Tom Walz may be the tireless force behind Iowa City's alternative cultural experience, Uptown Bill's Small Mall, but the work of the mall is the legacy of an amazing mentally retarded man, Bill Sachter. Because of his experience with Bill, Tom found his life's work, helping people with disabilities own and run their own businesses.
Catholic
A Day of Forgiveness and Rebirth
On September 11, 2007, the people of Eau Claire gathered at Phoenix Park to remember the events of 6 years earlier, but also to seek a way forward to a better, healed world. Take part in the music, reflection and visioning of the event on this program, including the keynote by Mike Boehm, founder of the My Lai Peace Park & Loan Fund, and other acts of reconciliation with Vietnam, Japan and Central America.
International Peace Observatory in Colombia
Kelly has served one year in Colombia, South America, as part of the International Peace Observatory (IPO), and is heading back now for further volunteer service doing human rights accompaniment. She shares stories "from the ground" in Colombia, the people, the violence and the causes.
John Williams - Pax Christi, Peacemaking & Psychotherapy
John Williams was a Catholic priest in his 20's, till he felt another calling. He taught for decades at University of Wisconsin - Stout, in the Human Development and Family Living Department. Now in semi-retirement, he has help found a Pax Christi chapter at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Menomonie.
Midwifery - Martha Nieman & Brenda Gagnon
Martha Nieman and Brenda Gagnon are nurse midwives in Eau Claire with a few decades of experience between them. They share of the spiritual nature of their work and how it flows from and is rooted in their spiritual lives.
Mike Boehm - Vietnam Peace Park and Loan Fund
Mike Boehm was angry after the Vietnam War, a war for which he volunteered, as he learned of the deceipt and injustice that were part of that war. After a retreat from society, he found a new and powerful calling as he became the leading force toward establishment of 2 peace parks and many micro-credit loan funds to heal some of the wounds of the war, both for Americans and Vietnamese.
Vietnam Vet, Recovering Alcoholic and Russian Sojourn
Pete Wagener spoke at the 2006 Veterans Day event sponsored by the Veterans for Peace. His stories about what he learned in his 4 years with the Marines, in facing his alcoholism, and in the course of the 5 years he spent in Russia, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, are personal and powerful.
Network of Spiritual Progressives - Steering Committee for Eau Claire
There is a lot of energy for the newly formed chapter of the Network of Spiritual Progressives in Eau Claire, and I visited with the members of the just-formed steering committee about what called them to this work, and what their plans are for the local chapter.
National Peace Foundation - Sarah Harder & Olga Bessolova
Sarah Harder is the President of the National Peace Foundation, and Olga Bessolova is a Russian-born, Soviet-raised activist with the organization. They "Build Foundations for Peace" through a number of programs in Russia, the Middle East, Africa, the USA and elsewhere.
Cathy Sultan - A Beirut Heart
Cathy Sultan is the author of 2 books about Lebanon and the Middle East. She moved to Beirut with her Lebanese husband in 1969, at the age of 26. Her 14 years there included the first 8 years of the Lebanese civil war. Her first-hand experience with and love of the Middle East, with the Muslims, Jews and Christians of that ravaged land and of the US make her an invaluable resource and inspiration for peace work in that region.