Interviewee: Suzanne Belote Shanley Interviewers: Keith Plummer and Emily Champagne Date of Interview: March 27, 2017 Location: Agape Community Transcriber: Keith Plummer Overseen by: Dr. Selina Gallo-Cruz, College of the Holy Cross Abstract: Suzanne Belote Shanley is co-founder of the Agape Community, a residential, lay Catholic Community dedicated to prayer, voluntary simplicity, and gospel-centered nonviolent witness in the world, in 1982. She has studied the topic of women and war for over 35 years, bringing to life biographies of pacifists in the women’s movement past and present, while inspiring young people to claim their nonviolent heritage. In this interview, Suzanne reflects upon the many factors that contributed to the cultivation of her activist spirit and commitment to nonviolence, sustainability, and Catholicism. Suzanne describes the unique historical contexts such as the Sexual Revolution, Vietnam War, and Nuclear Arms Race that radicalized her as an anti-war and generally pro-life advocate. In addition, Suzanne describes her journey to passionate and subversive Catholicism through relationships with her husband, activist priests, and other religious protesters. Suzanne concludes the interview by discussing the mission and functions of the Agape Community and giving her take on the current socio-political climate. KP: So we just started the recording. Today is what? March ? EC: [laughter] 20… SS: Fifth was Saturday, 26th Sunday, 27th EC: Yes! 27th KP: It’s the 27th so let’s just… SS: Not May, did you say May? KP: I said March [laughter] EC: Two months too soon. Worcester Women's Oral History Project 30 Elm Street – Worcester, MA 01609 –
[email protected] www.wwhp.org 1 KP: March 27th.