Tijuana vigil and action for migrants. AFSC / Pedro Rios
Dear Friend,
Happy new year and welcome to the winter issue of AFSC’s alumni newsletter.
This month we begin a monthly webinars series to learn about the U.S. migration system – and how we can protect migrant rights in an election year. We will share AFSC's perspective on migration issues, developed from longstanding partnerships with immigrant communities. We'll also provide you with tools to talk about these issues with others—and offer opportunities for you to take action.
Do you know someone who is an AFSC alum and is not a part of our network? Tell them to visit our webpage and Facebook group to sign up and connect with former colleagues.
With deep appreciation,
Tonya Histand
Director of Public Engagement
Alumni news & notes
Asia Bennett spent over two decades working for AFSC, and in 1980, became the first woman to serve as general secretary. Asia passed away on Dec. 11 in Seattle.
While in high school, Joan Baez attended an AFSC conference where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke, galvanizing her pacifism last year. She released a new documentary about her life called “Joan Baez I Am a Noise” and invited one winner to an exclusive screening of the film in New York City. All proceeds from the contest benefitted AFSC.
Former AFSC staff member Jehad Abusalim wrote this touching tribute to his friend and teacher Refaat Alareer, who was killed when Israeli forces bombed his sister’s home in Gaza where he was staying. Refaat contributed the first chapter to AFSC's “Light in Gaza” anthology.
A new biopic, “Rustin”, chronicles the work of civil rights leader and Quaker Bayard Rustin as he planned the 1963 March on Washington. Bayard also had a long history with AFSC, which began when he took part in an AFSC-sponsored training in 1937.
Jerry Elmer, who worked as a field secretary at the AFSC program in Rhode Island, has written a book on the history of conscription, conscientious objection, and draft resistance. Learn more in this review written by Arnie Alpert, who served as AFSC New Hampshire co-director.
From 1961-1964, David Roger Giltrow served in Tanzania as an AFSC Voluntary International Service Assignments (VISA) volunteer, working with the Tanzanian Film Unit. David passed away on Aug. 29.
Sara Zia Ebrahimi Hughes, who worked for AFSC in Philadelphia, recently opened a new speculative fiction bookstore with her partner. The store, Multiverse, is intended to be a welcoming space that celebrates all fans of comics, science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Do you have news to share? Email us today!
Updates from AFSC
Protecting the rights of women in prison
After abuses at New Jersey women’s prison were brought to light in 2021, AFSC continues to support incarcerated women in speaking out for their rights and dignity.
Do you know an emerging leader?
Emerging Leaders for Liberation (ELL) is a program for young adults looking to deepen their social justice and leadership skills. Applications are now being accepted through March 1 for our third annual ELL cohort.
Crisis in Gaza
Mounting violence in Gaza and Israel has created a humanitarian crisis. Learn more about AFSC’s efforts to provide relief to people in Gaza and advocate for peace.
Archives
Check out this new video where AFSC’s Archivist Don Davis takes us into the archives to learn about AFSC’s work in the Quang Ngai Clinic in Vietnam.
Planned Giving
David and Miyoko Bassett, who met when they were both medical students in Boston, were dedicated to the work of AFSC. David first participated with AFSC during a Mexico summer work camp. He and Miyoko later spent two years in an AFSC project in India for David’s alternative service. Miyoko died in 2007 and when David passed away in 2021, they made a gift to AFSC through their will to continue their commitment to peace and justice. If AFSC has made a difference in your life, please consider a gift to AFSC in your estate plans.
More ways to take action and connect with AFSC:
- Tell corporations to stop funding Cop City and militarized policing!
- Call for a cease-fire and humanitarian access to Gaza!
- Expand the child tax credit
- Help your municipality become apartheid-free
Thank you for reading our AFSC Alumni Newsletter!