“RADIATE: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Building the future” WFWP USA 30th Anniversary Celebration
Written by: Mrs. Yumi A. Willet National GWPN Assistant
On October 22, 2022, Women’s Federation for World Peace USA celebrated a historical milestone. The 30th anniversary since its founding, its 25th anniversary as an NGO with General Consultative Status with the UN ECOSOC as well as the 10th anniversary of Global Women Peace Network (GWPN). The celebration was virtual with over 342 participants from the USA, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere. They all gathered to celebrate 30 years of WFWP’s radiance and to honor all the many volunteers, members, supporters, friends, and the meaningful projects done over the years to empower women and create a more peaceful world.
The first half of the celebration was emceed by Dr. Dottie Chicquelo, GWPN Coordinator. She opened the celebration warmly by welcoming everyone who was in attendance and introduced the ceremony through a video from WFWP International President Dr. Julia Hoon Sook Moon. Following this, Mrs. Angelika Selle, current President of WFWP USA, in her opening remarks conveyed greetings and love from WFWP's Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, to all for this auspicious occasion. Mrs. Selle also gave a special honor and mention to the early pioneers of WFWP International, 1,600 Japanese women who went to all corners of the world, overcoming unimaginable obstacles and challenges, and successfully laid the foundation for WFWP in 100-plus countries, as well as laying the foundation for WFWP to acquire its position as a NGO in General Consultative status with the UN. Their exceptional love, service, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Likewise, some extraordinary investments and sacrifices were made by the early pioneers here in the United States and the many volunteers over the last 30 years, who are being celebrated on this day, as they have exemplified what it means to live and lead by the logic of love as they worked toward building a more peaceful and loving world.
Following this, FFWPU North America Director, Dr. Chung Sik Yong, shared a special welcome greeting, highlighting the great support that Rev. Sun Myung Moon had for his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, as she spearheaded the WFWP for the empowerment of all women. He witnessed first-hand how Rev. Moon encouraged leaders from around the world to support Dr. Moon and women peace leaders. He fondly remembered how Rev. Moon at the GWPN launch in 2012 mentioned that WFWP will be a vital organization that will usher us all into a world of peace.
A special highlight of the event was an address from Dr. Sun Jin Moon, WFWP International Senior Vice President and Director of Giving for Good International, who recollected the clarion calls from the founder, her mother, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who pioneered this global peace movement with fearless and tireless resolve, for women to become the “first responders for peace.” Mother Moon’s passion for peace has radiated throughout WFWP’s work for 30 years.
After all the welcome videos and messages, Dr. Dottie then introduced the first part of the ceremony which was Honoring the Past.
She called upon Mrs. Nora Spurgin, the first president of WFWP USA (1992-1999). Mrs. Spurgin shared a compelling testimony of touring the USA with Mother Moon to launch WFWP, the beginning of the Bridges of Peace, sitting through interviews at the UN to answer questions before being granted Consultative Status, working with prominent leaders such as George H.W Bush, Barbara Bush and Maureen Reagan. She concluded her sharing by expressing well wishes to the current president and to the entire WFWP USA team.
The next speaker was Mrs. Alexa Ward, the second president of WFWP USA (1999-2010). Mrs. Ward shared her highlights from her tenure in the USA and internationally. Particularly reflecting on the visit to North Korea, the Women of Faith program that was founded to foster deeper understanding among women of all different faiths, and the partnership with Japan to support the Schools of Africa project. She shared that through that project, she learned how to love and care for the children of others and embrace everyone with a motherly heart of love.
Following the personal testimonies of the two former presidents, a video to honor and thank Outstanding Volunteers from each region in the USA was shown. This video highlighted the founding members of WFWP USA, donors as well as current leaders in WFWP USA.
After honoring the past, we moved on to Celebrating the Present by honoring Mrs. Aimmee Kodachian. CEO and Founder of Empowering Humanity TV, and the Global Women Peace Ambassador Award recipient. Mrs. Kodachian has been a long-time supporter of WFWP and Mother Moon. She talked about her love and respect for all the work that WFWP and Mother Moon have been doing to empower women and allow us to make our voices for peace roar louder than any bombs of war. She said when women come together for a common cause, we are louder than any bomb and we can make a difference in the world. She closed her saying she will continue to work to empower humanity through love, hope, and peace. As providence would have it, the congratulatory song was “Roar’’ by Katy Perry and Goldyn Avenue sang it.
At this point, Hanabeta Deshotel, WFWP Membership Coordinator, took over as emcee and welcomed the WFWP Vice president Katarina Connery to share major highlights of WFWP USA and developments of WFWP over the last decade till the present in the areas of Leadership of the Heart, Marriage & Family and Peacebuilding.
Moving on to Building the Future, a panel of young women leaders hosted by Mrs. Natascha Phillips, WFWP USA GWPN Southeast Coordinator, shared their vision for the future. Ms. Priscilla Garces, a Climate Reality Leader, mentor, and disability advocate started the conversation by discussing her life with a visual impairment and the purpose of her work as a disability advocate. Her vision is that everyone can have inclusive access to the resources such as education and medical care as well as feel included and be accepted. She said we all need to be bold for change and be engaged with the community.
Ms. Sara Mwamlima, Development Manager for the nonpartisan nonprofit She Should Run, spoke about how she faced and overcame imposter syndrome. From this experience, she determined to reach the humanity in each person. As an advocate for women’s empowerment, she encourages women to take an interest and get involved in local politics. She told everyone watching that if we care, then we qualify.
The raffle, which came next, included cash prizes, a WFWP 30th Commemorative book, T-shirts, a duffle bag, and a spa set, followed by the drumming of Mr. Gregory Woods, African-Native American Keeper of Stories. The program concluded with a call to action making the following suggestions: attend their local 30th Anniversary celebrations, sign-up to be members of WFWP USA, subscribe to the WFWP newsletter Logic of Love, donate to the causes such as the Schools of Africa, reach out to the local chapters in their regions and keep an eye out for the Young Women Leader’s panel scheduled for January 2023 as well as the quarterly HerStory Award ceremonies.
President Angelika Selle gave the final congratulatory remarks, thanking everyone present who availed themselves to share in the joy of the day.
WFWP USA celebrated a historical milestone and is enthusiastically bracing itself for the next 50 years. We hope to inspire, collaborate, and uplift more women leaders and supporting partners in working with us to realize a more peaceful and loving world. Happy 30th Anniversary!
Some reflections from the participants:
We were captivated by the testimonies of those early in leadership who pioneered an unknown territory of giving and serving on a global level. Even the United Nations had to stand up and take notice of the humanitarian work that WFWP has done to give support to women
—WFWP Hawaii Watch Party Participant
I loved Dr. Sun Jin Moon’s remarks sharing her thoughts & experiences of her precious mother, the founder of WFWP. Lastly, the videography of the event was spectacular. Deep appreciation and acknowledgment to all who invested their time and efforts in the success of the event
—Mrs. Donna Shaver.
Through the speeches of the Young Women leaders, I discovered the bright future for future generations, in particular, Ms. Priscilla Garces’ story inspired me as she shared about becoming a mentor for people with disabilities. She inspired me to look back at my life as a young woman of the same age. Congratulations WFWP USA on your 30th Anniversary and I will gladly continue to join in steps towards the development of world peace with you.
—Ashley Kim
Congratulations to all radiant light waves of love, wonderful women of peace, WFWP radiating with True Motherly love, 30 years and counting. Happy Anniversary Distinguished Ladies! You stand on a beautiful historical leadership foundation. inspiring all members of the human family. Keep On Radiating! Keep the Shine on, brightening the path of the logic of love making the world better and more beautiful. Thank you. Namaste love always
—Father Bayo
Happy 30th WFWP Anniversary, internationally! Thank you to all our Grandmothers, Mothers, Daughters, Granddaughters, and especially the founders, our beloved Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon! Congratulations to all the distinguished leaders now and throughout its distinguished history!
—Bishop Waqas, Pakistan
