“MARCH FOURTH” on March 4 with WILPF’s Tucson Branch
Gloria McMillian, WILPF Tucson Branch
Our University of Arizona faculty sponsor, Kelly Leslie, designed a striking graphic for our upcoming MARCH FOURTH event.
We may be joined by the artist’s daughter, Moira Doogan, although her attendance is not yet confirmed. We hope for a strong turnout as we celebrate a life dedicated to women’s rights and art. Additionally, we will be honoring the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 2026 conference, highlighting the status of women globally. Find more information about the event below:
MARCH FOURTH!
To the University of Arizona’s Exhibit of Margaret Bailey Doogan (1941–2022): an important feminist artist whose frequently-censored explicit depictions of the aging, real female body challenged societal beauty norms, causing her work to be removed from exhibitions, rejected by museums, or physically destroyed by curators.
For the U.N. CSW in March: the U.N. investigates the rights, crimes against, and abuses against women!
Protests, Grants, and International Women’s Day: Updates from WILPF’s Humboldt Branch
Sue Hilton, WILPF Humboldt Branch
The Humboldt Branch has been busy with protests—often attending as Raging Grannies, and occasionally bringing the WILPF banner. We recently opened our annual scholarship and grant program, which honors two of our late members by awarding small grants to local organizations and groups advancing peace and justice—locally and globally. We’re now planning our annual International Women’s Day celebration in partnership with Centro del Pueblo, a local Indigenous migrant rights organization, as part of a community festival celebrating women. We also recently connected with women from the Women’s Resource Center at Cal Poly Humboldt and will be co-sponsoring one of their Women’s History Month events. They, along with other local organizations supporting women, will also join our International Women’s Day Celebration on March 8.
WILPF Greater Phoenix Branch: Growth, Gaza, and a Global Poetry Event
Barb Taft and Shelby Young, WILPF Greater Phoenix Branch
The Greater Phoenix WILPF Branch has recently resumed in-person meetings and now also offers a Zoom option. Although attendance has been somewhat low, we are optimistic it will grow.
Our branch has identified Gaza and the West Bank as our top priority, with ICE as our second focus. Members remain deeply engaged with these and other issues by joining demonstrations, contacting members of Congress, and speaking out at various events.
We’ve also joined an international initiative—the Global Peace Poetry Marathon—which began in Ecuador and now includes a dozen nations across the Americas.
On Feb. 14, we hosted a table at the Local to Global Justice Forum and Festival at Arizona State University (ASU), where we began promoting the poetry event scheduled for October. Leading up to the main event, we plan to participate in several “practice sessions.” Any other branches interested in learning more or joining us are encouraged to contact Barb Taft at beejayssite@yahoo.com. At the Forum’s closing session, Barb shared one of her poems. She has also been named an Ambassador for Poetry and Peace by the Marathon’s planning group.
Engineering for Peace: Spread the Word about Non-Military Career Paths
Gloria McMillan, DISARM/End Wars Committee
The DISARM/End Wars Committee has created a flyer promoting non-military career paths for engineering students. Carry it in your purse or tote bag, and use it whenever your branch is tabling at events. If you have engineers in your family, encourage them to share it at conferences. You can also distribute it in front of museums with prominent engineering displays. These are just a few suggestions for spreading the word.
Please note: Some of the companies listed on the flyer have divisions involved in weapons manufacturing.
Download the flyer here.
