Celebrating 29 Years of WFWP!
Twenty-nine years ago, at the founding of the Women's Federation for World Peace in the United States, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon said, “Starting now, in this year of the woman, we must be the model movement of true love for the whole world. We must begin with ourselves and unify our minds and bodies and become vertically connected with God's true love. We must then live for the sake of others to bring about love and understanding with those around us.” This month we celebrated with 100 women across North America (and a few from South America) nearly three decades of answering that call of Mother Moon to become women who live by the logic of love in our families, communities, nations, and world.
At the virtual 29th Anniversary Party on April 10, 2021, we celebrated together the amazing foundation and work which had been laid not just in the United States, but also internationally, with sharing of testimonies, fellowship, music, and lots of fun and laughter. After an introductory video highlighting all the work of WFWP across the world, everyone enjoyed recorded anniversary greetings from WFWP International Senior Vice President Dr. Sun Jin Moon and City of Chandler, AZ Councilwoman Christine Ellis. It was a special treat to hear from both former WFWP USA Presidents: Mrs. Nora Spurgin and Mrs. Alexa Ward. Their leadership and contribution at the beginning stages of WFWP helped create the culture and activities which many know and love today.
Mrs. Spurgin recounted being present in South Korea in 1992 at the Seoul Olympic Stadium when Mother Moon proclaimed the Era of Women and her vision of women playing a significant role in global peacemaking through launching this organization. As the first President of WFWP USA, Mrs. Spurgin and many other women built WFWP from scratch, drawing up on the untapped energy, leadership skills, and talent of these women. Through various projects, they brought love, healing, and happiness as only women can do in their own special role.
Mrs. Ward, who also previously served as Deputy Director for the WFWP International Office of UN Relations and is currently Senior Advisor and Board Member for WFWP International, shared about the uniqueness of WFWP’s focus on encouraging women to cultivate our character and hearts as the foundation for leadership, development, and ultimately, peace. Mrs. Ward spoke on the very deep underpinning of WFWP’s focus on maternal love. Through WFWP and the leadership of Mother Moon, we are asking of ourselves and others to express that love of a mother not just for our own children, but also for children of friends, children of strangers, and even children of an enemy.
Our current WFWP USA President, Mrs. Angelika Selle, who has served in this role since 2010, gave a special Anniversary Message for the occasion. Her recent contributions to WFWP include, but not limited to, bringing spirituality to WFWP, strengthening grassroots initiatives including leadership training, marriage and family education, Cornerstone of the Heart education, and developing the Global Women’s Peace Network. The number one word that comes to mind when she thinks of WFWP as a community of heart and love is JOY. At WFWP she also found a place to use her passions, gifts, and talents to make the amazing vision of peace a reality, a vision set out by WFWP Founders Father and Mother Moon. WFWP’s motto of “living by the logic of love” may sound simple, but we are challenging ourselves to transform ourselves to become agents of change. We celebrate our womanhood, motherhood, and the power we each have as women.
Over the past 29 years, WFWP has impacted many women, whether they have been involved since 1992 or within the last few months. Four wonderful women, young and seasoned, shared moving testimonies on how being part of WFWP has impacted their lives. Rev. Dr. Juanita Pierre-Louis, WFWP USA Senior Vice President, having been involved since the founding of WFWP, shared about the tremendous energy and strength which has permeated throughout the past 29 years from the national to the local level. Kiyomi Schmidt, WFWP USA Outreach Director, shared how she has been able to tangibly contribute toward lasting peace and developed her peace leadership skills such as believing in herself through WFWP. Mary Ellen Legay, WFWP Hawaii Chairwoman shared about the knowing that peace is possible she experienced in WFWP through the Founders and the love and heart of so many women leaders. Finally, Eliana Rapada, member of WFWP Girls in New Jersey, spoke on the various service projects she helped with which taught her gratitude and to be patient as a young woman leader. With so much cheerful reminiscing going on, participants also shared via chat how WFWP has impacted them and their lives.
No party is complete without dancing! WFWP USA Vice President Katarina Connery invited everyone to let their hair down for a moment and dance together or just clap along. We couldn’t help but feel happy just enjoying such a precious time together. The second portion of the program, emceed by WFWP USA’s National Assistant for the GWPN, Angie Buczynski, was dedicated to even more fun, music, and games. Those who wanted to participate tested their knowledge about WFWP’s history through a virtual quiz and the winners received a WFWP mask as a prize. The highlight of the evening, though, was the Best Dressed Contest. Several women competed, showing off their beautiful jewelry, hats, blouses, dresses, and handbags. It was a difficult decision, but after votes from the audience, Mrs. Elizabeth Aihe, Chairwoman for the WFWP DC Chapter emerged as the Best Dressed for the evening! To cap it off, WFWP USA Membership Coordinator, Hana Deshotel, shared how anyone can support this amazing peace work through building a culture of heart (such as at this very party!) through becoming a member.
Overall, it was a wonderful evening of connecting together as women and creating a joyful and uplifting atmosphere. We honor and thank all the many women (and supporting gentlemen) who have invested much time and energy to create WFWP into more than just an organization, but a place of true sisterhood, motherly love, embracing love, and also joy. As Mother Moon has said, “The central role of women is all the more vital if the unfolding century is to be characterized not by power and technology, but by culture and by love.” On such a note, we look forward to the next three decades of culture and love brought by many more amazing women of peace.