Spring Newsletter
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
Spring, 2009                           SPRING WILPF PROGRAMS                Volume 11, Number 2

We meet at the Friends Meeting House, 931 N. 5th Ave.  When parking, please leave curb space free north
of Friends House.  CHILD CARE PROVIDED (please call ahead…791-9535)

January 17: 2 pm. “U.S. Imperialism & the Peace Movement in the Age of Obama”  Joe Bernick Tucsonan
Joe Bernick, active in the peace movement since 1964, grew up in the Middle East and has traveled to Israel,
Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia.  He is involved in the Arizona Peace Council, Tucson Peace Action
Community, the Tucson Peace Center and Salt of the Earth Labor College.

February 21:  2 pm. “Election Reform…Why? What? & How?” Lianda Ludwig & Claudia Ellquist.  Both are
Tucsonans. Lianda is a former candidate for City Council and long time Election Integrity activist. Claudia works
with the Green Party, the Coalition of Arizonans to Abolish the Death Penalty, and was a recent candidate for
Pima County Attorney.  Lianda will speak of election flaws, and Claudia will propose reforms.

March 28:  2 pm.  “The Current Crisis in Health Care” Mary Jo Ghory & Carolyn Trowbridge Mary Jo is a
retired pediatric surgeon who works part time as a teacher & physician advisor at TMC, and advocated Health
Care Reform throughout her career.  Carolyn is a Registered Nurse, hospital worker, organizer of health care
workers for Service Employees International Union, Raging Grannie & long time political activist.

April 18:  2 pm.   “Roots and Cure for U.S. Economic Crisis” Arthur MacEwan recently retired Prof. of
Economics at University of Massachusetts (& son of Mary MacEwan).  A progressive analysis & action plan.

May 16:  1 pm Pot Luck Luncheon  Program 2 pm:  BOOKS important to our lives  WILPF has annual selection
of award-winning books that we donate to underserved Tucson schools. Students from Hohocum Middle School
will share their excitement.  We will also feature local authors and other significant books.

Special WILPF Events

WILPF is attempting to select issues of current interest which also impact our lives, and by collective action to
really Make A Difference!  Please read the sections below and PLEASE JOIN US…WE NEED YOU!  

Corporations vs. Democracy ~ a WILPF Issue, Corporate Accountability International,  and
Linking Common Goals

Large corporations – particularly the military-industrial-media-contractor-privatized prison-agribusiness-developer-
corporate complex - control government, and crank out a steady onslaught of abuses ~ environmental, health,
economic, armed aggression-related, etc. ~ that We the People must endure and try to cope with (albeit on a
piecemeal basis).Corporations vs. Democracy, a long term WILPF issue is not  “just another issue;”  it is an
overarching issue and root causes of the other issues which WILPF is addressing, and more. Many, if not most,
issues will continue with whomever is in the Oval Office.    

An organization which is doing a lot to give us information about, and challenging, this reality is Corporate
Accountability International (formerly InFact, a Nestle boycott group), a ''grassroots corporate watchdog.''  Its
mission statement says:  “Today the air we breathe, the water we drink and our very democracy are under
increasing threat from corporate abuses. ... Corporate Accountability International has taken on abusive global
corporations one industry at a time ... We are building on our successful track record to strengthen democracy by
limiting corporate interference in national and international policymaking so that ordinary people around the
world can hold corporations accountable for their actions (emphasis added) and thereby put an end to
irresponsible corporate behavior.”

Think Outside The Bottle is one current CAI campaign that “encourages consumers to choose tap over bottled
water and support the efforts of local elected officials to do the same at the city, state, and national level.” It
played a major role in the July 2007 decision by Pepsico to change the label on their Aquafina bottled water to
more plainly state that it is public water ~ including our own precious Tucson water (although this is not
stated, I believe).

CAI reinforces WILPF's own Corporations vs Democracy Issue, the Water Campaign including privatized bottled
public water, and our other issues, e.g., disarmament/DU/Keep Space for Peace, and whatever other issue(s) the
branch may choose to focus on. Knowing about CAI work can stimulate finding ways to link WILPF's overarching,
general issue of Corporations vs Democracy with other specific issues (as CAI does), and help empower WILPF-
ers to bring this to the attention of other local peace, justice and environment groups in order to do problem-
solving together. Groups with certain shared ''affinities'' and related goals can support and magnify each other's
work, for increased chances of progress. This is what the Community Action Plan, developed in conjunction
with the Democracy Organizing Group to Abolish Corporate Personhood, was designed to help bring
about; it engages us in a simple, organized 10-step process which links the goals we have in common.

The Community Action Plan is about both/and, rather than either/or. That is, it is about a) linking different peace,
justice and environment groups which have related important issues, and b) linking the issues to a major root
cause: corporate power and control over the economy, the government, war, human and planetary rights. It is
about bringing different groups together to help to build critical will and reach critical mass of purpose ~ which is
always required in order to bring about real change for the better. Groups need to support and reinforce each
other's process and goals, rather than



Help Plan a National Conference to Urge U.S. Senate to Ratify 3 UN Conventions…

More than a year ago Dr. Milton Schwebel issued our Branch a challenge: To plan a national conference to
promote U.S. Senate ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Early research resulted in
our consideration to add two other Conventions also languishing in the Senate: Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the UN Covenant on the Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights.  Our Steering Committee will be discussing this idea at our January and February meetings.  If
this project tickles your imagination and interest, we need to hear from you, and include your ideas in our
planning. A project of this magnitude will require much advance planning and to include other local and national
groups in the planning. PLEASE BRAIN-STORM WITH US! Help us decide: 1) IF we could/should attempt this
project, and if so, 2) Who could help us with logistics and costs.  Two United Nations dates to be considered  for
such a conference:  United Nations Day, October 24.  Or International Womens’ Day, March 8.  The national
political climate is better now. How About It?  Contact Nancy @ 908-9252 or ncg_53704@yahoo.com       

WILPF Joining Campaign to Close All U.S. Military Bases Abroad  WILPF is joining 13 other peace & justice
organizations in an effort to close the nearly1,000 U.S. bases in 138 countries around the world. Many people
suffer from abuses, environmental damage occurs, and huge $ outlays are involved.  More about this issue is on
the web site: www.projectonmilitarybases.org   Contact us if you want to work on this issue.

International Women’s Day, Sunday, March 8.  Plans are under way for a WILPF-Kore Press collaboration to
dramatize Powder: Writing by Women in the Ranks.  Jeanmarie Simpson is transforming the written word to
dramatic readings…to share the feelings and experiences of women in the military.  Stay tuned for the location
and time for this performance.

Join WILPF’s Annual Tax Day Leafletting  Wednesday, April 15 WILPF members and friends give leaflets to
postal patrons telling taxpayers how our tax monies are spent and how we think they SHOULD be spent. Sun
station Post Office on Speedway, east of Campbell from 9 am to 5 pm; Main Post Office (Cherrybell Station) from
5 pm to midnight.

Do you wannabe a Raging Grannie?  WILPF’s outrageous singers invite new members! Call  885-3908


COMMUNITY EVENTS

MLK Events Jan 19 March & Rally  8:30 a.m. gather at Old Main on the U of A Campus, and March to Reid
Park for the 10 a.m. rally at the amphitheater in Reid Park      

Monday Evening Film-Discussion series continues: Voices Against War, Racism and Oppression will
resume February 23 through May 4 with a spring break March 15.  This popular series is held at the U of A A & E
Building at Speedway & Mountain, auditorium Rm S – 210..  

Annual Peace Fair Saturday, Feb. 28. Don’t Miss this Great Annual Event 10 am to 4 pm.  Come hear WILPF’s
Raging Grannies!  Help at the WILPF booth!  Enjoy this Fun Day!  Call 791-9535 for further info.

Ongoing Weekly (or monthly) Protests:           For info, parking, etc., on protests, call 319-2281
Wednesdays:  9 to 10 am at Recruitment Center, 2302 E. Speedway; Speedway & Campbell. No Militarization
Thursdays:  5 to 6 pm at the Federal Building, 300 W. Congress.  To oppose U.S. Intervention everywhere
Fridays: 5 to 6 pm at Euclid & Speedway, opposing violence in Middle East & everywhere (Women in Black)
Once a month at Raytheon Missiles factory, Nogales Hwy, 3rd light south of Valencia.
Once a month at Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Golf Links & Craycroft entrance.


CALL! E-MAIL! To OBAMA, Congress, Media….OFTEN!!!  

ESPECIALLY THE OBAMA TEAM before Jan. 20 at:   http://change.gov/page/s/ofthepeople
Our progressive voice is NECESSARY if we expect the Change that we desperately need:  Renewable energy;
Single Payer Health Care; Stop Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine & NO Occupations; Close ALL U.S. military
bases abroad; No Weapons in Space; Re-Join CTBT and work for nuclear disarmament; Close Guantanamo,
Stop ALL Torture; Jobs to re-build infrastructure; Restore environmental & economic regulations

White House: Phone (pay): 202-456-1111; Fax: 202-456-2461; E-mail: comments@whitehouse.gov
Toll-Free #’s for CONGRESS:  1-800-828-0498; 1-877-851-6437 (remember time change for D.C.)
Senator Jon Kyl: local ph.: 575-8633; E-mail: www.kyl.senate.gov; click on “Message to Senator Kyl”.
Senator John McCain: local ph.: 670-6334; E-mail: www.mccain.senate.gov, click on “E-mail  Senator”
Rep. Raul Grijalva: local: 622-6788; E-mail: www.house.gov/writerep/grijalva  (Dist. 7),  “Contact us”
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords; local ph: 881-3588, E-mail:www.house.gov/writerep/giffords  (Dist. 8) “contact”
Corporate Media:  ABC: http://abc.go.com   Click “Contact us” bottom of home page
CBS: evening@cbsnews.com
NBC: nightly@NBC.com

We welcome your joining WILPF!  Dues support our national organization and include a subscription to
Peace & Freedom. Individual, $35; Household, $40; Student, low income, $15. Send check made out to WILPF,
note for “membership” to Anne Brenner, 4721 Camino La Brinca, Tucson, AZ  85718
Your additional donation of $10 (separate check to WILPF, notation Tucson branch) will help us locally. If you
have any questions, call Anne at 299-6386.  We need your active and financial support!

Contact these Tucson Branch leaders with your ideas or questions:
President/Co-Chair  Mary MacEwan     622-5743                Membership        Nancy Graham      908-9252
Co-Chair                  Alma Berkowitz     791-9535                 Legislative Rep   Pat Birnie              661-9671
Treasurer                Anne Brenner        299-6386               Newsletter           Pat Pecoraro         885-3908
Raging Grannies     Margaret Pecoraro  885-3908              Webmistress       Karen Thompson  906-5005

Our Steering Committee meets 9:30 am the 1st Thursday of each month at Mary MacEwan’s, 2451 N. Santa
Rita. All are welcome to attend and share ideas. Confirm at 622-5743 or 791-9535

Are you on our e-list?  If not, contact patbirnie@greenbicycle.net to join our frequent reminders of meetings,
action alerts and legislation that need our support, and more….

Check our Web Sites! Local: www.wilpftucson.org     Nat’l: www.wilpf.org    Int’l: www.wilpf.int.ch
Do you watch or listen to Democracy Now?  Check schedule at www.democracynow.org
To check federal legislation:  www.thomas.gov   (provide bill number or subject)

Founded in 1915, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) works to achieve through
peaceful means: world disarmament, full rights for women, environmental sustainability, racial and economic
justice and an end to all forms of violence.  We work to establish those political, social and psychological
conditions that can assure peace, freedom and justice for all.

ATTENTION!!  If you receive this newsletter, and are not already a supporting member of WILPF, please send a
check to our treasurer (above) ($5 or more, if possible) to help cover expenses. We would like feedback from you,
telling us what your interests are, what you would like to do to participate in our Branch, how we can utilize your
talents & energies. (And also appreciate your telling us if you no longer want to be on our list.)