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began in 1999 to help connect women internationally, share information and work for ecological health and peace with justice in the new millennium. But our roots go back to an earlier Women and Life on Earth movement.

"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 original WLOE logo, women in the phases of the moon, was designed by artist Bonnie Acker in 1980.

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

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. 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 and excellent interns 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. 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." and received non-profit status in January 2004.

Since 2002 we have worked from an office in the center of Berlin, Germany, since 2007 also in Bonn. Our non-profit association "Women and Life on Earth: women in international cooperation for peace, ecology and social justice" was staffed for the first four years by volunteers and interns, funded by contributions and project work.

In 2006 we shifted our website to a new open content format. This work is still on-going. In late 2007 we began our work with Planet Diversity, which was great, but delayed the launching our first fundraising drive. But it's coming soon!

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."

last update: 19 April 2008