by Tom Neilson
by Shelby Young and Barbara Taft
WILPF Greater Phoenix Branch
Barbara Taft introducing Tom Neilson to the audience.
The Greater Phoenix branch partnered with the Arizona Palestine Network to host a Music Hall event featuring award-winning folk singer Tom Neilson. Renowned for his powerful storytelling through song, Tom captivated the audience with a setlist that wove together personal narratives, historical events, and urgent social issues. His performance ranged from the story of The Wanted 18 to a critique of Florida’s 2022 “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, as well as reflections on key global struggles, including the Israeli occupation, climate change, and corporate greed—many of which align with WILPF’s longstanding activism.
Blending deep emotion with sharp social commentary, Tom’s music served as both a call to action and a tribute to those who have fought for justice, including Palestinian journalists who have lost their lives. The evening was a powerful reminder of how music can educate, inspire, and mobilize communities.
Stay tuned for an upcoming art event in late spring—more details to come!
Watch Our eNews for the Links to Two Exciting Videos!
by Gloria McMillan
We’re excited to share links to the following two videos about WILPF US’ early history soon. Look for the links on our Branches listserv and in our next eNews!
“From Spoken-of to Speaker: The Invisible Co-founder of Hull-House”
This video premiered at the WILPF 110th Anniversary celebration hosted by The Chicago Women’s History Center. “From Spoken-of to Speaker: The Invisible Co-founder of Hull-House” recovers the history of Jane Addams’s lost immigrant friend whose achievements were obscured for many years. Hull-House was a two-way conversation between residents and neighbors, but stories are often one-sided in scope due to language and class issues. Jane Addams and Emily Greene Balch did more than sail to European conferences. They worked in some of the most deprived places in the US. Learn why Jane Addams said there is no peace without immigrant and refugee work!
“Slavic Fieldwork: Jane Addams and Emily Greene Balch”
WILPF’s Boston Branch hosted the premiere of this video, which examines the work of Jane Addams and Emily Greene Balch. Addams spent forty years living in Chicago’s Hull-House. Balch lived in mining camps and boarding houses in industrial neighborhoods. Her work led to her 1910 study, Our Slavic Fellow Citizens. These WILPF co-founders have repeatedly spoken about the connection of meeting the “other” where they live and how this orientation is key to peace. This video illuminates thrilling new information about WILPF’s early history and how it directly relates to the challenges we face today.
Fannie Lou Hamer Branch Celebrates Four Years
by Theresa El-Amin
Fannie Lou Hamer Branch Organizer
WILPF’s Fannie Lou Hamer Branch headquartered in Columbus, GA was excited to celebrate four years of building community relationships with an event on Saturday, March 8–International Women’s Day. The event was held at Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church, a Fannie Lou Hamer Branch community partner. Lunch was provided by Fourth Street Missionary Baptist Church. Edda Lamb and Theresa El-Amin organized the event. Thank you to all who joined us and everyone who has been a part of the Fannie Lou Hamer Branch’s work these past four years!
Photo: Edda Lamb, founding member of WILPF’s Fannie Lou Hamer Branch. Photo by Danita Gibson Lloyd.
