In Time for Mother’s Day: Libby Frank Book Talk and Preparing For WILPF’s 110th Anniversary

By Jeneve Brooks
Strategic Support & Initiatives Coordinator, WILPF US, Jane Addams Branch

May 2024

Celebrate with us, our WILPF mothers and our collective herstory!  Our May 16th Zoom “Everyday Activist” will focus on long-time WILPFer, mother and activist Libby Frank, and will celebrate the dedication and commitment of all our members as we prepare for WILPF’s upcoming 110th anniversary.   

The month of May is filled with remembrances of mothers. Although we think of celebrating Mother’s Day in the context of our individual lives, we also want to pay tribute to the inspiring women in our collective WILPF family who have made such a lasting impact for peace and justice, often at great personal cost.

On Thursday, May 16th, author Heather Schafter will share her experiences interviewing and writing about Libby Frank for her new book The Life of Libby: Chasing Peace and Justice With Humor, Guts and Passion.  The talk will be hosted by Tina Shelton, leader of the Greater Philadelphia branch. Plan to attend at 10 am PT/Noon CT/1 pm ET/7 pm Geneva time, and you can register here for the free Zoom link. 

In the last few years of Libby Frank's life, she befriended and mentored Heather Schafter, and the two women began working on Libby’s memoir. In late December 2023, Libby passed away peacefully at the age of 95, before the memoir was published. However, Heather was determined to make sure that Libby’s incredible life was remembered and cherished. The result is a highly readable and entertaining book, which tells the story of how an activist woman devoted herself to making the world a better place for their children.

Libby dedicated her life to peace and freedom; starting in the 1940s, she actively participated in desegregating public pools, supporting worker strikes, and opposing the Vietnam War as Director of the Bergen County, NJ Peace Center. In the 1970s, she volunteered with WILPF's Middle East Committee, eventually leading WILPF's US section in 1981. She was a long-time member of the Philadelphia branch. Her journey, fueled by connections with fellow activists, a passion for folk music and a sense of humor, underscores the power of collective action for change. Please mark your calendars today to join this conversation and share your own experiences with women activists who’ve enriched your life.

As we celebrate our real and ‘adopted’ mothers and mentors this May, let's also honor the courageous women whose solidarity gave birth to WILPF. In the Spring of 1915, Jane Addams and 1,500 international women convened at The Hague, advocating for peaceful and just solutions to World War I.

As we approach our upcoming 110th anniversary in April 2025, we urge members to mark this milestone by contributing a one-time gift of $110 or becoming a recurring donor at $10 per month. Recurring donations offer stability, allowing us to plan and sustain our initiatives effectively. These secure online monthly donations, akin to systems used by PBS and other charities, empower WILPF to consistently support our ongoing advocacy and peace efforts, including branch and issue committee projects, grassroots programs and representation at global forums like the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the WILPF US 35th Triennial Congress. For more information contact us at wilpfus.jenevebrooks@gmail.com or call at (917)330-1906.

Thank you for honoring our collective mothers this May! We look forward to seeing you at the Libby Frank Zoom Book Talk! Register here for the Zoom link.