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An alert from the US Section of the
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
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July 1, 2025
Dear WILPF US members,
Many of us might be feeling whiplash from the constantly changing national policy decisions and impacts on the issue areas we focus on. 110 years later, our roots as an anti-war organization remain more relevant than ever. Yet the world in which we operate is so different. I watch my stepson (pictured above holding the megaphone) and his friends form temporary alliances on issues and then break them just as quickly when they need to pivot. We see this at a global level too. And then there’s AI, transforming not only industries and governments, but also activism. Fluidity, the need to be nimble and pivot quickly: this is the world we are activating in. And the need to think above the noise.
As DEI becomes taboo, as bombs are dropped, as the Administration threatens to revoke funding and non-profit status of organizations that don’t fall in line, one thing is constant: WILPF US members’ commitment to pushing back against the harmful tide. It was beautiful to see so many WILPF US members marching in the No Kings rallies, and our program committees implementing Tactical Tuesdays: sessions dedicated to calling legislators throughout June.
Separately, a group of WILPF US leaders including Cherrill Spencer, Marybeth Gardam, and Laura Dewey are working behind the scenes to convene like-minded allies with the goal of developing joint statements, key messages, and equally important, a joint solidarity action. WILPF US has also published this international statement on our website and shared it with branches and WILPF distribution lists. It’s in response to the US’ bombing of Iran, states our opposition to NATO’s military spending increase, and calls on the world to stay focused on the crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Other organizations are doing similar things, but we are not seeing social justice outcomes proportionate to our efforts. So, how can we rise above the noise? We still need to march. We still need to use our voice. At the same time, how do we show up in new ways and test new strategies and tactics, so we can achieve different outcomes? This month, we launch our reenvisioning process at WILPF US and I hope you will actively participate. Your lived experience, your wisdom, is essential to the conversation.
Reenvisioning WILPF US
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As part of my learning journey, I continue to meet with WILPF US members, branches and former leaders. Earlier this month, I spoke with Betty Burke, former WILPF US President. She said something that resonated with me deeply: “Reenvisioning WILPF US is great, but we also need to reimagine. Wanting to go back to the way things used to be is being stuck in the past. We need to imagine what WILPF US is in the future. And it might look different than it did before.”
So, let’s do it, let’s reimagine together! I’m excited to share that we will host focus groups with representative committees, branches and members throughout July. In August, I will launch a national dialogue series inviting all members to participate. I’ll also be sending out a member-wide survey with thoughtful questions, such as:
- What keeps you at WILPF?
- How do you describe WILPF to others?
- What new ideas do you want to try with WILPF?
Throughout the reenvisioning and reimagining process, we will draw strength from and honor WILPF’s deep history and legacy: your legacy.
If you already have thoughts or responses to the initial questions posed above, please email me at lindalow@wilpfus.org. Your point of view is important. Your voice matters.
Crafting Justice
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To welcome emerging generations into WILPF US, we need to be accessible to people who are searching for ways to take action – through activities that align with their interests and at places where they meet. With this in mind, I’m excited to share that we are piloting a new initiative called Crafting Justice.
The combination of crafting and activism is back on the rise, uniting people across generations in common cause. We have gathered 10 women who meet in Zoom monthly across three cities to share craft and activism ideas. One of the best moments so far was when Marin Burke (pictured in the top right corner of the Zoom room), a recent graduate student from Loyola University Chicago, presented her thesis on the history of crafting and activism.
Marin shared an image of the AIDS Quilt project on the National Mall in the 1980s. She noted that it was the most well-known craftivist project, and that craftivism remains relevant to the queer community today, and increasingly among Gen Z. At that moment, Jan Edwards (pictured in the top left corner of the Zoom room), a longtime WILPF US member, shared that she had made a quilt for the AIDS project and placed it on the National Mall, possibly near the quilts that Marin showed us. We were witnessing a full-circle moment that connected us across generations, and it left all of us in the Zoom room wanting to do more.
WILPF network meetings
Stay in the know on WILPF activities!
🗓️ The next WILPF US board meeting is on July 31 at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7 pm ET. For more information, contact board secretary Dianne Blais at secretary@wilpfus.org.
🗓️ WILPF International is hosting an international program meeting on July 2 to discuss the movement’s local to global shared mission for feminist peace. Register here.
Wise words from WILPF members and allies
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I believe in the wisdom of the crowd, so I continue to seek insights and advice from WILPF US members and allies. Here is one of the heart-expanding stories I heard recently.
“There’s an iconic picture. My mom was at a die in, pretending to die from a nuclear blast on a pedestrian walkway. I’m 3 years old sipping a coke and looking bored. That was a normal Tuesday. Mom opened my eyes to the world, teaching me about humanity, patience, and empathy. I never lose sight of that. I look at my daughter and I see a lot of mom in her. I’m looking forward to teaching her about WILPF, my mom, and being politically and socially active. She’s only 6-years old, so I’ll wait a little.” – Jesse Guma, Robin Lloyd’s wonderful son.
Take care of yourselves, fearless WILPF women, and let’s continue to take care of each other.
Linda Low
WILPF US Executive Director
P.S. Thank you to our reenvisioning committee members for their guidance and WILPF insights so that we can reimagine WILPF US together: Regina Sneed, San Francisco branch representative; Nancy Price, web committee representative; Marybeth Gardam, development committee chair; Glenn Ruga, web and IT consultant; Shelby Young, field organizer; and external ally Carmen Rios, Ms. Magazine writer and digital communications at An Economy Of Our Own.❤️
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