Catching up with Women in Black
Scott Loughrey


(This interview is edited by Scott Loughrey from email and phone conversations with Sally Robinson of Women in Black)


So, what is Women in Black (WIB)?

Sally Robinson: Women in Black is an international women's peace network. They wear black for mourning and they stand in silent vigils because words cannot express the tragedy of war and violence.

When did it start?

Sally Robinson: The movement started in Israel in 1988 by Israeli women who were protesting the occupation of Palestine. They stood with Muslim and Christian Palestinian women. Since then it has spread worldwide.

The Baltimore group started after September 11, 2001 when a group of women got together to discuss how best to respond to that terrorism. We did not believe that revenge and retribution were an appropriate way to honor the victims of that tragedy nor was that a good way to prevent future acts of terrorism on our soil.

Talk about your first action.

Our first stand was in the Inner Harbor in December of that year [2001] following an email request by the Israeli group for other groups worldwide to stand in solidarity with them on that date.

Is it just women who participate?

Sally Robinson: While most of the participants are women, we frequently have men join us in our weekly stands. There are a handful of men who actually will admit to being part of Women in Black.

What is the message?

Sally Robinson: Women in Black's message is that war and violence only beget more of the same and that in today's conflicts many of those who suffer are innocent civilians including many women and children.

Instead of using violence, WIB advocates using non-violent means such as negotiation and constructive dialogue to end disputes.

Women in Black's silent vigils highlight our despair at what is currently happening throughout the world (not just in Iraq).

What is the Peace Path?

Sally Robinson: Peace Path is a 12 mile peace stand along Charles St. from the Inner Harbor to the Beltway. Participants stand along the sidewalk from 4-6pm holding peace signs in many different languages.

Women in Black coordinated last year's event and are doing it again this year. The participants, however, include people from local religious faiths, schools, other peace and social justice organizations, concerned individuals, etc.

What its purpose?

Sally Robinson: It was envisioned as a way positive to honor the victims of September 11.

What kinds of difficulties are there in putting it on?

Sally Robinson: Organizing Peace Path is overwhelming. Last year we made a list of all the churches, synagogues, schools, and other organizations that were on or near Charles St. and tried to contact them all. Other established peace groups also helped mobilize groups they knew would support us. We had a package of information about WIB and the Peace Path that we handed or mailed out to hundreds of organizations. In the last few days, a few of us ended up going door to door along the parts of downtown Charles St. that were primarily commercial to try to get them to put flyers in their windows and inform them of what would be happening.

What kind of work have you put into it this year?

Sally Robinson: We [have] developed an email address list of those who sent questions into the peacepath911 mailbox and kept them informed of how things were developing. This year we have that list and are communicating with everyone on it.

This year we have printed up flyers and cards to post and hand out. People have been going to the local farmer's markets and other events where we feel we might have a sympathetic audience to hand them out. We have begun handing them out at our weekly vigil as well. The response has been quite positive, especially from people who participated last year.

Another effort this year is to enlist an interested teacher from Bryn Mawr and a student intern from Friends to coordinate participation from local schools. We had terrific participation by Friends, Bryn Mawr, Notre Dame Prep, and Towson High School. There were probably other schools too. I think with the help of that teacher and student, though, we will have more schools represented this year.

What's the reaction from motorists and passersby like?

Sally Robinson: Very positive. I heard of one or 2 incidents of people (men) giving participants the finger, and some commuters did ignore it. Most waved, honked, flashed the peace sign, and really seemed to enjoy it. In the Peace Path video, some of the participants tell of drivers stopping to thank them and say how overwhelmed they were.

Where can I find more information about it?

Sally Robinson: We do have a web site: www.peacepath911.com.
If people have questions the phone (410-467-9114) is monitored regularly. And of course, we have an email address: peacepath911-AT-aol.com.

Women in Black, Baltimore also has a separate email address: wibbaltimore-AT-hotmail.com.

There is also the Peace Path video produced by Eileen Gillan. Copies are sold pretty much at cost, and we're offering for free to anyone who would like to show it to their organization. People can request copies via the phone or either of the email addresses.

Any final thoughts?

Sally Robinson: Please join me and stand for peace (again this year) on the Peace Path along Charles St., September 11, from 4-6pm. Peace, Sally.

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