NEWS

Nuclear-Free-Future Tour Report Plus Invitations to DC (Nov.) & NY (April)

Post date: Tue, 10/01/2019 - 07:32

Ellen Thomas, Baltazar Lopez of Anna Eshoo’s office in Palo Alto, Cherrill Spencer, Alan Shorb & Nuri Ronaghy, photographed by Eshoo staffer on 7/17/19.

By Ellen Thomas
Disarm/End Wars Issue Committee

Ellen Thomas has posted a report on the July 12-31, 2019 California Nuclear-Free-Future Tour which has oodles of photos, contact info, and links to the individual speeches given by Nuri Ronaghy, Alan Shorb, Cherrill Spencer, Marylia Kelley, and Ellen Thomas in Sacramento, Palo Alto, Fresno, and San Luis Obispo.

The names and contact information of the legislative aides of Representatives Doris Matsui, John Garamendi, Zoe Lofgren, Jackie Speier, Anna Eshoo, Ro Khanna, and Jim Costa, and Senator Diane Feinstein, are also provided.

Anna Eshoo’s aide, Baltazar Lopez, strongly recommended that we contact all of the members of the Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee to ask that they allow HR-2419 out of Committee and to the floor for debate and a vote. John Garamendi, Ro Khanna, and Jackie Speier, whose staffs we met with in Davis, Santa Clara, and San Mateo, are on that subcommittee, as are Susan Davis and Salud Carbajal (CA), Seth Moulton and Bill Keating (MA), Kendra Horn (OK), Jim Cooper (TN), Rick Larsen and Adam Smith (WA), all Democrats.

Let’s Go to DC in November!

It's now time to set up meetings with the legislators themselves.

I’ve contacted the folks who hosted the tour to ask, “If you haven't been able to meet personally with your Representative to ask for co-sponsorship of HR-2419 yet, can you help me get a face-to-face appointment in DC in November?” I've learned that DC Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton may not run again next session, in which case we need to find other Representatives to introduce the legislation, in addition to getting co-sponsors this session.

Please contact me if you have news or can help get an appointment, either locally with you, or in DC with me. Without the help of a constituent, the staff will consider me a lobbyist and probably won't set up a face-to-face meeting. In my experience, that's the only way to get a co-sponsor.

Code Pink House has promised us four or five beds the nights of November 11-15. (Lobbying begins on November 12, but we will arrive November 11). Want to come help lobby? Know someone who does?

This is a call-out for folks who want to spend a few days in DC with Ellen Thomas, meeting with Representatives to ask them to co-sponsor HR-2419, and for folks who are willing to set up face-to-face meetings with their legislators, especially those in the Progressive Caucus, or who serve on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. (Read the report for more information.)

More details, including other housing possibilities, will be in the special mid-October eNews, due out the week of Oct. 15-18.

Important links:

NucNews on Facebook
WILPF-US Facebook page
WILPF SMART! Facebook blog (for any and all WILPF members - it's easy to join! at http://wilpfus.org)

Please sign and share online:

Petition to House
Petition to Senate

April 2020 in New York: World Conference for Disarmament, Peace, Climate & Justice

World Conference Against A & H Bombs Photo: At the World Conference Against A & H Bombs in Hiroshima, Japan, in August 2019. Front row, from left: Jun Hamamoto, Nuri Ronaghy, Emily Rubino, and Yuki Sato; back row, from left: Alan Shorb, Joseph Gerson, Shinji Yamamoto, and Ellen Thomas. Taken on Ellen’s iPhone.

We received this message from Joseph Gerson, organizer of this New York event:

This is a save the date notice (April 24-26, 2020), urging you to plan to come to New York for a major disarmament, peace climate and justice event on the eve of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Campaign for Peace, Disarmament & Common Security, with major Japanese, European and other peace, climate and justice organizations, will be holding a major World Conference in New York City and organizing a major rally, march, and petitions presentation on April 24-26, 2020. That's the eve of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference.

We've reserved the prestigious Riverside Church to accommodate the 800+ Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and activists coming from Japan and an equal number or more coming from across the U.S., Europe and beyond. We'll be a remarkable mix, Nobel Peace Laureates leading national and grassroots movement leaders & activists, and we expect a very high U.N. official to accept our invitation.

There will be NO registration fee, but contributions will be greatly appreciated.

We're going to need about 40 volunteers to pull this off. Please write to me at JGerson80@gmail.com if you will be able to help or if you have questions or suggestions.

Finally, the bones of our website have been created, with details to be filled in in the coming months:

So, plan to join us if you can in April 2020, and please spread the word.

NOTE: The WILPF US petitions gathered around the country supporting the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will be delivered to the United Nations at this event. Thanks to all of you who are continuing to collect names, most recently Linda Modica of Jonesborough, Tennessee!

Update from NuclearBan.US by Vicki Elson

Since the publication of Warheads to Windmills: How to Pay for a Green New Deal, we've gotten deep into the intersection of climate and nuclear weapons. Timmon Wallis has been following trends, and he discovered that wind capacity surpassed nuclear power capacity (but not delivery, yet) in the US on the very day that so many of us were in the streets about the climate crisis. Story here.

Our dear friend and mentor, and loooooongtime WILPFer, Frances Crowe, passed peacefully away at age 100. We visited her in her last days — she was still giving support and suggestions, and she thanked us for carrying on her mission. What a person, what a teacher, what an activist! http://www.nuclearban.us/frances-crowes-legacy-lives-on

In other news, Congressman Mark Pocan, chair of the Progressive Caucus, signed the ICAN Parliamentary Pledge to support the Nuclear Ban Treaty.

Timmon tried to straighten out Elizabeth Warren: http://www.nuclearban.us/its-time-to-tell-the-truth-nuclear-weapons-must-never-be-used-again/

And here are two articles about the INF treaty, one by WILPF's excellent Alice Slater, one by Timmon Wallis (they are together in New York as I write, attending treaty and climate events at the UN). This is timely and urgent again in light of impeachment hearings. Please feel free to share these with your legislators!

Hiroshima Unlearned: Time to Tell the Truth About US-Russia Relations and Finally Ban the Bomb

Trump Broke US Law in Destroying INF Treaty

Vicki Elson, MA, CCE, CD
www.NuclearBan.US

Watch this new report -- free download:
"Fresh Hope: Warheads to Windmills" (6 minute video)

Post date: Tue, 10/01/2019 - 07:10

Firefighters at Peterson Air Force Base conduct live training with AFFF. Notice the grassy area just beyond the foam. July 21, 2014. Photo by Michael Golembesky / US Air Force.

By Nancy Price, Barbara Reed, and Randa Solnick
Earth Democracy Issue Committee

This summer, the Patagonia Environmental Fund awarded the Earth Democracy committee a $12,000 grant for “The Pentagon: Exposing the Hidden Polluter of Water,” our new project in California. The grant will support our work bringing the environmental, water, and health justice communities together with the peace movement to expose the extent of the military’s responsibility for the current nationwide drinking water and health crisis. This project is focused on California, the state with the most WILPF branches, a large number of at-large members, and with a number of environmental, health, water justice, and peace groups with whom we can collaborate.

A probable link has been established between a large class of man-made chemicals known as PFAS, of which PFOA and PFOS are the most commonly used and associated with a range of illnesses, including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, pre-eclampsia, ulcerative colitis, hormone disruption, infertility, and developmental problems in the fetus and early childhood. PFAS is found in umbilical cord blood and breast milk. The Environmental Working Group reports that PFAS is now in the blood of 99 percent of Americans and has contaminated the drinking water of 110 million or more Americans. Our project will expose the military and military bases as a primary source of pollution in the state. Read Pat Elder’s California Takes on PFAS Contamination While the Military Is a Primary Source of the Pollution and A New Drinking Water Crisis Hits US Military Bases Across the Nation.

This water and health is a crisis of epic proportions, not only because of the magnitude of contamination. but because the chemicals in this PFAS class are called “forever chemicals” – taking hundreds of years to break down during which time they continue to pollute water, humans, animals, fish, plants, and crops.

The public is finally starting to become informed of PFAS levels in drinking water and states are starting to take action on setting their own limits, as the Environmental Protection Agency has to date only proposed a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 70 parts-per-trillion. California has taken on PFAS pollution and has set the lowest limits of any state to date. Effective January 1, 2020, public water systems must notify customers of PFAS contamination. The current notification level of 14 ppt has been lowered to 5.1 ppt for PFOA and from 13 ppt to 6.5 ppt for PFOS, two of the most widespread in the family of PFAS chemicals. Drinking water sources with measurements that exceed these levels are either to be taken out of service or the water system must provide public notice of the excess level.

In early 2020, when the California public gets these notices, they may demand to know more, and to press the state to act more quickly to set low and legally-binding MCL levels. Other states are waking up, too: testing water, seeking to find sources of contamination, and setting rates well below the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed level of 70 ppt. A Harvard scientist has stated that even 1 ppt is too high!

There is still a lot of work to be done to educate and mobilize the public on this important issue and the military’s responsibility. This Earth Democracy project in California is poised to take a lead by raising awareness and building coalitions among activist groups. We’ll start this fall and lead up to a statewide tour in March 2020 by Pat Elder to speak at local events, culminating with a public forum on March 21, the day before World Water Day, on the theme of militarism, the environment and drinking water crisis, and climate.

Pat is a leading researcher and writer on military pollution who publishes at militarytimes.com, civilianexposure.org, and worldbeyondwar.org. His Website, www.militarypoisons.org will serve as our project website titled “The Military is Poisoning California” where he already has posted California Databases of contaminated military sites searchable by name of base, city, or county. Click on Alamea and then go to “More” for the bases. Pat is writing a “profile” for each base, and has a section on “How To Do Research.”

Please Join Earth Democracy in This Project!

First of all: If you live in California, the Santa Cruz Branch is planning a CA Cluster Meeting on November 16th in Santa Cruz, in part to discuss organizing the Pat Elder tour. Please join us and RSVP to Rando Solick at rsolick@gmail.com

Then, here’s what we aim to do:

This fall:

Invite WILPF branches and at-large members to discuss and decide if the will host a speaking engagement for Pat Elder, and propose a date in March so we can begin to lay out a calendar. By January or early February, we would like to have a schedule in place so we can begin outreach and publicity. We look forward to working with the Environmental Working Group, the Community Water Center (Visalia), Environmental Coalition for Water Justice (Sacramento), CA Nurses Association, CA Breast Action, and 20 Veterans for Peace Chapters.
Create a series of well-researched educational handouts, including profiles of bases and military installations, with types/ levels of contamination, data for on-base and adjacent community disease clusters, and status of legislative and other actions being taken in CA and other states.
Create an event poster, banner, and infographic card.
Develop a social media campaign to educate the public on how the military is the hidden polluter of water, the use of a specially formulated form for fighting intensely hot jet fuel and other fires on bases, its contamination of water and ecosystems on bases and in surrounding communities, and its toxic effects on health.

Beginning in January:

From January to early February, finalize Pat Elder’s tour schedule.
Launch our social media campaign.
Mobilize the CA public and impacted communities to support the new state maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFASs, in particular PFOA/PFOS .
Educate California residents that they have legal rights to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water. Our Earth Democracy Committee was part of the coalition of water justice groups that succeeded in getting the California Human Right to Water bill signed into law in 2012.
Collaborate with environmental, water, health, and peace organizations to mobilize grassroots, intersectional action advocating for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a realistic lowest maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for PFAS contamination.

March 2020

Branches, at-large-members and groups host community speaking event for Pat Elder.
March 21 Forum: Militarism – Environment, Water and Health Crisis - and Climate: Speakers TBA.

We need your help to make his project a success.

It’s time to build a broad intersectional movement of environmental, health, water justice, and peace groups in California and nationwide calling to close bases and end wars. This is the only way we can liberate the billions of dollars from the military budget to fund the Superfund cleanup of toxic sites on military bases and contamination in surrounding communities, provide health care for on- and off-base victims of contaminated water, and to repair and build new “state of the art” public, not privatized and corporate owned, drinking water and water treatment systems.

The military is killing us. We must close bases and end wars to protect the environment and the health of current and future generations. Contact Nancy Price nancytprice39@gmail.com or Randa Solick rsolick@gmail.com if you are interested in any aspect of this exciting project. Stay tuned for further reports.

Dark Waters Opens This Fall

Dark Waters

On November 22, the feature film Dark Waters opens at movie theaters featuring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins.

Here’s the real story Behind 'Dark Waters' about a corporate lawyer turned environmental crusader against the corporate criminal, Dupont Corporation, that's polluting the water in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Post date: Tue, 10/01/2019 - 06:54

By the Corporations v Democracy Issue Committee

When the Corporations v Democracy Issue Committee of WILPF US relaunched in June 2019, there were so many possible corporate power issues to address that it was a bit paralyzing to prioritize which ones the committee would take on. Planning for the next 2-3 years, a survey was sent out to the existing committee list to identify which issues were top priority following the committee’s three-year hiatus.

“I was a little nervous about what results we would get and who would commit to work on any projects we developed,” says Marybeth Gardam, CvD Committee Chair. “But we’ve identified some really neat projects and some realistic priorities. Now we just need more hands on deck!”

The CvD Committee meets every third Tuesday at 8:30 pm eastern/7:30 pm central/6:30 pm mountain/5:30 pm pacific.

Read on to see what the committee is up to. Then contact Marybeth Gardam, Committee Chair, for info about how to connect with this hardworking committee of activists.

First Priority: Educating About Corporate Threats to Democracy

GOAL 1: The Committee made a commitment to FINALLY revise and update the extremely important WILPF US resource, the “corporate study guide” from the early 2000s, “Challenge Corporate Power: Assert the Peoples Rights.” This course has been educating the public about the way unfettered corporate power has been encroaching on human and constitutional rights since the 1600s.

The last edition covered history up to around 2009. But since then, the Supreme Court’s collusion with corporate power has been restated again and again, including its disastrous Citizens United decision. None of that was covered in the most recent version of the course, so many organizations have asked us over the last nine years to revise the course. It was originally produced by some of WILPF’s most committed members: Virginia Rasmussen, Jan Edwards, Molly Morgan, Mary Zepernick, and Jim and Tomi Allison, among others.

Following in these authors’ footsteps is a heavy responsibility. “This course, more than any other factor in America, put the words ‘corporate personhood’ into the public discourse,” Gardam says. “The fact that the person who asked Mitt Romney the question at the Iowa State Fair about ‘corporate personhood’ was a graduate of our corporate study course is ample evidence of our impact nationally.”

The committee members working on updating the course are led by Shoshana Osofsky (NJ) and Marybeth Gardam (FL). Part of the committee’s plan is for the entire committee to read and help edit a new version of the course, in order to gather the collective wisdom of the committee. A first draft of the revised course might be ready as early as January, Gardam hopes.

GOAL 2: Creating an Audio Book. Because we recognize that vast numbers of Americans don’t read any longer, we’re looking at ways to get our message out by recording articles and excerpts from books, and even potentially recording part of our corporate study course, and marketing an Audio Book that focuses on feminist leadership in the area of defeating corporate power and creating an economy that works for everyone, not just the 1%.

Mary Sanderson (Madison WI) and Marci Henzi (Pittsburgh PA) are uncovering ways to move this project forward with help from the rest of the committee, especially Tana Hartman (NC) and Rickey Gard Diamond (VT). The Audio Book may be a fundraiser for WILPF and could be part of the Feminist Tool Kit. The committee foresees having original authors and WILPF activists record their work.

Second Priority: Changing the Economy

An economy that is no longer working for most Americans is continuing to prop up late stage Capitalism. If we want system change, changing the economy is going to be key. Our ONE WILPF Call speaker on Sept. 12th, feminist economist and environmentalist Gwen Hallsmith put it really well when she said the keys for transition to sustainability are: Ownership, Money, Markets, Management, and Methods. “OMMMM.”

GOAL 3: The CvD Committee heartily agrees and has made addressing economic system change a priority with a new project, “Building & Promoting a Feminist Economic Toolkit.” The entire committee is contributing to this toolkit but the effort is being led by Rickey Gard Diamond (VT) and Marybeth Gardam (FL).

The toolkit will be divided into categories so activists can choose from topics like Advocating for Public Banking, Money & Currency Policy, Cooperative Business Development, Democratized Sustainable Energy, Planning Livable Cities (gentrification and homelessness), and other topics.

GOAL 4: Advocating for Public Banking. Using a lot of the tools that are already out there and are being proven successful in California, we’ll be providing talking points, educational materials, and a HOW TO guide to begin the Public Banking dialogue in any city, or to join activists already making a difference.

This effort is being led by Randa Solick and Nancy Price who report great success with the passage of the Public Banking legislation in California; now awaiting approval by the Governor.

GOAL 5: Activism to Get Money Out of Elections

Since 2010 WILPF US has endorsed and supported what is now known as the “We The People Amendment,” as promoted by our longtime allies Move to Amend and United To Amend. We’ll be continuing to encourage activism by WILPF members to pass the amendment and raise the need for it within their communities. Another up-and-coming effort to identify the CORRUPTION that has multiplied since Citizens United is the organization www.RepresentUS.org. We’ll also be helping our members understand what that is about and how to connect with them.

CvD will be updating their website presence on the WILPF US website this fall. Watch for updates there.

This is a fun group of women to work with, doing really important work. Please consider joining us. Contact mbgardam@gmail.com. We’re committed to moving the work forward effectively. We won’t waste your time.

Post date: Tue, 10/01/2019 - 06:19

By Mary Hanson Harrison
Des Moines Branch

More days to celebrate are coming up SOON! The US Food Sovereignty Alliance is presenting their 2019 Food Sovereignty Prize on October 10 in Ferguson, Missouri (we are a part of this organization). WILPF Des Moines hosted several Food Sovereignty Prize ceremonies over the last ten years.

We are also invited to attend The Resurgence: 2019 North American Forest & Climate Movement Convergence from October 11-14 in the Shawnee Forest, Herod, Illinois, culminating on Indigenous People’s Day.

Please see below and review the websites for more information and actions!

Food Sovereignty Prize, October 10, 2019: Ferguson, Missouri

This yearly prize by the US Food Sovereignty Alliance recognizes “the inspirational efforts demonstrated by grassroots organizations and networks seeking to realize the right to people’s food sovereignty and the scaling of agroecology.”

Here is the invitation from USFSA: If you are able to attend, the ceremony begins at 7:30 pm (central) at the First Presbyterian Church of Ferguson on 401 Darst Rd, Ferguson, MO 63135. People will begin gathering at 7:15 pm. RSVP to info@usfoodsovereigntyalliance.org or online at bit.ly/fsp19 so we know how much flan to make!

You can livestream the event on facebook.com/USFoodSovAlliance – join during the event or host a “watch party” later in the week.

This year’s Domestic Honoree is Urban Tilth. Urban Tilth was founded in 2005 with the mission of building more sustainable, just, and healthy food systems in West Contra Coast County, California. In addition to coordinating two school gardens, the organization operates five community gardens and small urban farms for growing and distributing thousands of pounds of culturally-appropriate produce each year. Guaranteeing healthy food in public schools has been a priority as well as popular education on the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables for a well-balanced diet.

The 2019 International Honoree is Plan Pueblo a Pueblo. El Plan Socialista de Producción, Distribución, y Consumo de Alimentos Pueblo a Pueblo (The People to People Socialist Plan of Production, Distribution, and Consumption) started in 2015 with the establishment of a network to bridge rural-urban divides in Venezuela. Plan Pueblo a Pueblo purchases fruits, vegetables, tubers, legumes, basic grains, meat, eggs, and sugar from small producers. Organizers distribute the food to urban consumers at prices more affordable than products sold in conventional markets like street vendors and stores.

The Resurgence, October 11-14, 2019: Shawnee Forest, Herod, Illinois

The next day after the presentation of the USFSA Food Sovereignty Prize, there will be a caravan going to the Shwanee Forest for The Resurgence: 2019 North American Forest & Climate Movement Convergence.

According to the organizers, “This is not another conference. This is a call to action to radically transform the economic and political systems that drive climate change, forest destruction & the commodification of life.”

This convergence will provide space to:

Build capacity to analyze, expose and confront the root causes of climate change & forest destruction
Challenge false solutions and amplify real, community-based alternatives
Create momentum to build and broaden strategies and tactics of resistance for effective action
Develop concrete plans, strategies and actions to carry forward after the event

For more information about either event, contact Mary Hanson Harrison at harrison0607@msn.com

Des Moines Acts Locally on Climate Change

As we all know, climate change is happening now from India to Paris, from Greenland to Iowa! Because of the paralysis of our federal and state governments in regard to important actions we need to be taking at this time to guarantee a healthy and livable planet, we must begin to act in urgency at the local level—in our towns and cities—to promote 100% renewables, energy efficiency, and local resilience in the face of extreme weather!

Citizens in Des Moines have formed a Citizen Taskforce on Sustainability, chaired by Des Moines Branch member Carolyn Uhlenhake Walker. The group is working hard to get Des Moines and surrounding areas to adopt Climate Action Plans that reach net zero carbon emissions and resiliency in hopefully the next decade!

Post date: Tue, 10/01/2019 - 06:00

Boston youth lead the large climate strike rally on September 20, 2019. Photo by Eileen Kurkoski.

Boston and Pittsburgh WILPF Branch members participated in their local climate strike events on September 20, 2019.

According to estimates, this global climate strike rally was likely the largest ever, with millions around the world taking part.

(We know other branches joined local rallies, too! Send your photos and captions to newsletter@wilpfus.org and they will be run in the second October eNews).

Boston Youth Lead the Way

Boston Climate Strike Eileen Kurkoski reported from Boston: “Over 10,000 people gathered at Boston City Hall on September 20, 2019, for the Climate Strike rallies. Then the students led a walk to the Massachusetts State House.”

Eileen made a 35-minute video of the walkers ascending Park Street. Joan Ecklein and Marie Louise Jackson Miller also participated in the event.

“The spirit was contagious and the signs were clever,” Eileen wrote.

Pittsburgh Raging Grannies Serenade Rally Participants

According to Edith Bell, “The rally at noon was in downtown Pittsburgh at the City County Building, and was organized by students and 350.org. The local newspaper estimated 600 in attendance.”

Edith explained that “the local Raging Grannies offered to be on the program, but the official roster was full, so we decided to busk on the street where all the participants were walking by on their way to the rally. We sang environmental songs such as ‘Fracking Song’ (to the tune of ‘Cheek to Cheek’) and ‘The Planet’s Getting Hot’ (to the tune of ‘A Bushel and a Peck’), plus the Woody Guthrie version of ‘This is Land is your Land,’ and of course our Grannies introductory song.”

Photo: WILPF Pittsburgh members with the Pittsburgh Raging Grannies at the Climate Rally in downtown Pittsburgh on September 20, 2019.

“We repeated the repertoire as more people walked by and stopped to listen. It was actually better than on stage, because people could actually hear the words.” She added, “Our Raging Grannies and WILPF members are of course overlapping.”

Post date: Tue, 10/01/2019 - 05:48

One of many 1980s-90s posters in an exhibit organized by Westchester WILPF, this one by a 15-year-old which asks, “Does Anyone Really Win?”

By Linda Conte
Westchester Branch

The newly revitalized branch of Westchester WILPF organized an exhibition of many peace posters and essays which were created by students in Westchester schools for the WILPF Peace Contests in the 1980s and 90s. The exhibit was titled “Imagining a Peaceful World: Westchester Student’s Aspirations from the 1980s-90s.”

With submissions from grade one through high school, Westchester youngsters shared their hopes and insights to achieving the goal of a peaceful world. And now, almost 30 years later, their messages still have power and hope.

Let Us Join Together View a slideshow of the exhibit and some of the posters.

The exhibit ran at Mamaroneck Public Library, at 136 Prospect Avenue, for the month of September. On September 22nd (one day after the official celebration), there was a reception and celebration of United National International Day of Peace.

Westchester WILPF will be sponsoring another youth peace project for all Westchester students in 2020. Sign up for information at westchesterwilpf@gmail.com or send your email address to that address with the subject “2020 Peace Projects.”

May peace prevail!

Two Book Donations Honor Stelle Sheller

Post date: Mon, 09/30/2019 - 06:19

Volunteer Adrienne Derstine, pictured here (on right), receives a donation of books to the Parkway Northwest High School from the Greater Philadelphia WILPF Branch. Branch members Marlena Santoyo (on left) and Tina Shelton (center) delivered the books.

By Tina Shelton
Co-chair, Greater Philadelphia Branch

The Greater Philadelphia Branch of WILPF has made two donations of books in honor of Stelle Sheller and her years of staunch devotion to working for the common good. Stelle Sheller was a longtime member of WILPF and served for many years as branch treasurer. She passed away in November 2018.

Greater Philadelphia Falls Library On Monday, August 5, 2019, three books were delivered to the Falls of Schuylkill Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. This branch was a favorite of Stelle’s and her membership in the book club, as well as her experience coordinating WILPF events there, made it an easy choice.

Louise Lisi, WILPF member, delivered the donated books to the assistant librarian of the Branch. The books donated to the Falls of Schuylkill Branch were winners of the Jane Addams Peace Award, books noted for their advancement of the causes of peace and justice. They included Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai, Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome, and Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson.

On August 12, 2019, three books were delivered to the Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Justice, where Stelle served as a board member and advocate for many years. The books were received by the Frison Center for Peace library by volunteer Adrienne Derstine, and were delivered by WILPF members Tina Shelton and Marlena Santoyo. The books donated to the Frison Center included Midnight Without a Moon by Linda Williams Jackson, Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi, and The Enemy: Detroit 1954 by Sara Holbrook.

For more information, contact Tina Shelton: tinadese@verizon.net.

Post date: Mon, 09/16/2019 - 10:28

September 13, 2019

Darien Elyse De Lu
WILPF US President

"Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world." -- Nelson Mandela

A short answer is a lot! Just look at the September eNews: Mobilize Against the US War Machine, Campaigning for a Nuclear-Free Future, Arrests at Livermore Lab, Moving into Social Media, Gaza, Climate Crisis, Korea, Hiroshima/Nagasaki, Suffrage. WILPFers take action, because we have a vision of a better world. And right now, there's a special opportunity to shape our vision and action to make a difference, by running for the national board. (But I'll get back to that....) As I headed off to one of many vigils, I felt good to be President of WILPF -- a national organization of savvy and concerned activists! Yet, in the face of mass murders and government-sponsored abuse of children and their families, of hurricane devastation and climate refugees turned away, I have to ask: What is WILPF's strength? What can we do?

Maybe you, like many other WILPFers, are a good potential board candidate because you're someone who can see "the big picture." Yet do you, do we, also see the small picture? When the day is balmy, with a warm and gentle breeze, do we allow ourselves to sit out in the morning air? Can we savor the pleasures of a walk with a friend or a break with a cup of tea?

Making the Connections

In the face of so many global horrors -- and with so many of them taking place within our own country -- do we still allow ourselves to feel? We WILPFers pride ourselves on "making the connections", but are we connected to ourselves?

We the members are WILPF's greatest strength.WILPF US is strong because of the people we are, politically and personally. Our political work of building a better world must include constructing sustainable lives for ourselves. I think we have to care for ourselves, in order to care about others. In making space in our lives for pleasure and enjoyment, we increase our capacity to share mutual support. Supporting each other in a circle of encouragement and determination. we strengthen WILPF, and we strengthen the peace and justice movement.

How can I jump from pleasure and enjoyment back to the board elections? I can, because I have met many of you, and I know that so many of us delight in making a difference. What a deep pleasure there is in taking action to help change the world, working together with other remarkable and committed individuals!

Weaving Our Work Together

This board election offers WILPFers a special opportunity -- to be one of the women (or people) combining their skills to guide WILPF through the next two and three years. That work, of the entire board team, supports our program and two very key board positions, the Program Chairs.

The vision of the WILPFers who run for and are elected as Program Chairs will help shape WILPF's Program Plan -- what an opportunity! The recently proposed "Program 2.0" would increase the importance of our Program Chairs and restructure our political work in key ways, to set WILPF US on a much more intentional and strategic path.

Under the 2.0 proposal, the two Program Chairs, working with the Program Committee, have the opportunity to set integrated and interconnected priorities, identifying broad themes for US program work. In multiple ways, members and branches will bring their voices to shaping these priorities and goals -- and gain the chance to be part of more coherent national program activities. Issue committees will develop activities and projects in alignment.

Program 2.0 Proposal and the Next Board -- Speak up, Step up, Now!

I invite all members to read about and offer suggestions for Program 2.0. I especially encourage those who might consider running for Program Chair to see how 2.0 can work.

It's not only the Program Chair positions that offer a chance to make a difference. Any one of the next board members may be among you readers -- board members who will weave together visions, skills, and actions to keep our promises alive, inspired by our foremothers' sacrifices and foresight.

I call on you all: show up and/or speak up! Support and encourage the strength that is WILPF US. If you can't run for the board, find other ways to help. Make the effort to seek out someone to nominate for the board; sometimes we women need the affirmation of others to consider running . I did! Also, you encourage board candidates when you offer your support in a the branch or at the local level.

The nomination deadline is October 2, and the deadline to submit a complete application for candidacy is October 6. Find further details in the recent eAlert.

I look forward to enjoying the next board -- with feeling, caring, and committed WILPFers!

Darien-signature

Darien Elyse De Lu
WILPF US President

Post date: Fri, 08/30/2019 - 10:25

YOU Can Make a Difference!
Nominate or Apply for the National Board!

The 2023 Nomination Deadline is Saturday, November 4, 2023.
The 2023 Application for Candidacy Deadline is Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Do you know a WILPF member with commitment and passion who would help as a valuable national board member? Nominate her (or him) by Saturday, November 4.

Could it be you? Contact the Nominating Committee to get more information and apply by Sunday, November 12.

When Women Work Together, Amazing Things Happen!

Nominate or run for one of the open positions

Nominations and applications are now open for the following positions for full or partial terms, beginning in January 2024:

Secretary: term ends January 2027
Personnel Committee Chair: term ends January, 2026
Membership Development Committee Chair: term ends January 2026
One Development Committee Chair or two Co-Chairs (running together): term ends January, 2025
One Program Committee Chair: term ends January 2027 (George Friday currently serves as one of two Program Committee Chairs)
Nominating Committee Chair: term ends January 2025
One At Large Board Member: Term ends January 2027 (Phillip Cole currently serves as one of two At Large Board Members)

NOW Is a Crucial Time
WILPF needs a full board as we navigate these historic times. Our unique outlook links corporate greed and patriarchy to militarization and war. WILPF is urgently needed in the peace movement!

Board members determine the direction and work of WILPF US in multiple ways:

Make policy decisions and take actions for program, membership building, and fund-raising
Participate in WILPF US deliberations on policy, budget, and other issues
Help shape and develop WILPF at the national level
Develop respectful working relationships with sister board members

Board membership comes with many benefits!

Leadership growth: Whether fairly new to leadership or having played a leadership role for many years, board members develop new skills and enjoy the stretch of spreading leadership wings.
Personal growth: Enjoy increasing confidence. As your abilities grow, so do you!
Mentorship and guidance: Board members are not alone! Former board members have agreed to advise new board members as desired.
Enjoyment of working relationships with other intelligent, energetic, and talented people like yourself.
Being a part of change!

Please contact the Nominating Committee to find out more about the qualifications for and responsibilities of Board members.

Contact the Nominating Committee at nominatingcommittee@wilpfus.org and provide your phone number and time zone to get facilitate a phone conversation.

To run for office or nominate someone for a position
Download the nomination form and/or the board application packet.

For descriptions and responsibilities of the board positions, contact the Nominating Committee at nominatingcommittee@wilpfus.org.

Hear what current and former board members have to say about their board experiences!

Questions? We look forward to hearing from you:
nominatingcommittee@wilpfus.org. Provide your phone number and time zone, please!

Post date: Thu, 08/29/2019 - 08:38

Swedish 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in a march for the environment and the climate organized by students in Brussels, February 2019. Credit: Liv Oeian / Shutterstock.com.

By Nancy Price
Co-chair, Earth Democracy

From September 20th to the 23rd, a series of actions and meetings will bring youth and people of all ages together to demand transformative action to address the climate crisis, and to mobilize for peace and against the US War Machine. Here’s how to join, endorse, and support these important actions.

The Global Climate Strike: September 20

On Friday, September 20, the next Global Climate Strike will take place and you can participate in various ways.

After Greta Thunberg walked out of her school on a Friday to Strike for the Climate, students all over the world have joined her in Friday walkouts. Earlier this year, Greta and 47 youth activists from around the world issued an emergency call to everyone of all ages to join them in a mass intergenerational mobilization on Friday, September 20, to demand actions to keep global warming under 2 degrees Centigrade to avert as much as possible global catastrophe for people and the planet.

On September 20, millions of people around the world are expected to walk out of their workplaces, homes, and schools to join young climate strikers. Strike events are added every day to the country maps worldwide and to the US map.

September 20 will be the world’s largest ever climate mobilization, when many millions will take to the streets in rallies, marches, and other activities to demand action by local and national governments. We must be the leaders, when our elected representatives refuse to lead.

Whatever you do—support your child or grandchild to walk out of school, walk out of your job, or simply join a protest or rally—we know that the more people join together we can build the movement to bring about real and lasting change in energy and climate policy.

Here’s what to do:

Find an action near you on the map here.
If you don’t find an event near you, get started planning to host a strike event here and you can tune in to training sessions for how to host a climate strike here.
Find information, and a variety of resources, including media and art here.
Be sure to order your Climate Justice+Women+Peace cards and WILPF Climate Justice+Women+Peace and People and Planet before Profit banners, WILPF sashes and buttons now.

UN Climate and Peace Events

On Saturday, September 21, the UN is hosting a Youth Summit.

On Monday, September 23, the UN is hosting the Climate Action Summit. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling on all leaders to come to the UN with concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020 in line with reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent over the next decade, and to net zero emissions by 2050. He calls the effort a “race to the top” among countries, companies, cities, and civil society that is needed to achieve the objectives of the 2015 Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. What will President Trump and our UN Ambassador’s response be to this challenge?

September 20-23, the People's Mobilization to Stop the US War Machine is a series of actions planned while the UN General Assembly meets. “The US War Machine threatens our very existence as it gobbles up more fossil fuels than any other institution, spewing greenhouse gases and driving climate chaos. It destroys the land, water, and air, and threatens the life of every species with its war games, weapons tests, military bases built in sensitive ecosystems and dumping of depleted uranium and other toxins. And, with nuclear weapons now on hair-trigger alert, the US War Machine has moved the doomsday clock dangerously close to midnight.” Endorse the People’s Mobilization here.

Friday, Sept. 20 – People’s Climate Strike. Starts at Union Square at noon to bring messages connecting militarism and the climate crisis.
Saturday, Sept. 21 – Puerto Rico Independence March starting at 11 am at 59th St. Columbus Circle and marching to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the UN. It’s time to decolonize Puerto Rico.
Sunday, Sept. 22 – People’s Mobilization to Stop the US War Machine and Save the Planet, Herald Square, 2 pm.
Monday, Sept. 23 – Forum: “A Path to International Peace: Realizing the Vision of the United Nations Charter.” Location: Community Church of New York 40 East 35th St., New York City, 10016. Time: 6:30 pm. You must register in advance.

The Climate Challenge and COP25

Alarmingly, the authors of a recent article, "Scientists Have Been Underestimating the Pace of Climate Change," write that we may have much less time to address the climate crisis than we think – maybe only 10-12 years to end our dependence on fossil fuels. Can those national leaders the UN Secretary General brings together on September 23rd rise to this challenge?

Moreover, the UN’s best guess is that unchecked climate change could produce a billion climate refugees this century. As Bill McKibben declares: “Think about that for a moment — a billion people whose lives would be utterly, permanently, devastatingly upended.” Already, we are witness to millions of climate refugees fleeing from food insecurity and famine due to drought and loss of water for household needs, and from disastrous weather events and floods. If the ferocity of hurricanes, tornadoes, and disastrous floods increases, where will our climate refuges seek safety?

COP 25 Challenge: As you join an event on September 20, keep in mind that wherever you live, these days of mobilization at the UN and in New York City are the prelude to what must be even greater organizing in December. December 2-12 is when the 25th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP25), the decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), meets in Santiago, Chile. Remember, the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement is voluntary. What will our demands be in December and what will be the outcome of this meeting? This could be our last chance to put people and planet before profit!

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