In the All Souls Procession tonight were a group of women from the Tucson branch of the Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF), with a larger than life-size puppet of Jane Addams. “Peace and Justice” says Jane’s sign in the photo above, with WILPF member Pat Birnie (lower left). On a leaflet they were handing out:

Jane Addams was an outspoken woman with strong opinions. In 1915, this was uncommon, and unwelcome. When she spoke out against WWI, declaring all war to be a horrific waste of lives and money, she was called a socialist, a communist, even a traitor. Fifteen years later she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Hull House in Chicago, which was her major passion, provided services for indigent and immigrant women and children. Jane Addams helped to start Hull House in 1889, along with her long-time companion, Ellen Starr. She was also very influential in women’s suffrage and labor unions, and helped establish special courts for juveniles. Both the NAACP and the ACLU were also co-founded by Jane, as she was always seeking justice for the oppressed and the poor she saw all around her.

Photo above of “Jane Addams” with WILPF supporters (L to R: Terry Rillos, Margaret Pecorano, Margo Newhouse, Stephanie Keenan, Mary Somers, and Debi Livingston), courtesy of Carole Edelsky.

R.I.P. Jane Addams (1860-1935), the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (second internationally). She was the founder and first President of WILPF.

“The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) brings together women from around the world to work for peace by non-violent means and to promote political, racial and economic justice for all.”

For more info: www.wilpftucson.org.

movie poster

2 pm Saturday, January 16 at

The Friends Meeting House, 931 N. 5th Ave in Tucson.

“The film takes a critical look at what our children learn about race, gender and class from Disney films. It questions the values promoted under the guise of innocence and fun.” Following the film, WILPF member Jenise Porter will lead a discussion. She is an educational researcher and doctoral candidate at the U of A in the Department of Language, Reading and Culture.

The program is sponsored by the Tucson chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). If you have any questions, call 520-791-9535.

“For more than 90 years, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom has been in the vanguard of national and international protests against war, supporters of struggles for justice and freedom, and advocates of women’s rights.

This organization was founded in 1915, during World War I. Jane Addams of the United States was a founder and its first president. Ms. Addams and Emily Greene Balche, a co-founder, are the only United States women ever to be honored as Nobel Laureates of Peace.”

The Friends Meeting House is on 5th Avenue, just west of Catalina Park, between E. 1st and E. 2nd Streets.

Having grown up (with 2 brothers) viewing lots of Walt Disney films in America (even way out there in Hawaii), I am curious about what this documentary will reveal about race, gender, and class. Wasn’t Minnie Mouse supposed to be my heroine?