Reflecting on the Work, Life, and Legacy of June Krebs

June Krebs speaking, second from left. Photos courtesy of Karen Share, daughter of June Krebs.

By Tina Shelton, with Libby Frank and Sylvia Metzler
Greater Philadelphia Branch

June Krebs, a longtime member of WILPF, died on April 17, 2018.

June found a home in WILPF because her social justice spirit was at home in the WILPF community. She joined WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) in 1967 and was the local chair of the Greater Philadelphia Branch from 1994-2000. She led her worship community (Unitarian Society of Germantown) in a peace vigil for years beginning in December 2005, in response to our nation’s war-making in Iraq.  She received the Peace and Justice Dove Award from the local Branch.

June also opened her home and was a consistent welcoming presence for meetings, gatherings, and events. She hosted monthly meetings for WILPF for the last few years of her life.

She was always available to distribute literature, welcome people to meetings and lunches, and help at Mt. Airy Day and other events. She was not afraid to talk to members of the public about her ideas, using her oversized WILPF button as an icebreaker. When she received a visit from a WILPF member in the days before her death, the memory of Mt. Airy Day, one of June's favorite events, made her face light up with a smile!

One of the ways June carried her social justice spirit in recent years is by leading a current events group when she moved into her beloved retirement home. Each morning, after watching Democracy Now, she and her neighbors discussed current events because, she said, “residents need to stay aware of what’s happening in the world outside their Retirement Community.” In fact, the current news was so important to her, she frequently wrote to her current heroes and led a campaign for our Branch to give Elizabeth Warren the Peace and Justice Dove award that is given annually.

One of the benefits of being aware of cultural themes over many decades is that one becomes aware of the themes, or as the kids say, the “memes” of the day. In the last few years, it was not uncommon that as we sat around and discussed some logistics of current actions, June would become quiet. As the business would wind down, she would offer a saying that was on target and resonated with the rest of us as exactly what needed to be said to summarize. Hearing June's family call these her "Junisms" makes sense, as they were frequently her personal mottos.

Some of us white folks have been learning about social justice and racial justice, and we join in the struggle. If we are lucky, we become someone who walks the walk and talks the talk.

June lived the struggle.

At her beloved Johnson House, at Mt. Airy Day, at countless events, she embodied the spirit of creating a better world. She truly lived what she aspired to be. She was open, fair, and welcoming. She was persistent and sensitive about getting our WILPF Branch to be more racially inclusive. Knowing that we live in a racially diverse neighborhood, she pushed WILPF to reflect that diversity.

WILPF was a home for June. She tended it, nurtured us, gathered recruits, and did all the work that a home needs. We treasure her and are blessed by her years of being in WILPF.

Left: June Krebs (June 7, 1930-April 17, 2018). Photo courtesy of Karen Share, daughter of June Krebs.

Here is June’s full bio, courtesy of her daughter Karen Elizabeth Share.

For more information, contact Tina Shelton at tinades@verizon.net