Patch and writing by Joyce Lydiard, supervisor of an internship I did with the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in Vancouver in 2000.  Joyce passed away on May 22, 2002 at the age of 74.  I present her patch in loving memory…

Dear Hannah,

One of the most transforming experiences in my life happened while I was on the Peace Train from Helsinki, Finland to the 4^th World Women’s Conference in Beijing, 1995.  The Peace Train sponsors, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), arranged stop-overs for us to visit with women’s groups along the way.  I was devastated by the stories recounted by the women of the Ukraine and Khazakstan.  They lived in an area that suffered fall-out from nuclear testing done by both Russia and China.  They told us of resulting birth defects and ‘jelly babies’, of how their food sources, even mother’s milk, were contaminated.  Now, just hearing the words ‘nuclear’, ‘radioactive’, or ‘depleted uranium’, bring to my mind their faces and those of their severely deformed children.  These beautiful, strong women asked us to make a commitment to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons.  How best could I fulfil this commitment?  At the international and national levels I work through WILPF programs, but I wanted to be more effective within local communities.

The Raging Grannies, yes, these older women who dress as the Granny stereotype in shawls and flowered hats, sing politicized words to old familiar tunes, were the way for me to vent my rage and raise awareness of the life destroying effects of nuclear pollution.  Wherever the Grannies go they get attention, and people listen to their message as it is delivered with humour and satire in their songs.  It’s empowering to be a ‘Granny’, to be retired and free to be courageous, even outrageous when necessary, to creatively help effect change – change that not only includes the elimination of nuclear weapons and nuclear power, but change toward a nonviolent, peaceful world.

Hannah, on a personal level, I want to thank you for initiating this quilt project.  There are many women’s stories that need to be told and this is such a creative, beautiful way of doing just that!  Also, I want to say it’s you, young social activists, who give me hope for our future.

Peace, hope and love,

   Joyce

Some Personal Background

I was born Joyce Kathleen Lee on 20 January 1928 and raised as a child of the depression in southern Manitoba, Canada.  My father, a United Church minister, received little or no salary other than the food donated by the congregation.  Our clothes came by train in box cars from Ontario.  There was no money for routine medical or dental care.  Married women were not allowed to work outside the home so my mother, who was a qualified teacher, volunteered her services through church and community activities.  Together my parents, Rev Fred and Ida Lee, worked for social justice.  It was at an early age, from them, that I learned its importance.

My parents valued education and were adamant that despite lack of money their four children would have post secondary education.  Through scholarships, working for room and board, plus summer jobs, I put myself through the University of Manitoba.  I am deeply grateful to my parents for helping me develop a value system in which idealism is combined with critical and creative thinking gained through education.

With this background and herstory it seems natural for me to see and feel the need for social justice and to work locally and globally with my sisters and brothers.  I believe together we can make a difference – a world with bread and roses.