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.