President’s Corner: Creating Bridges of Peace

Dear friends,

In this Memorial Day season, as we commemorate the hundreds of thousands of mostly men—fathers, husbands, and sons—who gave their lives for their nation, we are devastated to witness the current state of our society in America. This is marked most notably by the recent senseless shootings of innocent schoolchildren in Texas and the racist slayings of shoppers in Buffalo, NY—not to mention the increasing violence and killings in our homes and streets, even in small and remote villages and communities.

How far have we come away from what is true, good, and decent—from what is moral and from knowing what is right and wrong?

We women and mothers weep with the families who have lost their innocent children and pray for their souls and for the healing of their families. At the same time, as we think of the future and our next generation, we ask ourselves, wherein lies the answer and the solution to all of this?

There is one thing we mothers can and must do right now, and that is to thoroughly educate, re-educate, and guide our children and youth toward righteousness, godly values and principles, and a relationship with our Creator. Now is the right time to focus on the goodness in ourselves and those around us, instead of being swallowed up by all the darkness and confusion.

Remembering the story of the two wolves (and they are in each of us), WFWP is committed to intensify our efforts to promote, speak about, and highlight the good that is still there, and to hold each other accountable to be the best we can be.

We also call on all women and mothers to create bridges of the heart wherever we go, starting with our family and immediate environment, and also to encourage our men and husbands to do the same. 

During the month of May, our Global Women's Peace Network Arizona chapter resurrected our WFWP Bridge of Peace Project, which had been on hold the last few years. And to our surprise, two local TV camera crews showed up and a station later aired one minute of the event and an interview with me.

May this be the beginning of more Bridge of Peace ceremonies around the nation (please note that the Project, which embodies the values we stand for, is trademarked by WFWP). But most importantly, let us create or rebuild the KEY BRIDGE, which is the one with our Creator, our God, who will give us the strength to be able to weather the storms around us and stay true to what is good, righteous, and beautiful!

With prayers and hope,

Angelika