Welcome to the winter issue of the AFSC Alumni Newsletter!
This year, I’d like to ask you to consider making a monthly gift to AFSC before Jan. 31. Monthly gifts are the easiest way to sustain AFSC’s worldwide work for peace and justice—you’ll get fewer appeals from us while providing steady resources so we can respond quickly to new challenges as they arise!
If you are already are a sustainer, now is a great time to consider increasing your contribution. Just $5 a month means a whole world to our staff and the communities we work with around the globe.
With deep appreciation,
Tonya Histand
Alumni Director
Alumni news & notes
Barbara Bird has a long history with AFSC, beginning in India and including serving with her partner, Donna Anderton, as co-director of AFSC's international affairs program in Asia from 1989 to 1995. Barbara passed away on Sept. 1.
In July, Doug Hostetter was one of six peace activists from the U.S awarded with the “For peace and friendship among nations” medal by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations in recognition of their contributions to peace and friendship between the two countries. Doug was the executive secretary for AFSC in New England.
Lois Booth was one of the founding members of the AFSC New Hampshire support committee, created in 1975 before an office opened in the state and staff was hired. Lois, who also served for many years on New England regional peace and executive committees, died in September.
Wafa Shami, who worked for AFSC as the Middle East Peace Education Program coordinator in Los Angeles, recently published a new children's book.
Natalie Kempner was a longtime member of various New England committees, and served with AFSC in Europe and Africa. She passed away in November.
Gary Massoni was the Director of Programs for the Southwest region of AFSC in Pasadena, California, with a strong commitment to justice for farmworkers and peace in Palestine and Israel. Read more about his life.
AFSC served as a source of support for Severyn Bruyn’s lifetime of activism. He passed away last spring at the age of 91.
Do you have news to share? Email us today!
Archive dive
Did you ever knit for AFSC? Haverford College’s Archives shared these knitting patterns that AFSC used during World War I.
After World War II, AFSC hosted an exchange program with Stuttgart, Germany to 'increase knowledge of each other's problems and heighten mutual respect.' Last autumn marked a celebration of the 70th anniversary of this program, which is now coordinated by the Rotary Club.
AFSC today
Enjoy these snapshots from 2019! Here are some of the highlights from our work over the past year, made possible with your support.
Read this interview with Jennifer Bing discussing how activists got a member of Congress to introduce an unprecedented bill in support of Palestinian children’s human rights.
Congratulations to the film “Dawnland” for winning an Emmy for outstanding research! “Dawnland” features AFSC's Denise Altvater and explores the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission between a sovereign tribal nation (the Wabanaki) and a U.S. state (Maine) – a process that was supported by AFSC.
More ways to connect with AFSC
- Join our upcoming webinar with AFSC’s General Secretary, Joyce Ajlouny, and immigrant rights organizer, Itzel Hernandez, on Feb. 28 at 2pm.
- No war with Iran! Tell Congress to do everything in their power to stop the Trump administration from bringing us closer to war with Iran!
- Watch this interview with Peter Sturm, who encountered AFSC in Germany during WWII. Then encourage others who have been touched by AFSC in some way, like Peter, to become part of the Alumni Network!
- Support the future of peace and justice by naming AFSC as a beneficiary of your will or retirement plan. For more information, contact Alyssa Chatten, director of planned giving, or visit us online.
Thank you for reading our AFSC Alumni Newsletter! To learn more about our Alumni Network and connect with former friends and colleagues, visit our webpage and Facebook group. You can also email me questions and suggestions.