Celebrating Women, Peace and Power

By Paula LeRoy

Santa Cruz WILPF put up an ambitious, multi-media exhibit inspired by Jane Addams in the Downtown Library, and held seven events there during the three-month run. The opening focused on WILPF’s past, present and future; it was followed by a public arts night, a Raging Grannies hat decorating and song event, an afternoon of Stories from the Frontlines of Activism, a report back from The Hague,   the branch’s annual meeting led by Marcia Heath, and a closing ceremony when each of the featured endurance activists ceremonially received their portraits as an award.

The exhibit could be experienced more or less in this way: A few dozen large replicas of spectacular JACPA book covers line the staircase to the second floor, landing you in front of a gorgeous display of the various interests and accomplishments of our WILPF co-founder Jane Addams by Gaby Litsky as well as banners made by peace campers. Next to it, a world map pinpoints the various world WILPF Sections, with photos of activities from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Japan, to France to Nepal. Beneath, a glass case houses books by and about both Jane Addams and Santa Cruz Branch members.

Exhibit viewers begin a journey meeting over 30 Endurance Activists in expressive portraits by Charles Berger, a world renowned photographer, and are usually amazed by the profile bios of each activist. Displayed in categories announced with protest style signs, such as “We Are Already Against the Next War” the portraits are interspersed with timelines of social histories such as labor, environmental issues, and anti-nuclear movement, compiled by the exhibit co-curator Paula LeRoy.  The WILPF manifesto is next to those.

Each category also features a provocative SoulCollage and poem created by co-curator Jeri Bodemar. Her glass case display of SoulCollage is an exhibit in itself, filled with art and personal artifacts and glowing with love. Lastly, several stunning political art pieces capture one’s attention, deepening the understanding of the goals of 100 year-old WILPF. Sadly, six display boards of SC WILPF members who have passed on, news articles, and irreplaceable clippings, lovingly and beautifully arranged by Marilyn Lucier, mysteriously disappeared before the opening without a trace, or even photographs of their content.

The exhibit generated some publicity and new members for WILPF as well as a renewed sense of purpose and pride. Paula LeRoy is in the process of compiling the exhibit contents into an artistic book, which will be publicly available. WILPF-US generously awarded the exhibit a mini-grant for materials and publicity, a bit of which will be the beginning of the book publishing fund. Further contributions are greatly appreciated and can be sent to the branch; contact Marcia Heath.

Videos from the events:

• WWP-100 Exhibit
• Stories from the Frontlines of Activism
• Joy Hinz reports about her impressions and experiences at The Hague

PHOTO: Marcia Heath, Santa Cruz WILPF Branch leader, and Jane Addams.