Grandmothers for Peace International

Address Change

Over the next several months we are changing our box number and zip code. Both boxes are now open and will be until January 2009, so your mail will be delivered even if you have an "old" envelope. This will be a gradual change with as little inconvenience as possible.

New address:

Grandmothers for Peace International
PO Box 1292
Elk Grove, CA 95759-1292

Help the Environment and GFP!

Are you considering buying a “store” canvas bag for your grocery shopping? Why not use your Grandmothers for Peace tote, or purchase one from us? If you shop twice a week you would save two plastic bags from going into the landfill by using our tote for part of your purchase. Doesn’t sound like much does it? Well, in a month you would save eight bags, and in a year that would be 96 bags. Multiply that by perhaps a thousand of us doing that and it is 96,000 less bags in a landfill. more

Grandmothers Against the War

Joan Wile's book, "Grandmothers Against The War: Getting Off Our Fannies and Standing Up For Peace" is now available! Joan has graciously devoted a section to Grandmothers for Peace International. In November of 2003, Joan Wile founded Grandmothers Against the War in New York City. She contacted me in January of 2004 and since then we have exchanged over 600 e-mail messages! During that time I told her NYC was "the window to the world" and would be very successful with her efforts. Visit their website

Military Recruitment Opt-Out Form Online

Federal public law 107110, section 9528 of the ESEA, “No Child Left Behind Act” requires school districts to release student names, addresses, and phone numbers to military recruiters upon their request. The military uses this information to recruit students. The law also requires the school district to notify you of your right to opt-out from this by requesting that the district not release your information to military recruiters.

Although schools provide this information as required by law, it is frequently buried within the pages of student or parent handbooks and no form is provided to facilitate opting-out. Please read and redistribute our booklet containing information about military recruitment in our schools; an opt-out form is included:

• What Families Need to Know about Military Recruiting in High Schools and Colleges (English PDF)
• Lo Que las Familias Necesitan Saber Acerca del Reclutamiento Militar en Escuelas Preparatorias y Colegios (Spanish PDF)

2008 Scholarship Winners

GFP is pleased to announce the scholarship winners for 2008 from the Barbara Wiedner and Dorothy Vandercook Memorial Scholarship Foundation. (more)

Reinstating the Draft

Since there appears to be constant “chatter” about reinstating the draft, these contacts might help:

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO)
Phone: (888) 231-2226
E-mail: info@objector.org
Website: objector.org

405 14th St. #205
Oakland, CA 94612-2701
Phone: (510) 465-1617
Fax: (510) 465-2459

1515 Cherry St.
Philadelphia PA 19102
Phone: (215) 563-8787
Fax: (215) 567-2096

GI Rights Hotline
Phone: (800) FYI-95GI

Military Out of Our Schools Hotline
Phone: (800) NO-JROTC

Our Beloved Founder, Barbara Wiedner 1928-2001

Barbara Wiedner

On December 2nd, 2001, Sunday evening, Founder and Director of Grandmothers for Peace Barbara Wiedner left this earth. We mourn her death, but rejoice in the legacy she has left for all of us.

Barbara was working on, but never finished, a farewell message to her beloved organization. She was most concerned that the group would continue. It will continue — with help from those that wear the GFP shirt, you reading this, our supporters, and future members.

There will always be a Grandmothers for Peace, because it is now beyond an organization. It is a movement. While we still long for a peaceful world, Barbara is truly a Grandmother at Peace.

With Love and Sadness, Lorraine Krofchok

Barbara Wiedner: A Tribute

Grandmother for Peace Peg McIntire wrote a touching recollection several days before Barbara died. She has some beautiful thoughts to share. (more)

The Starfish Flinger

As the old man walked down the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Finally catching up with the youth, he asked him why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun.

“But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish,” countered the other. “How can your effort make any difference?” The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and then threw it to safety in the waves.

“It makes a difference to that one,” he said.