"RETURN TO THE SPIRIT OF MOTHER'S DAY"

GAO: Few Troops are Treated for Disorder



Eyes Wide Open
by AFSC
The AFSC's exhibit in honor of the fallen in Iraq returns to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this weekend.





For Those In Calif.
MOTHERHEARTS AND VETERANS FOR PEACE PRESENT
"RETURN TO THE SPIRIT OF MOTHER'S DAY"

MotherHearts, a local organization of peace conscious women, is planning a
community event to celebrate the original intent of Mother's Day as
described
in Julia Ward Howe's Mother's Day Proclamation of 1870. This Proclamation
was an impassioned call to unite women and mothers to work together to
prevent war. The “Return to the Spirit of Mother’s Day” event featuring
music, art, poetry and inspired speakers will take place May 14 at 2:00 at
Arlington West Memorial, next to Stearns Wharf. (Music program begins at
1:00 pm.
Featured musicians include: Antara and Delilah, Kate Wallace, Kate Bennett,
Rich Reeves, Kenny Edwards, Patti Teel, Peter Claydon, Vince
Chafin-Flutist.)

The event will feature noted speaker and writer Jean Shinoda Bolen, as well
as Santa Barbara Poet Laureate Barry Spacks, and representatives of many
local
and national organizations. “Return to the Spirit of Mother’s Day” has
three
objectives: to draw attention to the high costs of war, honor the original
intent
of Mother’s Day, and to provide the community with hope and direction to
take
positive action to prevent war. MotherHearts invites the Santa Barbara
community
to gather in recognition that what we hold in common is much stronger than
what divides us; that we can and must work to find peaceful solutions to
conflict
in our communities, nation, and world.

In 1870 Julia Ward Howe, author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic,
wrote what is now called the “Mother’s Day Proclamation”. On the heels of the Civil
War, this proclamation was radical for its time in its call to urge women to
“leave all that may be left of home” and gather together. It was time,
Julia Ward Howe said, for women to unite to bring an end to war. “Our sons
shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach
them of charity, mercy, and patience. We the women of one country will be
too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to
injure theirs.”

Jean Shinoda Bolen, author of Urgent Message from Mother; Gather the Women,
Save the World calls for women of the world to heed the original message of
Mother’s Day. She asks women to join together, to meet, to share wisdom,
and
to commit to working together to promote a more peaceful world.

MotherHearts and Veterans for Peace have chosen a meaningful and relevant
time and place for “Return to Spirit of Mother’s Day” on Sunday May 14, at
2:00 pm at West Beach next to Stearns Wharf (Arlington West). Music program
will begin at 1:00 pm.

For more information contact:
Lisa Wysel
(805) 565-1488
Mothers Hearts