In 1917, the Selective Service Act created a system that authorized a draft. It required all men of a certain age to register through the Selective Service System as WWI raged. Quakers formed AFSC that same year to give conscientious objectors an alternative to the military. And over the years many of you got connected to AFSC through draft resistance.
Unfortunately, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to expand the registration requirement—and associated penalties—to women. Tell Congress to end the selective service requirement for everyone!
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of AFSC and your dedication to creating a just and peaceful world.
With deep appreciation,
Tonya Histand
Director of Public Engagement
Alumni news & notes
Former AFSC General Secretary Mary Ellen McNish recently accepted the Dr. George Thompson Jr. award for exceptional accomplishment or lifetime achievement in human services from her alma mater, East Stroudsburg University.
Robert "Bobby" Fuller, who worked as the director of AFSC’s Human Resources Department, passed away in September in Washington, D.C.
In this interview with the New York Times, Tarana Burke, AFSC alum and founder of the Me Too movement, discusses her new memoir Unbound. The book chronicles Tarana's journey from childhood trauma to the role of empathetic, empowered advocate for worldwide social change.
David Hartsough, who worked for AFSC for 18 years, was honored with the Clarence B. Jones Award for Kingian Nonviolence. The award honors the life's work and social impact of a major activist.
Gene Fracek served for many years on the Central Regional Executive Committee and is an enrolled member of the Dakota Tribe. He wrote this op-ed on why mascots tied to tribes should be retired.
AFSC alum Don Bustos is a recipient of the 11th Annual Organic Pioneer Awards, which recognizes leaders changing the landscape of regenerative organic agriculture for the better. Don was one of the first farmers in New Mexico to receive organic certification and has been certified for over 20 years.
Do you have news to share? Email us today!
Archive dive: Countering U.S. militarism after 9/11
In this new video, we mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Archivist Don Davis uses the trove of resources in the AFSC archives to show AFSC's response to the costs of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Join him in a look back at our work for peace, including the "Eyes Wide Open" traveling exhibition.
AFSC today: What do people really think about U.S. relations with North Korea and China?
According to a new poll commissioned by AFSC, many people believe the U.S. should work with North Korea and China on several issues where AFSC has long been leading the way. Here are four key takeaways from our new public opinion poll.
Holding corporations accountable for human rights violations
AFSC has a long history with divestment campaigns and in responsible investment actions for peace and civil rights issues worldwide. After our Investigate website exposed Microsoft’s surveillance tech contracts with law enforcement, ICE, and prisons, we joined with other concerned investors and got the company to agree to a third-party assessment of these contracts. We hope it leads Microsoft to "withdraw from all such harmful business relationships," says AFSC's Dov Baum.
More ways to take action and connect with AFSC
- Stop funding cruelty against immigrants!
- Check out our new events page to find a full listing of events.
- Visit our Get Involved page for action alerts, upcoming events, and more.
Are you interested in receiving life income while supporting AFSC? A gift annuity is easy to arrange. Reach out to GiftPlanning@afsc.org 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.