By Jan Corderman, Des Moines Branch and WILPF US Treasurer
The comfortable space we were renting in Boston has been sold, and the new owner plans to move in.
Our current address is:
PO Box 13075
Des Moines, IA 50310
Our phone number remains the same:
617-266-0999.
Submitted by the Development Committee of WILPF US
You can honor the life of a fellow peace activist by contributing a MEMORIAL GIFT or a TRIBUTE GIFT to WILPF US to celebrate a life, a birthday, or another milestone. We will be making available attractive cards that you can send to let your friend or your friend’s family members know of your gift to WILPF in her or his honor! These cards will be available at Congress, and we will also be sending out order forms and samples, via snail mail, to all branches.
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We are sad to lose our long-time member and faithful advocate Yvonne Logan of the St. Louis Branch. Yvonne was a tireless peace and labor rights activist and was especially interested in peace education and nuclear disarmament. There is no better way to celebrate Yvonne’s life than to contribute to the organization she loved so deeply. If you’d like to make a contribution as a tribute to Yvonne’s legacy in WILPF, please send a check made out to PDF/WILPF, P.O. Box 13075, Des Moines, IA 50310. Please note in the memo line “Yvonne Logan Legacy.” A card will be sent to Yvonne’s family noting your gift in her honor. Read more about Yvonne Logan in the “In Memoriam” piece in this July 2017 eNews. |
Thirty Seconds to Midnight: The Final Wake Up Call
By Judy Karas, Chair, WILPF Monterey County Branch
In early June, the Monterey County Branch hosted two film screenings and discussions with visiting filmmaker Regis Tremblay. The first was Thirty Seconds to Midnight: The Final Wake Up Call. The following day, we presented the documentary of Tremblay’s 2016 Russian trip, Je Suis Russia, a counter-narrative to the image that the US media has created of Russia and of President Putin. The first film was preceded by mention of the UN negotiations for a nuclear weapons’ ban treaty that was held in New York City in mid-June.
On June 24, our WILPF branch cosponsored a Citizen Advocacy Workshop with Kevan Insko, Director of Program and Organizational Development for the Friends Committee on Legislation of California (FCLCA) at the Monterey Peace and Justice Center. Open to the public, the workshop focused on grassroots advocacy and training on how to lobby California legislators. Local activists and interested persons attended. Included in the workshop was a discussion of issues people are interested in and wish to work on in their communities and on a state level; how to read a bill, how to develop talking points for writing your legislator, and how to plan for a visit to the legislator’s office; and resources that are available to activists and people who want to be more involved. Other sponsors of the event were the Monterey Peace and Justice Center and the Monterey Peninsula Friends Meeting (Quakers).
Image from the poster for the Tucson Ban the Bomb event, sponsored by Tucson WILPF.
By Deborah Livingston, Co-Chair, Tucson Branch
We had a good crowd of about 75 people at the Unitarian Universalist Church on June 17 at our Women’s “March” to Ban the Bomb event in Tucson.
This event took place in conjunction with marches and events all over this country and the world to support the landmark UN resolution for negotiations on a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons. The talks are going on now at the United Nations in New York City. Sadly, the United States is not taking part.
There were several knowledgeable speakers from Physicians for Social Responsibly, the Sierra Club, and Veterans for Peace. The Tucson Raging Grannies were all dressed in black and white and sang many moving songs.
WILPF Tucson worked on the event with several groups, including Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Tucson Peace Center, Nuclear Resister, Veterans for Peace, and the group called Culture of Peace Alliance, which is traveling to San Francisco with several young people who will be sailing on the Golden Rule peace ship. (Read more about the Golden Rule.)
By Millee Livingston, WILPF Life Member-at-Large
Support Growing Peace Camp, for children and teens, this summer. Growing Peace Camp, in Auburn, California, has been around for 31 years. The first Children’s Peace Camp was held at a WILPF Region 1 meeting in Missoula, Montana, in 1986.
WILPF members and branches, as well as organizations and individuals in the community, support Growing Peace Camp with donations. This year, the grant from the JAPA Jones Children’s Education Fund from the Humboldt WILPF Branch has been approved. Previous grant approvals have come from the Sacramento Valley Branch.
Growing Peace Camp will be held July 24-28, 2017, 9 am-1 pm. The cost is $85 per camper, with discounts for more than one child. It is our policy that no child will be turned away due to lack of funds, and all donations to help pay for tuition and program expenses are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Arts Action Academy, a DBA of Placer People of Faith Together, a 501(c)(3).
Last year we served more children than ever before, with over 100 campers from kindergarten through middle school. At Growing Peace Camp, we are able to teach children and youth about peace, about diversity, about learning about other cultures and how to get along, and about finding constructive ways to solve problems.
The theme for this year is “We Are the Future.” Using nonviolent, peaceful methods to live together for a week and respect each other are skills that are needed today more than ever and can be used by the campers for the rest of their lives. Through music, art, dance, drama, food, and nature lore, campers learn how their behavior can impact their future world. A Special Buddy program will be available to accompany children with special needs.
For more information and to donate, contact Millee Livingston, WILPF Life Member at 530-887-1775 or milleelivingston@gmail.com.
View a video about Growing Peace Camp 2014
Transportation To/From Congress:
Conference Facility Address:
Student Center West (SCW) – (UIC Building 938) 828 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago IL 60612
NOTE: the “South Wolcott” is very important. There is a North Wolcott with the same address, two miles away.
Dorms Address:
Polk Street Residence Hall (PSRH) – (UIC Building 937) 1933 West Polk Street, Chicago IL 60612
See UIC Westside Visitor Map.
Options:
The cost of transportation and travel arrangements to and from Congress are the responsibility of the attendee. Chicago is a transportation hub, serviced by two airports (O’Hare and Midway), Amtrak and Greyhound and other public transportation. Some helpful links follow*:
Amtrak: closest station is Union Station, 225 S Canal St, Chicago IL 60606
Approx. 10 min taxi ride to conference facility/dorm for estimated $7-12 taxi fare, depending on traffic.
Greyhound: closest station is 630 W Harrison St, Chicago IL 60607
Approx. 5 min taxi ride to conference facility/dorm for estimated $5-10 taxi fare, depending on traffic.
Which airport to use?
Your decision regarding which airport to fly into will be based on flight availability and airfare. Both airports offer transportation services to/from each airport as provided in the links below.
What transportation to use to/from airports?
Your decision regarding transit to/from the airport will be based on what you feel most comfortable using. There are many good options, as provided in the to/from links below. It is best to make to/from decisions closest to the date of travel, when transit authorities will have the most updated information regarding fares and what is available/scheduled.
Note: The WILPF Congress organizers are not arranging ride-sharing.
Public Transportation Options:
Chicago Transit Authority: runs the “L” (which stands for “elevated train”) with connections at both airports.
Call RTA Travel Information Center with any questions and for updated schedules: 312-836-7000.
For reduced fares on the “L,” Seniors, disabled and Medicare recipients need a permit in advance to qualify. For Reduced Fare Permits, go here.
Metra: commuter train station, with connections near O’Hare.
Call Metra Passenger Services Department at 312-322-6777 weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. or the RTA Travel Information Center at 312-836-7000 on evenings and weekends with any questions and for updated schedules.
For details regarding the public transit options listed above, go here.
Other:
Taxis:
Taxis are the most convenient way to travel to/from the airports. Go to an airport taxi stand to be sure you get a licensed taxi driver. For current fares, check the City of Chicago taxi passenger information website. Share a ride with another Congress attendee and split the fare to save money.
Uber: car for hire; fares vary by time of day, date and availability
Lyft: car for hire; fares vary by time of day, date and availability of shared riding
*We do not endorse, verify or confirm any of the results provided on the transit website links above. It is best to contact the transport provider for up-to-date schedules and fees.
For questions:
Contact the Congress Coordinator: Chris Wilbeck, chris.wilpf@gmail.com or 515-229-6988
The Cloud Gate, Millennium Park, Chicago. Pixabay.com.
Let’s Come Together in Chicago and REIMAGINE the Future!
It’s time to RISE UP, REMEMBER and RECLAIM an agenda for People and The Planet. Let’s come together in Chicago for our 33rd Triennial Congress, Thurs July 27–Sun July 30, and REIMAGINE a new future for WILPF and the world!
Registration deadline is July 1, so REGISTER today!
OVERVIEW
The Congress program evolves over four days. After our Thursday night opening plenary peace panel, we move into Friday with Issue Workshops, which lead into the Issue Committee Roundtables. Friday evening’s plenary panel will feature Chicago activists sharing their work and experiences. On Saturday, we’ll continue with Skill-Building Workshops to focus on the tools needed to move our work forward. In the afternoon, we’re off to Hull House to celebrate the humanity of Jane Addams and her colleagues at the Settlement House and the immigrants and refugees that made it work. We end, on Sunday, with discussions on how to realize our hopes and dreams with concrete plans for the next three years
DEADLINES & DETAILS
1. Registration: Due July 1
Full Congress Access starts at $395 and includes all meetings, 6 meals, and lodging (shared room). Come EARLY or stay LATE and EXPERIENCE the wild and windy city of Chicago! Take the Pre-Congress Chicago Neighborhoods and Diversity Bus Tour for $25 (limited seating).
You must register by 7/1 (if lodging is needed).
2. I AM WILPF Tribute Video: Submit photos & videos by June 25
What is the Tribute Video? In lieu of a paper tribute book, the soon-to-be Brooklyn WILPF Branch will be creating a Tribute Video. It will be filled with “I AM WILPF” proclamations, photo and video tributes of members you wish to honor. Instead of submitting “ads” (like you did for the printed tribute books), just send a photo or video with information, and we will put it in the Tribute Video. Submit videos and photos from marches and protests, too. Simple videos taken with your phone work! It’s that easy!
For more details on what and how to submit, see the Congress Member Showcase page.
3. Branch Exhibit Table: Reserve by June 25
Reserve a Branch Exhibit Table to share your branch or issue committee story with others. $50 reserves a full table, $25 a half table. Reservation details are on the Congress Member Showcase page.
4. Program Line-Up
Check out the exciting line-up of speakers and workshops planned!
Thursday Keynote Speaker: Phyllis Bennis, Director, New Internationalism Project, Institute for Policy Studies.
Workshops and Issue Committee Discussions will be action-oriented work sessions. Workshop leaders with expertise in the subject matter will facilitate the discussions among attendees. Groups will report back on Sunday with next-step action items determined by the group.
If you would like to lead a discussion for one of the workshops planned, contact Congress Program Co-Chairs, Nancy Price at nancytprice39@gmail.com or Robin Lloyd at robinlloyd8@gmail.com.
5. JACBA Book Corner
The Des Moines WILPF Branch will be hosting a Book Corner on Friday and Saturday, featuring a selection of books from the 2017 Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards (JACBA). Browse and register to win a book for donation to your community. WILPF branches are also invited to share stories of their successful JACBA book programs. For more details, see the Congress Member Showcase page.
Congress is where the MAGIC happens. Where committed activists and issue expects come together to GET THINGS DONE. And, in the process, we'll have some FUN!
Don't miss out! REGISTER Today!
We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!
WILPF National Congress Planning Committee
P.S. Visit the Congress website for ALL Congress details. Or, contact the Congress Coordinator, Chris Wilbeck, at 515-229-6988 or chris.wilpf@gmail.com.
Randa Solick, Judy Geer, and Epi Bodhi at the People’s Climate March, September 21, 2014, New York City. Credit: Nancy Price. Banner Design: Creative Independent Artist Front
By Nancy Price, Earth Democracy
Come to Congress in Chicago to Rise Up as Guardians of Future Generations to Reclaim an agenda for People and The Planet. There is a lot to decide about Earth Democracy’s next steps, and I’d love to hear your voice—in person!
We are at the tipping point of ecological and climate crises. There’s the gutting of the EPA, the administration’s position on global warming and the Paris Climate Treaty, and the accelerated development of fossil fuels and the associated infrastructure that’s scarring the landscape and polluting air, land, and water—and so much more. We are in a state of emergency.
Furthermore, the United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has notified Congress of the intent to renegotiate NAFTA. Additionally, Lighthizer wants to have the still-secret Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), involving 50 countries including the US, completed by late fall. These two agreements will have catastrophic, long-lasting impacts on people and the planet. More on NAFTA and TiSA in a future eNews.
At Congress, one of the issue workshops, “Global Warming: Food Sovereignty and Regenerative Agriculture,” will highlight how food sovereignty—that is, democratic decision-making over our food systems—is a way to oppose the corporate/industrial/chemical GMO–pushing food regime. In addition, the “Going Local: Democracy Tool Kit” and “Election 2018” workshops will offer opportunities to discuss the tools available to communities to assert community rights and rights of nature over corporate rights by passing local ordinances, and also what we must do to ensure election integrity, protect voting rights, and end gerrymandering.
These topic workshops complement the Issue Committee roundtables, when we’ll have the chance to evaluate past accomplishments and present challenges, opportunities, and next steps for Earth Democracy: how do we broaden the impact of our Climate Justice+Women+Peace and Human Right to Health and Safe Food campaigns?
How shall we create materials for the Earth Democracy subcommittees on the Human Right to Water and Health; Rights of Nature/Future Generation Guardianship; Food Democracy/Local Economy; and Global Warming/Renewable Energy? Will more people step up to chair these subcommittees? How can we use our listserve for better communication and involvement of members?
The skill-building workshops, especially “Effective Advocacy,” “Story-telling to Change the Narrative toward Peace and Freedom,” and “Creative Communication,” give us the chance to discuss how to be more effective with our election officials and with our messaging, using a variety of media in different situations and actions. In the WILPF US 101 workshop, the ONE WILPF CALLS and Solidarity actions will be discussed as ways to move forward the Earth Democracy agenda. See more in the program details.
As you can see, this Congress is the perfect time and opportunity to take the next steps to expand and refine our Earth Democracy mission and program . . . and I’d love to have you join us. Register now and I’ll see you there!
We’ll have an Earth Democracy table, so bring materials, pictures, and other items that you'd like to share and have on display.
Please let me know by email nancytprice39@gmail.com if you would like to be a presenter in the issue or skill-buildings workshops. And, I look forward to having you join in the Earth Democracy Issue Committee Roundtable.
Credit: Pixabay.com
The graduating fifth grade students of Trinity Elementary School in Menlo Park, CA, have awarded WILPF US their World Wide Peace Award, which consists of a letter from the students, a medallion, and $100, which the students raise.
The members of WILPF Palo Alto are participating in an event at Trinity Elementary School on June 5. They will tell the children about Jane Addams and present three of the JAPA Book Award books to the library. Video will be forthcoming.
The award letter to WILPF US is reproduced here:
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Dear Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Congratulations WILPF, Trinity School has chosen the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom to win our World Wide Peace Award! We have chosen WILPF to win this award because we think you are doing an amazing job for women’s rights. For example, we appreciate the “PeaceWomen Program” where equal rights for both men and women are insured. We also think that WILPF should win the award for your amazing work on the environment. Your Environment working group has done a lot about air and water pollution. The Heart of Trinity awards are given to the best organizations we find working on Human Rights, Environment, Peace, basic needs, medical needs, and many other issues. Trinity school gives these awards out for people to recognize these organizations’ amazing work. Trinity school students earned hundreds of dollars to help our environment, community around us, and around the world, and because of how you help many people we have decided to donate money to you! We earn our money during the first few months of school by doing chores and other kinds of things to help. As soon as time is up, we bring all the money to school and each class has a bucket. Also, you put silver coins and dollars in other bins and pennies in ours to make it competitive. We are happy to give some of the money to WILPF. You are supporting individual rights. We value peace and human rights and we think that you do very important things with these issues. One thing that WILPF works on is Women’s rights. You gather women from around the world to hold events and raise awareness about issues that some people don’t even know exist. By bringing amazing women together, WILPF will teach people that all people should be treated equally. We like that the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom works on many issues. Another issue WILPF works on is environmental concerns. We like the way that you focus on war and how it affects the environment because this is a very important issue that not a lot of people are thinking about. Thank you WILPF for helping our community and many issues around the world. We really think that you are a group of great people helping us all. A big and massive thanks from Roan, Gaia, Derek, Fifth Grade, Trinity School, Menlo Park, California. |
Founder of the Ojai WILPF Branch Nuri Ronaghy, fourth from left and standing between the banners, at the International Seminar for Peace and the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases. Credit: Cynthia Roberts.
By Cindy Domingo, chair of the Cuba, Women, and the Bolivarian Alliance Issues Committee
Return Guantanamo Naval Base to the Cuban People
Last month, WILPF members Cynthia Roberts, Nuri Ronaghy, and Alan Shorb attended the Fifth International Seminar for Peace and the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases in the town of Guantanamo, Cuba—the town adjacent to the illegally occupied US naval base.
Representatives from the US and around the world joined in issuing a statement demanding that the US return to the Cuban people the territory occupied by Guantanamo Naval Base and to end the economic, commercial, financial blockade of the country that is still in existence. Conference participants also called for the closure of foreign bases and military enclaves around the world, and immediate withdrawal of foreign occupation troops from countries where they have been deployed. Last, the statement also called for expanding efforts to disseminate the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and to condemn the imperialist powers and local oligarchy actions in Venezuela directed toward destroying the Bolivarian Revolution as a threat to peace in the entire region.
Please read the article by Cuba and the Bolivarian Alliance Issues Committee member Cynthia Roberts for a complete report on the conference and background on Guantanamo Naval Base.
WILPF US Section
PO Box 13075
Des Moines, IA 50310
Tel: 617-266-0999
