A CALL TO WOMEN Mother’s Day

I am a peace activist who believes in nonviolence. This is a challenge to go further than Len states in his blog. It is a plan to utilize the “collective voice,” not just honor it. It is a “Call to Women” to arise as Julia Ward Howe requested.

This is a challenge to people around the world, women, and men, to use Mother’s Day, as an opportunity to break down barriers of nationalism, religion, and ideology to work for the common good of humankind. We do this “For the Children.” A “Call to Women” is the method.

Sister Joan Chittister, September 11th, 2004, at the Omega / V Day conference, “Women and Power” said, “The lives of our children, the protection of millions, the hopes of all humankind, wait again now for women, from opposite cultures, opposite tradition, to step over the line of political hatred to save them.”

Women have at their fingertips, the strongest, most powerful political tool—nonviolence! Mahatma Gandhi said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”
Women represent nonviolence more than any other element!

Women, the world needs you, now! If all the women in the world get together for peace, who is going to stop you? All the women must come together because there is going to be violence. History has taught us that war will come again. Only a pro-active, mandate, will help to prevent war. It is time for a pre-emptive strike against war, world wide!

Starhawk wrote about women standing for peace as the representation of a “vision of strength.” “Real security can come only when we weave a global web of mutual aid and support. As we make larger connections and take action together, we must assert what we as women know to be true: compassion is not weakness, and brutality is not strength.”

An incredible opportunity exists. The ability to communicate around the world is at an unprecedented high level. A comprehensive plan can bring millions and millions of people from around the world together. The world needs all of the individual efforts for peace, but it also needs a unified plan. A “Call to Women” is that plan.

Women must proclaim “We are not enemies” and be willing to stand up to support the concept. Does “We are not enemies,” give women strength? Does “We are not enemies” give strength to the moderate voice?

The time has come for change. Will you change? Will you stand up for peace? Will you join millions of women?

An extract from the writings of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith, in a book entitled Women, states about women, “…when they form a conscious and overwhelming mass of public opinion against war there can be no war.”

This is an announcement to begin preparation.

ANNOUNCING:

Women, the time has come to mobilize around the world for peace, and create change, not wait for it. The following Proclamation and Oath are examples of what will be promoted:

WOMEN are rallying everywhere
WOMEN are standing up for PEACE
WOMEN are asking everyone to join
WOMEN want change

"Tentative Action Date -
June 21, 2009 -

Watch for Announcements"
Be Ready

Plus 24 events over the following 2 years! (More if needed)

Mother’s Day was born from a Mother's Day proclamation for peace, written in 1870 by Julia Ward Howe. It was born from an abhorrence of war. Today, an abhorrence for war still exists. Will the world accept a political and philosophical movement to create peace? Are you able to imagine a massive movement for Peace? It can happen. It is happening. It is happening NOW.

Read about women standing up (www.standingwomen.org) on Mother’s Day for Peace.

Standing Women Declaration

We are standing for the world’s children and grandchildren, and for the seven generations beyond them.
We dream of a world where all of our children have safe drinking water, clean air to breathe, and enough food to eat.
A World where they have access to a basic education to develop their minds and healthcare to nurture their growing bodies.
A world where they have a warm, safe and loving place to call home.
A world where they don’t live in fear of violence—in their home, in their neighborhood, in their school and in their world.
This is the world of which we dream.
This is the cause for which we stand.

Women’s groups abound! Initiative’s are being planned. Change is in the air. There are thousands of humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGO’s). But, they have no political clout, they attract little media attention, they are not funded, they have no long term strategy. All the women’s orgs are doing fantastic work, but do not get attention. At the Conference of the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN in March, 2008, the reports were that women are not being listened to and do not get funding.

PROPHESY 2008

WOMEN will come to prominence in the year 2009.
WOMEN will lead the world in the largest, nonviolent peace movement the world has ever seen.
Non-governmental, WOMEN leaders will form a Council of Women to proactively direct the movement, as Julia Ward Howe called for in 1870. “…In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”

The world will be on the brink of violence and out of the depths of necessity, a Woman Leader will command the attention of the world for calm heads to prevail.

Thankfully, because the women act proactively, the world will be prepared to react peacefully with a “Global Strategy of Nonviolence.” That was the original intention of the United Nations and the League of Nations. Presently, the United Nations needs to be empowered by the people.

A NEW WORLD IS COMING! FIRST, there will be hardship and pain. No illusions. History has taught us that war is inevitable.

People have a choice ahead of them. Do they want war or peace? Or asked another way, do they want to try and prevent war, and whether it comes or not, exhibit to the children, the doctrine passed on by the sages throughout history – Nonviolence Works! If people do not say it or illustrate it, in every village green of the world, people of the future will not know the value of nonviolence.

Therefore:
It is time for people to make a decision. It is time for a proactive life and death struggle.
It is time for words versus arms, pessimism changed to optimism, frustration, futileness, and despair changed to participation, activism, and action. It is time to create a voice and take a voice. It is time to take a stance to change the hearts and minds of others by setting an example, not trying to force them.

* This is for everyone, women and men!

The headlines will read, “WOMEN Mobilized Around the World for Peace.”

WOMEN will be the SYMBOL of Peace and Nonviolence.

SYMBOLISM
Samurai Warrior Story
Told by Sister Joan Chittister, September 11, 2004, at the Omega/VDay conference:

“Once upon a time, a Samurai warrior appeared at the temple of an old Buddhist Nun, wanting to know the difference between heaven and hell. You wouldn’t understand if I told you, the old nun said to him, and he scowled and he hissed at her. Anyway, you are too weak a man to practice it, the old Nun went on. And the Samurai growled and stamped his feet. You are clearly only the shadow of a man, the old nun finished, and she looked away. The Samurai swung his sword out of its scabbard, whirled it around her head and brought it down, slashing down an inch from her neck. She looked up at him calmly, and she said, that Sir, is the gate of Hell. The Samurai stepped back, thunderstruck by the insight. He dropped his sword in front of her. He folded his hands over his heart. He stepped back and he bowed to her, deep, deeper, deeply, all the way to the waist, and the old Nun said quietly, that Sir, is the gate of heaven.”

Men, this is for you also! Who were the predominant people fighting in every war throughout history? The answer is men. Can it be assumed that most people, men and women, do not want war? If men fought in every war, and people do not want war, doesn’t it seem logical that women should fight to prevent it? Men should be courting women to prevent war, if they truly believe they don’t want war. This is the test, for men and women.

A “Call to Women” is a comprehensive plan designed with women as a catalyst for the mobilization of the peace movement around the world. The strategy is to have millions of women stimulate thousands of peace and spiritual organizations to join forces and exert political influence on governments around the world. The theory is that without the use of fear or oppression, the strength of “unity” will empower and initiate paradigm change. The key is to be proactive. It is time for all of the peace organizations to live up to their mission statements and challenge the world. All individuals and groups have their linear focus, but the focus must be two-fold, linear and worldly, a worldly goal of PEACE !

A “Call to Women” will also act as an emergency plan. As the police have, the fire department has, and the military has, the peace movement can be ready to answer the question, what do we do if? An objective of a Call to Women is to portray an awareness for people and governments to, as Gene Sharp wrote in Making the Abolition of War a Realistic Goal, “perceive the existence and effectiveness of an alternative nonmilitary means of defense.”

How strong does this message have to be to move the women of the world? Or what catastrophe is going to occur, what disaster, what holocaust will occur to create a peace movement? Will it be too late? Already, there are emergency e-mails for vigils and protest, on a daily basis, from Israel and Palestine. What happens when the next terrorist bomb strikes somewhere in the world? What type of violent “reaction” will take place when the United States is threatened?

The most difficult segment may be finding the courage to illustrate nonviolence. A Call to Women is designed for people to know that they are not alone. The strength of the many will help to eliminate fear.

Women, there is a force right at your fingertips. It is right in front of your eyes. It is in the room with you. Women, you can do anything you want to do. Women, This is your opportunity to exert your strength which will affect other women’s issues.

Senator Kennedy gave the Profile in Courage Award and said in behalf of President Kennedy the award goes to those that are in a position of authority and have the courage to do the right thing while confronting dissenting views.

A Call to Women is a three year, three phase plan. The first phase promotes NV. The second phase promotes conflict resolution. The third phase promotes programs for the children as a priority. Guidelines are prepared for administration, funding, marketing, implementation, and follow-up. The strategy is implemented through an initiative called a Call to Women, a World-Wide Unity Campaign.

The key elements are unity, nonviolence, commitment for the children, and conflict resolution. A GS of NV is a social movement. It is a political movement.

A “Call to Women” does not exclude men. Can it be assumed that most people, men and women, do not want war? Who were the predominant people fighting in every war throughout history? The answer is men. If men fought in every war, and people do not want war, doesn’t it seem logical that women should fight to prevent it? Men should be courting women to prevent war, if they truly believe they don’t want war. This is the test, for men and women.

A “Call to Women” will be the “largest, nonviolent” movement the world has ever seen! The strategy states: We come in peace, we offer the olive branch, we are not a threat, we are not enemies, we are all part of the family of the human race. we have common bonds, we apologize for our misdeeds, we forgive your misdeeds, we need to heal the wounds, we need to start a GLOBAL ACTION to “break down borders.”

A “Call to Women” is a plan of action, but will be conducted with humility, respect, and nonviolence. A “Call to Women” is a plan for every village, town, and city in every country of the world (local). The people don’t have to go to Washington, or New York. People will be able to contribute from their own hometown. Men are not excluded.

A “Call to Women” is designed as a catalyst for the mobilization of women and is ready for implementation now. To paraphrase Sister Joan Chittister, from a speech at the Omega/VDay Conference in New York City, September 11, 2004, there must be a universal call to women and an organized international voice for peace.

PROCLAMATION:
With respect, we, the women of the world are declaring that we will not allow war in the world and we will intervene with every NON-VIOLENT means possible to prevent it or stop it! We do this “For the Children.”

OATH of NONVIOLENCE:
I pledge my life to nonviolence.
With calm persistence, silent, but boisterous,
I resist violence, to set an example of non-violence.
I will not kill.
If I die, do not avenge my death, for I do this willingly, “For the Children.”
I accept the sacrifice that is required to accomplish my goal.
I understand there will be risks.

RECOMMENDED STRATEGY:
“Global Strategy of Nonviolence, For the Children”
A People Movement, led by women, but not exclusive to women
Implemented by an initiative called a
“Call to Women, a World-Wide Unity Campaign”

STEPS:
Create unity.
Set an example, a precedent, a model, for the future.
Be a SYMBOL of Peace
Create the opportunity. Send a message of Peace. Illustrate Nonviolence
Create a mandate.
Put a team together. Work for common goals to solve problems.

Create a system, a procedure, a reaction for everyone who does not want war and wants to try everything and anything first before going to war.

Be the leaders, the teachers, but at the same time,
Be the students, the followers of nonviolence.

Create a Legacy
This movement is not about righteousness, it is about desire. The movement does not know if the strategy chosen is right or wrong, better or worse.

Respect the opposite view. The desire of people who want a strong military
action is understandable. The movement is stating we want it another way.

Spread the Word
Watch for info
Prepare in advance
Write songs, poems, books about NV

For Details – see www.globalstrategyofnonviolence.org
contact andre@gsofnv.org

The elements will live on forever. They enhance compassion, kindness, and generosity (See http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/). The support will come from religious, spiritual, and ideological sectors, including anti-war and humanitarian organizations.

Martin Luther King stated, in the Riverside Church speech, “Beyond Vietnam”, April 4th, 1967, “Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies.”

UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan wrote, “Women, who know the price of conflict so well, are also often better equipped than men to prevent or resolve it. For generations, women have served as peace educators, both in their families and in their societies. They have proved instrumental in building bridges rather than walls. They have been crucial in preserving social order when communities have collapsed.”

Women, will you challenge the world? Will you stand up for peace? Will you join millions of women? It is an atrocity that the children of the future are learning the wrong thing! They are learning violence begets violence and revenge and retribution are important. The adults are making grave mistakes for the future. Is that enough impetus for radical change?

A “Call to Women” does not exclude men. Why are women selected? Women have an advantage. Generally, women, throughout the world, have been socialized to be less violent and more collaborative than men. Women can facilitate unity. Not to say women have all the answers, or are morally superior, but what is plausible is if women are the peacemakers, it can be different. Therefore, without the use of fear and oppression, the strength of unity will empower and initiate paradigm change.

Change begins with working together, around the world, in one major effort to stop war!
The time has come to make a choice. People have the ability to decide for themselves the type of life they want.

This proposal is a peaceful call for action, to bring world-wide unity for the children. It is time to make history. The world needs a “mandate”, a mandate for peace! To quote Arudhati Roy, “This movement of ours needs a major, global victory”. The world needs a focal point of peace.

This is not about preaching to the choir. This is about how to utilize the strength of nonviolence. Women do not realize what they have. They have the power to change the world. All they have to do is try. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the morning headlines read,“WOMEN TO THE RESCUE?” (Part one)

Will history say, women, you had the chance and you blew it? It was a lost opportunity. You had the chance to be proactive and save the world but you did not do it. Women, Peace is WITHIN YOUR GRASP ! The time has come for change.

Howard Zinn, author of “A People’s History of the United States”, wrote, “We need to assert our allegiance to the human race, and not to any one nation.” Zinn also wrote, in describing national boundaries and war, “Should we not begin to consider all children, everywhere, as our own? In that case, war, which in our time is always an assault on children, would be unacceptable as a solution to the problems of the world.”

In an article entitled, Female religious leaders take on peace-building by Religion News Service, Dena Merriam, a coalition leader of The Global Peace Initiative of Women stated, “It is the children who are suffering the most in the current conflicts.” Women must come together on their behalf and demand an end to the violence that is taking too many young lives.” Here-in lies the vision.

THIS IS A CHALLENGE FOR ALL TIME. A CHALLENGE OF THE AGES!
There’s a storm coming. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to put out the storm with reason and compassion, and prove non-violence is a stronger force than war?

There are hundreds of coalitions waiting for a catalyst. There are millions of people waiting for a catalyst. A “Call to Women” can be that catalyst! All the world’s peace orgs, NGOs, grassroot orgs, and religious organizations will follow. Your help networking can bring them together world-wide.

It is time for all of the peace organizations to live up to their mission statements and challenge the world. All groups have their linear focus, but the focus must be two-fold, linear and worldly, a worldly goal of PEACE !

We Humbly - Request your help

We Spiritually - Thank you for the opportunity

Respectfully- We challenge you

How beautiful the world is when we live and work together in peace! SMILE.

Apology: This Mother’s Day announcement is also late. I hope it is not too late!)

For more information, please see www.globalstrategyofnonviolence.org

Submitted by
Andre Sheldon, Facilitator
107 Withington Road,
Newton, MA 02460

617-964-5267
andre@gsofnv.org