Goodby, Melanie, and thank you!
Melanie Shouse, a tireless advocate for social justice and particularly health care reform, passed away after a long struggle with breast cancer.
There will be a memorial service for Melanie on Saturday, February 13th at 3:00 PM at the CRC (Central Reform Congregation) at 5020 Waterman Blvd. Melanie will be sorely missed.
Haiti Earthquake Response and Analysis
New: Haiti's Tragic History Is Entwined with the Story of America
What is Haiti owed? Two centuries of predatory debt burden
Jared Diamond differences between Haiti and Dominican Republic
How to Help Haiti, Today and Beyond - ColorLines analysis & suggestions
Haiti Action grassroots support
Peace Alliance links to aid groups
American Friends Service Committee peace and justice
CARE fighting the roots of poverty
Google resource page for Haiti Earthquake
Democracy Now news and context
Juan Cole Why Wall Street should tithe its bonuses to Haiti
Petition to credit card processors - waive ALL fees on charitable contributions!
Jobs with Justice Hiring Operations Coordinator
Missouri JwJ is hiring an Operations Coordinator. This position is based in either the St. Louis or Kansas City office of Missouri JwJ. Deadline for applications is Friday, February 26, 2010. Details here.
Throughout Missouri, grassroots community, faith and labor leaders have come together to form a powerful statewide Missouri Jobs with Justice organization. This joins the 10-year old St. Louis Jobs with Justice coalition with an energized new Kansas City Jobs with Justice coalition.
Veterans For Peace (VFP) now hiring Executive Director
Veterans For Peace (VFP) seeks an Executive Director to lead the organization in a new period of growth and achievement. The position builds from a strong base of existing organizational assets. The ideal candidate will have solid fundraising and operational management skills, deep cultural competency, and a passion for VFP’s statement of purpose and goals. Veterans For Peace National Office is in Saint Louis, MO. Details here.
Gaza Freedom March ends - read their declaration
Update: January 1, 2010: The members of the Gaza Freedom March ended their presence in Cairo by issuing a declaration intended to provide a way forward for ongoing worldwide action in support of Palestine. See http://palestine.ctsastl.org/
St. Louisans Hedy Epstein, J'Ann Allen, and Sandra Tamari were among the 1400 Gaza Freedom Marchers in Cairo.
More...
Tribute to MFSO Founders: Charley Richardson's Legacy
When Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) began in November, 2002, co-founders Charley Richardson and Nancy Lessin’s son was being deployed to Iraq. They shared with other military families a deep fear and worry about those who would be in harm’s way for no good reason. They also share your deep commitment to bringing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to an end.
With their leadership, vision and hard work, combined with the support and involvement of a growing number of military families, MFSO grew to a powerful organization of more than 4,000 members, speaking out to end the wars in Iraq and now Afghanistan. It is the largest organization of military families speaking out against wars in the history of the country. MFSO helped to change the definition of what it meant to "support the troops," as MFSO’s mantra "Support Our Troops – Bring Them Home NOW!" caught on across the country.
MFSO co-founders Charley Richardson and Nancy Lessin now face a very personal struggle. Charley has been battling an advanced, aggressive cancer and the prognosis is poor.
After working tirelessly to amplify the voices of military families in the larger movement to end the wars, this tragic personal situation is curtailing their continued leadership in the organization. Their need to pull back, combined with the economic recession, has put Military Families Speak Out in financial jeopardy.
In Charley's honor, MFSO is establishing the Charley Richardson Legacy Fund. And we need your help to make it a success. We have a donor who has committed to matching contributions dollar for dollar, up to $15,000.
This Fund will celebrate the work that he and Nancy have contributed to MFSO and will provide the core support for MFSO to continue building a movement to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The voice of military families opposing these wars makes a difference. Support Military Families Speak Out and build a legacy to honor Charley.
http://mfsotribute.org/
In memory of Mary Jo Maroney
Mary Jo Maroney died Sunday, October 11, of cancer. She was a passionate and hardworking activist for racial and environmental justice and peace, a stalwart member of the Gateway Greens, and she loved her scooter. We miss her devotion and her smile.
Memorial Services for Mary Jo will be on Thursday, October 15th at 7 p.m., at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen St. Springfield, IL 62703. There will also be a service held in St. Louis on Sunday, October 18th at 2 p.m, at the Central Reform Congregation (CRC), 5020 Waterman Blvd. St. Louis, MO.
Mary Jo’s wish was to have donations made to the Sarcoma Foundation of America in lieu of flowers. An everlasting memorial will be available at mem.com. The obituary may be viewed here. Mary Jo's family appreciates all the love, support, and messages written for her. If you have pictures of her, please email Marybeth at Myoun3@uis.edu.
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