Extra

The first annual Peace Heroine Awards for women peace and social activists over age 70 will be awarded at noon on Mar. 9 at the Marine Recruiting Station, Shattuck Sq. Berkeley. As Pamela Sihvola said when nominating Gene Bernardi, these women “personify peace and social justice.” The 41 award winners include veteran members of EBCOSSI (East Bay Coalition to Support Self-Rule for Iraqis), Grandmothers Against the War, Women for Peace, Veterans for Peace, the Committee to Minimize Toxic Waste, Gray Panthers, Old Lesbians Organizing for Change, California Alliance for Retired Americans, CODEPINK, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Women in Black, Cop Watch, US Labor Against the War, the women's movement, the single payer health care movement, and many more. 

On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, this is a fitting tribute to local women who deserve recognition," said Cynthia Papermaster of CODEPINK. 

Peace Heroine Sheila Goldmacher said, “I have been a political activist all my life starting at 18 when I worked in Adlai Stevenson's campaign for the presidency. My last demo was at the B of A this past week on Telegraph and Durant...Very satisfying.” 

2011 Peace Heroines include Gene Bernardi, whose victories include ending above-ground nuclear testing and winning a class action lawsuit against the Forest Service for sex discrimination, Rita Moran, Berkeley Peace and Social Justice Commissioner, Ann Fagan Ginger, executive director emeritus of the Meiklejohn Civil Liberties Institute, nonagenarians Doris Lester, Madeline Duckles and Eva Bustein, videographers Margot Smith and Francesca Roveda, Leeza Vinogradov, co-coordinator of CODEPINK's East Bay Chapter, and Mary Prophet, co chair of the CA Teacher's Assoc. Peace and Justice Caucus. 

2011 Peace Heroines: Rita Moran, Dolores Helman, Doris Lester, Sheila Goldmacher, Jaye Scott, Jane Miller, Jeanne Dritz, Jane Welford, Leeza Vinogradov, Ann Fagan Ginger, June Brumer, Madeline Duckles, Jean Lieber, Martha Lehrman, Coreen Thornton, Lenore Velfort, Juliette Bidou, Avis Worthington, Eva Blustein, Ruthie McQuire, Gene Bernardi, Frances Rachel, Margot Smith, Christa Von Blackensee, Helen Isaacson, Miriam Blumberg, June Spiro, Myrna Schnur, Norma Harrison, Ying Lee, Grace Severtson , Francesca Roveda, Nancy Hanawi, Lorene Lamb, Judy Nakadegawa, Soula Culver, Laura Santina, Mary Prophet, Tobey Wiebe, Evelyn Belson, Juanita Neilands, Addie Bianchi, Florence Hicks. 

CODEPINK Women for Peace is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end U.S. funded wars and occupations, to challenge militarism globally, and to redirect our resources into health care, education, green jobs and other life-affirming activities. The Golden Gate Chapter serves the SF Bay Area.