Below is a summary of recent and upcoming Jane Addams virtual branch meeting topics. As always, after guest speakers, we open the floor to WILPF leaders and then to all for questions and comments.

April: Iran Presentation by Nuri Ronaghy and Alan Shorb

In April, Jane Addams attendees were excited to hear from Nuri Ronaghy and Alan Shorb about the formation of WILPF Iran and a planned trip to Iran. Watch the recording of this meeting for more information.

May: Mexico’s Female President and More With Regina Hugues

Ellen Mass is very enthusiastic about Mexico and its forward-thinking president, Claudia Sheinbaum. She has written articles that MAPA (Massachusetts Peace Action) published in its Feb., March, and April newsletters, The Peace Advocate. Learn more about these articles in this month’s announcements.

Ellen suggested Regina Hugues as a speaker for our Jane Addams branch meeting, and we are delighted that Regina has agreed! Regina majored in Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development at Anahuac University in Mexico City. She has been an online Spanish teacher for seven years, working with adults of all ages and professions around the US. She has volunteered in some of the poorest communities in the country and worked very briefly in the government and the private sector.

In addition to discussing Claudia Sheinbaum and the current government, Regina will share information about some of the changes Mexicans are experiencing, the people’s perspective, and why what’s happening now is so important and uplifting.

Although Regina is not an expert on the Bienestar Program, she will share the general political context since before Andrés Manuel López Obrador, her experience volunteering in Chiapas and doing an internship with the Secretary of the Environment, the changes that came with López Obrador and now Claudia Sheinbaum, and why she likes what they’re doing.

The Jane Addams branch May meeting will take place on May 21. Please join us!

Summer: Gather With WILPFers During Jane Addams Branch Meetings!

You won’t want to miss our summer gatherings! During the June, July, and August Jane Addams branch meetings, we invite the WILPF US board, staff, issue committee chairs, and branch leaders to speak.

This format is inspired by the summer gatherings that occurred two years ago, when there was no summer national or international WILPF Congress. In lieu of the Congress, WILPF US members gathered to hear from WILPF leaders for three evenings. There is once again no WILPF Congress this summer, so please join us on the third Wednesday of each month–June 18, July 16, and Aug. 20, for these gatherings of WILPFers!

September: Before You Enlist!

Join us in September to learn more about the “Before You Enlist!” program!

Last January, Marybeth Gardam wrote:

“In an era of ‘homegrown terrorists,’ many of whom were either former military, paramilitary, military contractors and from families enamored of militarism in all its forms, it’s predictable we’d be witnessing more violence. What better subversive way of ‘grooming’ new recruits than secret messaging through these games which are so addictive among our young men and boys. 

“Perhaps the most important work WILPF branches and members could do to stem the tide of violence is to promote the BEFORE YOU ENLIST program Sandy Thacker and others in CA are so successfully launching in high schools. It’s a potent reality check for young people who are being pressured to join up.

“This is a successful model program that could easily be replicated across the US if our branches and members united around it!”

 Join us on Sept. 17 to hear about “Before You Enlist!”