WILPF women from around the US and International WILPF converged on the campus of Wayne State University in Detroit July 31-August 3 for the 32nd Triennial WILPF-US Congress. Attendees joined Detroiters protesting the shutoff of water at a rally August 1, in solidarity with the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. They approved a resolution at the final plenary on August 3 calling on the Detroit Water and Sewage Department to implement the original 2005 Detroit Water Affordability Program, and not privatize this public resource.

Special thanks to US Section President Mary Hanson Harrison for setting the tone of the Congress; to Laura Dewey, Congress coordinator; Ellen Schwartz, Congress Committee chair; Joan Bazar, Program Committee chair; and especially to the 130 attendees, every one of whom came prepared to make a positive contribution.

Congress heard from International President Adilia Caravaca, longtime Secretary General Edith Ballantyne and Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin on Thursday. Detroit activists introduced us to their struggles Friday night, and a lively crew of talented musicians had the crowd clapping and swaying along Saturday night.

During the daytime participants shared updates and new concerns in 35 workshops – watch for outcome reports and suggestions for moving forward over the coming weeks. Additional resolutions on Gaza, international water rights, US-Mexico border issues, Monsanto, and nuclear weapons-free zones will also be posted. 

International WILPF guests along with Adilia Caravaca (Costa Rica) and Edith Ballantyne (Geneva), included vice presidents Kirsten Greback (Sweden) and Martha Jean Baker (UK), workshop presenters Shilpa Pandey (India) and Felicity Ruby (Australia).

Development chair Robin Lloyd announced that $600,000 has been pledged so far in the Grow WILPF million dollar campaign. See the report on crowdfunding by the Centennial Coordinator for additional ways to support this effort.
Our gratitude to the Detroit Branch for outstanding hospitality. Solidarity and love to the Detroit activists who shared their struggle with us: Maureen Taylor, Michigan Welfare Rights Organization; Gloria House, civil rights activist and retired Wayne State University professor; Dianne Feeley, Detroit Evictions Defense; Michele Martinez, environmental justice activist; Claudette Wilson, D15 minimum wage campaign; and moderator Harriet Saperstein.

Performers on Saturday night were One Race Human (hip-hop emcee ‘Mizzion’ and ‘Mr. Peace’ ), ‘Nique LoveRhodes (hip-hop artist), Mike Fall aka ‘Strats’ (beat boxer extraordinaire). Darrin Breil   (Breilstyle sound of roots, rhythm, rural, urban, country, modern and classic) and Ruby Woods  (circle songs, goddess chants and original songs a cappella).

Image: WILPF members join the Freedom Friday rally on behalf of Detroit residents. August 1,2014. Photo by Heather Wellman