women and life on earth

background

Why this project is called "Women and Life on Earth"

"Women and Life on Earth" 1979-1982
In August 1979, after the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, the worst yet in the United States, 12 women from the northeastern U.S. active in anti-nuclear, alternative energy, peace and women's organizations held a special meeting. They discussed ecological feminism, and the relationship between women and ecology, feminism and non-violence. They decided to work together under the name "Women and Life on Earth" and agreed on a Unity Statement.

The group organized "Women and Life on Earth: a conference on eco-feminism in the '80's"
Held at the spring equinox of 1980, it brought together 600 women from the northeastern U.S.

Maria Mies on the 1980 Women and Life on Earth conference and ecofeminism, from her book with Vandana Shiva: Ecofeminism

The logo, women in the phases of the moon, was designed by artist
Bonnie Acker.

From the conference, organizing began for the Women's Pentagon Action. In November 1980, 2,000 women encircled the Pentagon demanding "no more amazing inventions for death."

Women and Life on Earth activities continued in the U.S. and Britain for several years.

"Women and Life on Earth" internet project, 1999

Two decades later, several women involved in the first WLOE joined with others to launch a Women and Life on Earth internet project to connect women internationally, share information and support changes necessary to ensure life and peace with justice in the new millennium. In August 1999 a first meeting was held in western Massachusetts, an international board of advisors was formed, and the project was sponsored by the A. J. Muste Memorial Institute . The advisory board approved the following goals:

We want:

to cut through the blockade of mainstream media using e-mail and internet, as well as word of mouth and creative non-violent direct action;

to recognize and promote the experience and knowledge of women and movements, locally and world-wide, with a multi-lingual site and center for information, analysis and actions on:

PEACE and justice: countering the multiple assaults on women, children and the elderly, along with environmental destruction;

ECOLOGY supporting production for sustainability; safe food, air and water free of chemical, genetic or atomic pollution; preventing environmental disasters through renewable energy use, conservation of energy and natural resources, sustainable transport, construction, development and lifestyles;

GLOBAL JUSTICE opposing corporate control and cultural destruction world-wide. For social and economic justice.

The war in Kosovo erupted soon afterwards, and the new network began to function almost spontaneously. Messages and news from women and civil society groups in Serbia and Kosovo, Europe and North America, were shared world-wide.

In 2001 the project moved to Berlin, Germany with its coordinator Anna Gyorgy. The 'war on terror' that followed the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S., and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq gave further proof of the need for international communication and solidarity for peace with justice. As the Women and Life on Earth project grew, its volunteer staff contributed to the world-wide movement for peace through communication and translation of women's statements and actions.
E-newletters and alerts were sent to women and groups in many countries. The website went on-line in February 2003, and development continued in English, German, French and Spanish language sections by volunteer editors and interns. As of mid-March 2006, the site had had more than 380,000 visits, averaging more than 3,500 visits per week. The German-based office is currently seeking funding to expand and promote its work. You can help too!

In September 2003 a German association was founded in Berlin: "Women and Life on Earth: women for international cooperation for peace, ecology and social justice e.V." The association, which was granted non-profit status from January 2004, is supported by members and volunteers, individual donations and project grants. The German association is currently coordinating the website and international work out of an office in central Berlin. It also organizes local programs and guest speakers.

Those of us working on this site and growing network hope to connect and work with women around the globe, under the motto borrowed from activist-writer Alice Walker: "Anything We Love Can Be Saved."