PRESIDENT'S CORNER (NOVEMBER '14)

Dear Friends,

It's the season to be grateful. And as we enter the holiday season and I have time to reflect on this year's activities, I do feel much gratitude and hope. Why? Because throughout this issue of our newsletter, I can feel the passion, commitment, and soul that motivate and drive the women, mothers, and young women of WFWP to do what they are doing.

We are also very grateful for a most amazing 22nd anniversary National Assembly this year in Washington, D.C., which drew some 40 young women, including students. Their spirit brought a special energy and excitement, and our seasoned women emanated a spirit of wisdom, warmth, grace, and beauty. Love carried the event throughout, as the many diverse speakers shared deep nuggets of wisdom with the audience, especially 15-year-old speaker Victoria Pannell (please read her speech on the website). Victoria answered the question of a 12-year-old girl, who was attending the assembly with her mother, on how she could get motivated to become involved in peacemaking.

Inspired by this experience at our assembly, our WFWP USA national board members decided in a recent meeting to open up membership to younger age groups, starting even from middle school, with the permission of their parents. We all could see the value of starting young ladies off at an earlier age to aspire to do great things with their lives.

We also launched a year-end membership drive -- and we invite you to join us! If you feel grateful to WFWP for the work we have been pursuing, we invite you to become a dues-paying member or to offer a gift membership to a friend or another member of your family. Men are also members of WFWP, and more women-supporting men are most welcome!

Wishing you a most wonderful Thanksgiving season!

With love,
Angelika