WILPF Remembers Longtime Peace Activist and Beloved Member Barby Ulmer

Barby holds a peace dove—a symbol of her lifelong commitment to peace and justice work.

Barby Ulmer: 11/24/1929 – 11/15/2025

Longtime peace activist Barby Ulmer died peacefully at 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 15.

During the time she was in Kaiser’s comfort care, people close to her were loving her at her bedside. Her sister Joan and other family members had visited during her very short hospital stay after a fall at home on the 13th.

Barby was an active leader for decades in local, national, and international WILPF. She attended many WILPF congresses and contributed to many WILPF committees and events.

Granny Barby was a cherished current member of the San Jose, CA Raging Grannies, singing at Zoom rehearsals, bringing delight to us all. She led a song during our October WILPF San Jose meeting, at her request.

Barby and others attend a vigil for Palestine in 2025.

With her late husband, Vic, she founded Our Developing World in 1982. The non-profit organization strove to raise awareness of the struggles and triumphs in developing countries by creating resources for teachers, hosting events, and leading educational trips to Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

At two recorded WILPF San Jose meetings in 2022 and 2023, Barby shared oral histories about her life:

• WILPF San Jose August 2022: Barby Ulmer, Activism Story Interview
• WILPF San Jose Monthly Meeting October 2023: Peace Building with Barby Ulmer

Barby will be missed by her WILPF sisters, Raging Grannies, peace activists, and friends around the world. She touched many lives in her decades of activism.

Barby celebrates her 90th birthday at the San Jose Peace and Justice Center with local politicians and community members. She received a proclamation for her peace activism.

WILPF’s 2025 National Board Election: Stay Tuned for Results!

Ellen Schwartz, WILPF US Nominating Committee

Thank you to all members who participated in the 2025 National Board election. This election included a Bylaws amendment that expands opportunities for Board service, as well as a referendum on increasing annual dues by $5. Ballots will be counted in early December, and you can expect an eAlert announcement with the results around mid-December.

The newly elected board members will take their seats during the Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29 (4:30 p.m./5:30 p.m. MT/6:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. ET). Current WILPF US members are welcome to attend this meeting. For more information, please email secretary@wilpfus.org.

If you’re looking for ways to contribute to WILPF US and become eligible for Board service, consider becoming active on a national committee for at least a year. The Nominating Committee is eager to provide this experience. Committee members have the opportunity to help recruit Board candidates, connect with other engaged WILPF US members, become familiar with the organization’s internal workings, and assist in organizing and overseeing the annual elections. If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to the Nominating Committee at nominatingcommittee@wilpfus.org.

Young WILPF Hosts “Resisting ICE: A Talk with the Arizona Courts Project” 

Young WILPF recently held a powerful national conversation, “Resisting ICE: A Talk with the Arizona Courts Project,” featuring two incredible movement leaders: Jovana Renteria, Justice Director, and Yakeleen Almazan, Community Engagement Director of the Arizona Courts Project. 

The session brought together members from across the country to learn how local and national court systems shape immigration enforcement—and how young people can step into this work with clarity and courage. Jovana and Yakeleen shared firsthand perspectives from the front lines of organizing, legal education, court-watching, and community defense. They broke down current threats to due process, the rise of politicized court decisions, and the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the judicial system. 

Participants also explored how everyday people can get involved—from monitoring local courts to understanding judicial elections to supporting community-based legal defense efforts. As Jovana reminded us, “Accountability happens with us—the organizers, the lawyers, the families who document abuses, file lawsuits, and mobilize the public.” 

Young WILPF hosts monthly virtual sessions to build political education, grow youth leadership, and connect young activists across the country. Stay tuned—there’s much more ahead.