AFSC ALUMNI Stories of Courage and Action
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SPRING 2019 • VOLUME 100, NUMBER 1 AFSC ALUMNI Stories of courage and action afsc.org Quaker Action LETTER FROM OUR GENERAL SECRETARY Published by the American Friends Service Committee Contents afsc.org FE ATURES DEPARTMENTS WHO WE ARE The American Friends Service 8 AFSC alumni: courage and action 3 Letter from our general secretary Committee (AFSC) is a Quaker Here are just some of the people organization that promotes lasting 4 Alumni news + notes peace with justice as a practical who have shaped—and continue to expression of faith in action. influence—AFSC today. Drawing on continuing spiritual 5 News from around AFSC insights and working with people 14 Inspired in service of many backgrounds, we nurture 7 Q+A: Sonia Tuma, regional director, the seeds of change and respect We look at organizations that AFSC U.S. West region for human life that transform social helped to start. relations and systems. 17 Where I stand: opening doors MANAGING EDITOR and hearts Ronna Bolante 19 Snapshot EDITORS Mark Graham Theresa Kirby Melissa Lee Ralph Medley Layne Mullett Jos Truitt DESIGN Mariana Martinez, AFSC intern and Aija Suuta Photo: Douglas Yarrow immigrant rights activist in Florida. Carl Roose Photo: Irit Reinheimer/AFSC COVER PHOTO AFSC alumni from the past several decades. For alumni stories, see page 8 or visit peaceworks.afsc.org. E-MAIL ADDRESS hen I think of AFSC’s reputations on the line for social justice rich history and determining what we are [email protected] history and the wonder- and peace—energizes me. So it’s only fit- called to do in today’s world. I look for- AMERICAN FRIENDS ful people who made it ting that we devote this issue of our Quak- ward to sharing our planning as it devel- SERVICE COMMITTEE happen, one word comes er Action magazine to telling a few stories ops. 1501 Cherry Street to mind: courage. It of our alumni. For now, I hope you enjoy these sto- Philadelphia, PA 19102 takes courage to stand This is a perfect time for an alumni is- ries of courage, heart, and conscience— Tel: 215-241-7000 W up for peace when a country is gripped in sue. First, we want to make sure that every- the story of AFSC’s alumni in action. Toll-free: 888-588-2372 war-fever. It takes courage to stand up for one who has been involved with AFSC—in the rights of people who are being blamed any way—can sign up to be a part of our In peace, for society’s ills. And it takes courage to Alumni Network. We already have nearly Today we work for a more just and peaceful world. meet face to face with people who others 1,500 people on our email list and over 360 call enemies—and find ways to make the people on Facebook. Tomorrow, with your help, we will continue to do the same. world a better place. Also, AFSC is reflecting on our past Joyce Ajlouny One delight of being general secretary accomplishments and planning our or- General Secretary Leave a legacy of peace. Name AFSC in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary of the Service Committee is that I hear the ganization’s future. Many community of your retirement plan, and sustain movements for stories of those who came before me, our members, Quakers, Board members, out- social change for generations to come. esteemed alumni, wherever I go. Meet- side experts, and staff have been meet- FPO: FSC SEAL ing and hearing about these courageous ing to develop AFSC’s next strategic plan. Call Tim Cravens at 1-888-588-2372, email [email protected], IF APPLICABLE souls—people who put their lives and These conversations are building on our or visit us online at afsc.org/wills to learn more. QUAKER ACTION ▪ SPRING 2019 3 IN BRIEF ALUMNI NEWS News from around AFSC Join AFSC’s Do you have news to share? & NOTES Email us at [email protected]! Alumni Network! Former AFSC Western Massachusetts Of- Frances Crowe ran AFSC’s Western fice Director Jo Comerford made history Massachusetts office in the basement of Have you worked with the American on Nov. 6, 2018 when she was elected as her home for 32 years before retiring in Friends Service Committee as a staff the first woman to serve her district in the 2006. She recently published her memoirs, member, volunteer, intern, or fellow? Massachusetts State Senate. “Finding My Radical Soul.” Stay connected with the AFSC family by joining our Alumni Network at afsc.org/alumni. Lifetime activist and educator Patricia Hundreds of faith leaders took part in AFSC’s Love Knows No Borders action in December. Visit afsc.org/alumni to: Rumer volunteered with AFSC in Gua- Photo: Steve Pavey temala in 1969. She recently published • Join AFSC’s Alumni Network. “Choices: Death, Life and Migration,” a • Reconnect with former colleagues. book that describes her own life journey. From 1966 to 1968, Ann Mullin and Shel Love knows no borders • Stay up to date on alumni events, Stromquist volunteered in Tanzania with news, and more. AFSC’s Voluntary International Service In the fall of 2018, migrants from Central America walked north, fleeing violence • Share your news and life updates. In September, Hayes Mizell, Terry Peter- Assignment program. They worked in and poverty and seeking safety and peace in the U.S. While the Trump admin- son, Janet Wells, John Norton, and Bettye small, rural “ujamaa” (African socialist) istration sent thousands of troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, deployed tear gas We look forward to hearing from you! Boone met for a reunion of AFSC’s South- villages, Ann in the south and Shel in the on children, and made it harder for people to apply for asylum, AFSC partnered eastern Public Education Program. Hayes north. They were married in Tanzania and with nine shelters in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico to help meet basic needs says, “Those were great days, and we are returned this past summer to celebrate for items such as food, water, and children’s supplies. We also helped staff a new Lanica Angpak, AFSC’s first Robert An- thankful for AFSC and other colleagues their 50th wedding anniversary and visit human rights brigade at the Guatemala-Mexico border and continued to monitor drew Stuart Fellow in Philadelphia, uses who provided great opportunities for our the villages they had lived in. They had human rights abuses at the U.S.-Mexico border. traditional Cambodian dance to create a learning, supported our experimentation, deeply moving encounters with several In addition, on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, we launched Love space where Cambodian-Americans feel and forgave our mistakes.” people with whom they had worked, Ann Knows No Borders, a week of action that kicked off with a nonviolent action at the safe to explore their shared identity, cul- in Liweta and Shel in Mnkonde. San Diego border by more than 400 faith leaders representing many traditions. ture, and history. In 2018, Lanica was ap- The leaders were met by Border Patrol agents wearing riot gear and armed with pointed to the Pennsylvania governor’s tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets. Thirty protesters were arrested for crossing a Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific line in the sand in an act of civil disobedience. This action—and more than 70 oth- American Affairs. ers organized across the U.S. by AFSC community members and partners—drew national attention to the need for more humane U.S. immigration policies and demilitarization of border communities, prompting The Nation to name it Most Valuable Protest of 2018 (see AFSC in the Media, page 6). Photos: (Clockwise from left) Don Davis/AFSC, Courtesy Ann Mullin and Shel Stromquist —THERESA KIRBY More: afsc.org/migrantcaravan Bryan Vana/AFSC Photo: 4 AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE ▪ AFSC.ORG QUAKER ACTION ▪ SPRING 2019 5 Caption. Photo: Photo Credit IN BRIEF IN THE NEWS PEOPLE AFSC in the media AFSC staff are working hard to make change on the ground—and in the news. Here are some of the highlights: On the Love Knows No Borders action “AFSC supported a powerful ‘Love Knows No Borders’ week of action in Sonia Tuma December, which saw more than 100 Regional director of AFSC’s U.S. West region faith leaders from across the country Courtesy Tuma/AFSC Sonia Photo: participate in nonviolent direct action in the border region near San Diego. The campaign’s purpose: ‘demanding an end to border militarization and call- Sonia has worked at AFSC since 1993. elementary students, public speaking and violations. We also teach people how to ing for humane immigration policies She shares some of her experiences media work, interfaith coalition build- use those tools to influence corporations, that respect the rights and dignity of all from the past 25 years. ing, advocacy in Washington and at the which are actors in global conflict in a way people.’” U.N., collecting material aids, and, even- they didn’t use to be. —The Nation Magazine, which named the Q: How did you get involved in working for tually the Campaign of Conscience, an AFSC’s Roots for Peace Program in Los Angeles. Photo: Crystal Gonzalez/AFSC action “Most Valuable Protest” of 2018 social change? AFSC campaign to break the sanctions Q: What would you say are AFSC’s A: I grew up in a multicultural and multi- by importing water purification devices strengths? faith family; my mom was Russian Jewish, into Iraq. Over time, we really did change A: AFSC can make connections in ways On criminal justice reform and my dad was Iraqi Muslim.