March e-News: Where There's Water, There's WILPF

I remember when WILPF first started focusing on the complex issues of water scarcity and privatization. Soon after, I found myself at conference in upstate New York on water issues (held at the Omega Institute) where I got to represent WILPF and speak with Vandana Shiva. It was a timely meeting in more ways than one, since we were in the midst of working on a special issue of Peace & Freedom focusing on water and Shiva had agreed to write for us (it turned out to be one of our most popular issues and required a reprinting!). After that, I was in California attending my first Bioneers conference, where I spent time with WILPF members from Latin America and the U.S.

This March e-Newsletter has two items on water, including the groundbreaking work of our sisters in the Minnesota Metro branch. As I sit writing this editor's note in my small home office my state is recovering from epic flooding. On my bookshelf are several tomes about water, including one where I found this quote: "The Sahara is expanding. A trivial few thousand years ago, hippos played where there is now only stone and scrub." - from Marq De Villiers in Water: The Fate of our Most Precious Resource. We all know these issues are critical. WILPF is the way we can turn that understanding into real change. I encourage you to read and enjoy this issue of our newsletter.

Let us know what inspires you. Email us at newsletter@wilpf.org

In this eNews:

• WILPF Water Project Has Huge Impact
• Spring's Best Fashion Choice: WILPF Water Shirts
• Walk for Nuclear Disarmament with WILPF
• Laurie Belton: on the job in Boston
• Teach Your Children Well

A New Mexico woman has been fighting to stop businessmen from siphoning and selling water from her territory.  Photo by Cheryl Walsh Bellville

WILPF Water Project Has Huge Impact

What happens when you mix feminism, politics and art? Well, if the people involved are WILPF members you get a powerful and innovative program called Women and Water Rights: Rivers of Regeneration. After breaking all records at the gallery where their art exhibit debuted, WILPF's Minnesota Metro branch and the Women's Caucus for Art are still going strong - and they are scooping up some pretty impressive press coverage along the way. Get the scoop here.

Spring's Best Fashion Choice: WILPF Water Shirts

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Of course you are proud to belong to WILPF. Of course you know all about water issues of scarcity and corporate control. But did you realize there's a shirt that will let the world know what you stand for, and will fit every WILPF member to a T? Don't be the last activist on your block to grab one of these terrific shirts.

You can order them here.

The T-shirts are available in unisex sizes, S-M-L-XL - so everyone can own one!
Long sleeve: $14, plus shipping and handling
Short sleeve: $12, plus shipping and handling

The postage and handling will depend on the quantity ordered.

Order your shirt by following the online information or emailing skyhorse3593@sbcglobal.net.

Walk for Nuclear Disarmament with WILPF

WILPF is building momentum for the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in May. Join us as we support the 2010 NPT Walk for Nuclear Disarmament this April. "We're walking from Washington to New York because we recognize disarmament is truly an international issue, and that the U.S. government -- as the world's lone superpower and leading nuclear powerhouse -- has the responsibility to lead the way towards a peaceful, nuclear-free future," says WILPF member and walk co-coordinator, Jay Marx. This is the next phase in a two-year "Proposition One in 2010" Campaign, started by citizens in Washington, D.C., (including WILPF members) to legislate nuclear disarmament by popular initiative. There are many ways WILPF members can join this important effort. Find out how you can get involved here.

Laurie Belton: on the job in Boston

WILPF has a new Director of Operations: Laurie Roberts Belton. With an unwavering commitment to cross-cultural communication and a terrific background at various nonprofits, Laurie is a huge asset to WILPF. Want to know more about her and her goals for WILPF? You can read a long interview with her in the upcoming spring issue of Peace & Freedom, which is currently in production. You can reach Laurie in the National Office (617-266-0999) or by e-mail at lbelton@wilpf.org.

Teach Your Children Well

Students learn literacy skills in a Hull House Preschool Program Photo: Courtesy Jane Addams Hull House Association

The 2010 Jane Addams Children's Book Award winners will be announced at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 24. The event will be held at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago and will include a presentation on the history of the award as well as a tour of the house. WILPF members and friends are invited to join area activists, teachers, librarians, parents and others in the Residents Dining Hall to celebrate. The award recognizes books that engage children in thinking about peace and social justice-issues of the utmost importance to Addams and WILPF. For directions to the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, located on the campus of the University of Illinois-Chicago, see www.uic.edu/jaddams/hull/hull_house.html. See the Jane Addams Peace Association web site for more information about the Award.