University of Arizona’s Campus WILPF achieved its best turnout this academic year at the recent “Pizzas for Peace” meeting in the Visual Art Atrium, drawing about thirty students. As students enjoyed pizza, I shared about WILPF US’s history. This was the first time many students learned about our origins. Many students expressed interest in continued involvement with WILPF, signaling a successful event. Shelby Young, WILPF’s field organizer, faculty sponsor Louise Roth, and her two dogs (now canine WILPF members) were present. Seasoned member Emily Ricketts and students Ming Chen and Temitayo Oriade also assisted with the meeting.
Additionally, our other faculty sponsor, Kelly Leslie, helped promote the WILPF meeting by sharing it in the departmental newsletter and posting flyers around the building. She even gave her class time off to attend Pizzas for Peace. Our new A-frame signs also helped draw attendees.
Building on the event’s momentum, we distributed many “Peaceful Careers for Engineers” flyers. Kelly Leslie sent these flyers to a career advisor, who will help inform engineering students about alternative, non-weapons industry careers. We also collected signatures on a local petition to secure free legal aid for immigrants facing deportation hearings.
To further engage attendees, we distributed cards with concise information on how to join WILPF. Now that we have faculty sponsors and increased visibility, we’re working on streamlined ways to boost membership, such as offering memberships as raffle prizes. We also hope to engage the Theater Department next door for our next campus event. It was a great turnout, and we all left pleased and excited for the future of the University of Arizona’s growing Campus WILPF.
