Grannies for Peace vigil at Washington Park, May 7, 2022, “For the Mothers and Children of Ukraine, and all who are suffering and dying. US help achieve a ceasefire, leading to peace!”

Posted on May 22, 2022 by admin

Middle of the vigil on May 7, 2022. Photo by Maud Easter.

Fran and Mickie Holding the grannies’ banner. Photo by Harry Thornhill

Maud, Maggie, Dan, Karen, Elaine and Kate. May 7, 2022. Photo by Marcia Hopple

Pat, Anita, Karen and Rio, Photo by Victor Anderson, May 7, 2022

At the start of the vigil, creating symmetry, May 7, 2022, photo by Harry Thornhill

On a slightly cool Saturday afternoon, surrounded by lovely tulips, celebratory families, with lots of canine members, seeking respite from some of the worries of war, pandemic illness and economic challenges, Grannies for peace gathered to share a mother’s and grandmother’s day calling for a ceasefire of the war in Ukraine.

At our annual Mother’s Day weekend vigils at the Tulipfest, Grannies and our allies have stood for ending wars, racism. and corporate war profiteering that create suffering for mothers and children and the poorest people of the world.

Some years the vigils have been large, with many allies joining us. This year’s vigil was a small gem of a demonstration with many signs, banners, and roses to give out with our leaflets. About 20 people included our eldest Granny, Pat Beetle, really glad to join our vigil once again, in between eye surgery and the upcoming removal of stitches. She was accompanied by her daughter, Karen, Karen’s partner Victor and our official canine greeter, Rio.

Since our “official photographer”, Mabel Leon, was attending another event we had help from 4 backup photographers to document many aspects of our vigil. Hence the large number of photos from different vantage points and perspectives.

Later in the vigil with Dot leafleting, handing out roses and talking to young women. Photo by Harry Thornhill

Maud and Joan holding Wars Make Refugees banner. Photo by Harry Thornhill

Maud, Maggie, Dan, Karen, Elaine and Kate. May 7, 2022. Photo by Marcia Hopple

Mickie talking with Pat, Elaine talking with Dot and Kate. Photo by Harry Thornhill, May7, 2022

Maggie and Joan holding Wars Make Refugees banner. Photo by Marcia Hopple, May 7, 2022

Howie Hawkins petitioners visit the vigil to gather signatures.Maggie and Marcia hold “Wars Make Refugees” banner. Photo by Maud Easter, May 7, 2022

Karen and Rio, Mary Baker, Maud. Photo May 7, 2022 by Victor Anderson

Discussions on either end of the vigil with Tulipfest goers. Photo by Maud Easter, May 7, 2022

Fest goers taking photos, Victor and Fran holding Grannies banner, Photo by Harry Thornhill

Our colorful banner Support All Our Children with roses for leafleting. Photo by Maud Easter

A particular shout out to some of our allies, including the faithful VFP poet, and flag bearer [and often photographer in other situations], Dan Wilcox; Harry Thornhill, leafletter, transporter of our signs and banners, photographer, and constant team member, with Joan Thornhill: Victor Anderson, photographer and part of the vital support team for Pat Beetle; and Mary Baker, a member of Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace and other allied peace and justice groups.

Lastly to all of those who came up to talk with us, took leaflets, took many photos(and a few selfies), and asked questions, shared ideas and feelings and made us feel seen, heard and understood during the time that we stood together in Washington Park.

Leaflet for Grannies May 7, 2022 vigil at the Tulipfest

Mother’s Day 2007

Posted on May 12, 2007 by admin

Thank you to all who attended our Stand in the Park for Peace event on Saturday, May 12th!

Grannies, Mothers, & Daughters joined together in a silent vigil at Albany’s Washington Park Tulip Festival. The group continued to expand until there were between 70 and 80 women. We did wonderfully at maintaining a strong and moving silence.

This silent vigil took place in a number of cities & towns across the US, as well as in 70 countries throughout the world! It was inspired by the book,
The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, by Sharon Mehdi

But Silence is Not Enough: For all our children’s sake, wage peace…
Express your desire for peace in the world…
Voice your outrage that we continue to wage war in foreign lands…
Show your community and government that you stand for peaceful solutions…
Gather with like-minded individuals in a spirit of love and harmony…

Following the hour-long silent vigil, women spread out in pairs throughout the park, distributing leaflets about the event.

Click here to see more Mother’s Day pictures.

Silent Vigil

As we Stand in the Park for Peace from 1-2 PM, we are part of a Standing Women’s Global Village in 70 countries, on every continent, this weekend. We stand as a positive demonstration of our deep impulse to do what we can toward a better future for our children, grandchildren and the seven generations beyond.

As we stand, we can acknowledge that we are the ones who can create the positive future we seek.
In silence, we can invite our own deep wisdom, so that we may model the kind and gentle world that we seek for our children.
We can notice how it feels to be with all those who stand with us.
In follow-up conversations, we can take note of the visions and actions that arise for us and others.

To learn about Grannies for Peace: write info@womenagainstwar.org

Mother’s Day 2007 Gallery

Gallery

Posted on May 1, 2007 by admin

This gallery contains 15 photos.

Mother’s Day 2006

Posted on May 1, 2006 by admin

Leafleting to Prevent War against Iran

A dozen Women Against War members celebrated Mother’s Day 2006 by handing out fliers at the annual Tulip Festival celebration in Albany’s Washington Park.

Decked out in pink and wearing signs saying No Attack on Iranian Mothers and Children and Mothers’ Day for Peace, the leafleters were warmly received by almost all. Friendly “Happy Mother’s Day” greetings seemed to lower barriers, reaching many new people.

1000 fliers were distributed in the first 45 minutes, with a Mothers’ Day Quiz about Iran on one side and a statement of concern about the moral tragedy of war on the other.

The event’s success led to a leafleting campaign at community festivals throughout the summer of 2006.

Mother’s Day 2005
Op-Ed in the Albany Times Union

On Saturday, May 7.2005, the Albany Times Union carried an eloquent Op-Ed piece by Judith Fetterley, Women Against War activist and professor emeritus of English and Women’s Studies at the University at Albany: War is Not the Answer for Mothers.

Another useful resource: Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation, 1870