Third Annual Mother’s Day National Action Day
On Behalf of Mothers Everywhere

May 11th, 2007

Let [us] solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby
the great human family can live in peace ~ Julia Ward Howe*

Join us in our third annual Mother’s Day “Peace of the Pie” National Action Day! On May 11th (the Friday before Mother's Day), gather members of your community to take pies to your local Congressional offices, letting your members of Congress know that “Peace wants a Piece of the Pie,” (i.e., the federal budget). Last year several members of congress signed on to support the Department of Peace legislation after our Peace of Pie Action, so we know it can be a very effective action.

We know all too well the lack of attention and resources that serious peacebuilding efforts receive in our nation. It’s time for that to change. Your participation in this Mother's Day-inspired* campaign is a creative way for us to get out the word about the Department of Peace and to let Congress know that we want our government to make peacebuilding a national investment priority.

PARTICIPATE!

Sign up to organize or join activities in your area! Click here…

Participation in this Mother’s day-inspired campaign can consist of any one or all of the actions listed below. Please don’t let this list limit or intimidate you, it is your own individual/group’s availability and creativity that should guide your actions. Do as much or as little as you are willing and able to do -- it will all have an impact.  To find out who is organizing in your state, Click here…

Visit your Congressional Office

On May 11^th, take a pie to your local Congressional office with a downloaded national budget pie chart (coming soon) showing the tiny slice that represents the portion of the U.S. federal budget requested for the Department of Peace, and ask your member to support the legislation. Ideally you will set up an official meeting with the local office, however, a drop by visit will also have impact. Bring community members.  more...

Media

Getting media to cover your efforts is a powerful way to educate the public and demonstrate to your members of Congress that this legislation is important to your community. Enroll radio, television and newspapers to cover local teams delivering pies and the story behind your unique “Peace of the Pie” event – the supporters and volunteers in your state campaign, the local efforts to garner Congressional support, and the national campaign. Generate great publicity! more... 

Peace of the Pie Media Call on March 26th.  Learn more

House Party/Outreach Event

Sometime in the weeks before Mother’s day, host a Peace of the Pie house party or public outreach event to spread the word about why citizens all over this country are taking pies to their local members of Congress on behalf of the Department of Peace legislation. Educate them about the legislation and enroll them in joining you in your May 11^th Congressional visit. If you would like, this event can also be a fundraiser for The Peace Alliance and the local campaign. more....

Public Event/Rally

Before or after your Congressional office visit, hold a rally with local citizens at a park or on the steps of City Hall. Bring Department of Peace banners, signs, and materials. Bring your kids and have music. Make it a festive and fun event. Invite media to cover your activities. Help create visibility for the campaign and your efforts. more. . . 

Post Event Conference Call

After the event, many organizers gathered together for a Conference Call to share how things went in their districts.  You can listen here .

To see more photos and media generated from local “Peace of the Pie” events last year, click here… 

Be creative, have fun!

  2006 Peace of Pie Photos

Chelsea and Sue Skog at MN Peace of Pie Rally.

Group visiting Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's office in TX.

* Mother's Day was in part inspired by Julia Ward Howe, who nursed the wounded during the American Civil War, and also wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic. In 1870 she started a crusade to institute a Mother's Day as a Day for Peace. Click here to read her Mother's Day proclamation.