Gabriel Constans is a free lance writer whose newest book is Buddha's Wife, a book that explores different approaches to compassion and the role of women in Buddhism (and much more). Kathryn Erskine is the author of Quaking, set in a post 9-11 community where people have to wrestle with the promise and demons of peace-making in a fearful, war-eager, world, seen through the eyes of a troubled teen.
Quaker
Fit For Freedom, Not For Friendship - Donna McDaniel and Vanessa Julye
A visit with Donna McDaniel & Vanessa Julye, co-authors of Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship: Quakers, African Americans and the Myth of Racial Justice.
Healing Racism Around The World - David & Joy Zarembka
David Zarembka is a tireless force behind the African Great Lakes Initiative to deal with the aftermath of the Hutu-Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. His daughter, Joy, whose mother is Kenyan, has a newly released book, "The Pigment of Your Imagination: Mixed Race in a Global Society" which explores the experiences of those of "mixed race" - including her own.
Ellen Seagren Goes to Rwanda
Ellen Seagren called on her community, Twin Cities Friends Meeting, for clearness and to support her in her leading to travel to Rwanda in connections with Friends Peace House. Ellen spent a month in Rwanda and returned with glimpses of life there and a sense of changes she wanted to bring back with her, for herself and for our nation.
Estonian Artists for Peace and Unity
Too few Americans know about Estonia's amazing, non-violent, "Singing Revolution" for independence from the USSR, but it is but one of the characteristics that make the country fertile ground for Leon Miller's work with the International Association for Religious Freedom.
Peterson Toscano - Ex-gay Survivor
Peterson's born-again experience at the age of 17 catapulted him into the world of Evangelical Christianity, good except that Peterson was, and is, gay. After 17 years of attempting to become "ex-gay", he finally had to accept his reality and seek healing and wholeness. Through his theatrical and stand-up comedy pieces like "Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House" and other work, Peterson has become a leading proponent of the Ex-gay Survivor Movement/Beyond Ex-gay.
The Local Eating Challenge - Ann Hippensteel
Inspired by the Local Food Challenge of SustainDoor.org, Ann Hippensteel has gone the past year eating food grown and produced within 100 miles of her home, and it's been a year of discovery, attuning to the land and dealing with global environmental issues, right at home.
Peace Studies - Professor Ian Harris, UW-Milwaukee
Ian Harris has spent 32 years as part of the faculty of the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He started by teaching a selection of Education courses, but found his home specializing as a Peace Studies instructor. Ian has guided students through all the multiple levels and phases of Peace Studies over the last few decades, preparing his students to make a much-needed difference in the world through their active, engaged Peace Work.
Davida Johns - "Mature" Peace Corps volunteer and ProNica - Quaker aid to Nicaragua
Davida Johns is the stateside organizer of an organization called ProNica - in favor of Nicaragua, folks who reach out to some Latin American friends, providing life-enhancing assistance to a country badly treated by the US government. Davida came to this job following her experience as a Peace Corps volunteer in Belize when she was in her 50's.
Risë Hunter - Monteverde, Costa Rica and The Cloud Forest School
A visit with Risë Hunter of Monteverde Friends School, who originally moved to Costa Rica to work at the Cloud Forest School, a private school for environmental education. The launching place for her spiritual journey? Catoctin Quaker Camp!