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Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words

Page Two -Introduction, continued

After walking 25,000 miles, which took until 1964, she stopped counting miles and speaking became her first priority, although she continued to walk daily. Her increasing speaking schedule made it necessary for her to begin to accept rides often.

Peace Pilgrim talked with thousands of people throughout the McCarthy era, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and since. She met with people on city streets and dusty roads, in ghettos, suburbs, deserts and truckstops. She was interviewed by all national radio and TV networks, as well as on hundreds of local stations across the country. Newspaper reporters in countless towns and cities large and small wrote about her. She would seek them out, if they didn't find her first, to let people hear about her message. She talked to university classes in psychology, political science, philosophy and sociology, to high school assemblies, civic clubs, and spoke from the pulpits of a variety of churches.

As the years went by, her contagious zest, ready wit and simple wisdom widened her appeal, and audiences responded more and more frequently with warm and spontaneous laughter and thoughtful questions.

And all of these years when many of us were increasingly afraid to go out on our streets, she walked through `dangerous' parts of cities and slept beside the road, on beaches and in bus stations, when no bed was offered. Through the years strangers became friends, inviting her into their homes and arranging speaking engagements, often a year or more in advance.

Peace Pilgrim believed we had entered a crisis period in human history, "walking the brink between a nuclear war of annihilation and a golden age of peace." She felt it was her calling to arouse people from apathy and get them thinking and actively working for peace. And always she encouraged people to seek the real sources of peace within, and to use the ways of peace in their relations with others.

At the time of her death Peace Pilgrim was crossing the country for the seventh time. She had walked through all fifty states, and had also visited the ten provinces in Canada and parts of Mexico. In 1976 a man flew her to Alaska and Hawaii to meet his children, walk, speak in churches, and talk with the media. In 1979 and 1980 she returned to those states, taking with her small groups of people who wished to learn more about her lifestyle. She had plans for return trips to Alaska and Hawaii in 1984 and was giving thought to inviting others to join her on `inspirational tours' through several states in the years that were to come.

She made what she liked to call "the glorious transition to a freer life" on July 7, 1981 near Knox, Indiana. She died instantly in a head-on collision as she was being driven to a speaking engagement. Her many friends throughout the country were stunned. Somehow, we never imagined Peace would be called to leave this earth so soon. Yet, one friend wrote, "I feel sure the immediacy of the transition, with no cessation of her activity until it occurred, was as she would have wished it."

In her last newspaper interview she spoke of being in radiant health. She was planning her itinerary beyond the current pilgrimage route and had speaking engagements through 1984. Ted Hayes of WKVI radio in Knox in an interview with her taped on July 6 remarked, "You seem to be a most happy woman." She replied, "I certainly am a happy person. How could one know God and not be joyous?"

Messages from friends who hear of her passing continue to be received at the little Cologne, New Jersey post office from which her mail was always forwarded. The letters are touching: "My Dear Peace, I have just now heard of your death from this earthly body... If this is not so, please write back." Another wrote, "I know you are with God...I see you in the Universe..."

An editor who had interviewed her in the 1960's and became a good friend wrote, "...cycles of prayer go on in my heart, telling her of my appreciation for her teaching and impact and influence on my life, wishing her well on her journey..."

A friend in Massachusetts wrote, "It was a great shock, to say the least, as well as a great loss for our little planet! My heart is full at this time for I, like thousands of other people, loved Peace so much! But at the same time I feel her presence will always be among us through her beautiful teachings and the life she exemplified..."

Many have written hoping that a book would be put together to help spread her special message of peace and love. A few others have said that they are thinking of writing articles or longer works about her. We hope this book will be a valuable resource for these and future writers, as well as an inspiration and encouragement to those who never had the good fortune to meet her.

One who captured her spirit wrote, "The seeds of peace have been scattered well. It is the duty of all who were touched by her to begin the harvest."

It is our hope that her words and spirit will continue to inspire. And we join with you in a circle of love, with all others who knew her and were touched by her...

Free of earth, as free as air,

Now you travel everywhere.

Five of Peace's many friends,

Santa Fe, New Mexico

March 31, 1982

Page One of the Introduction - Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Works in Her Own Words

Chapter One Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Works In Her Own Words