Women Against War Afghan Project – Past Activities

  • December 10, 2012: Organized International Human Rights Day Fast and Vigil for an Afghan Ceasefire in support of fasters in Afghanistan and at the UN 
  • October 3, 2012: Participated in 11th Anniversary of Afghan War Vigil and Speak-out
  • August 16, 2012:  Organized The Afghan Peace Volunteers’ 2 Million Friends Campaign: an Evening with Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence.
  • Summer 2012: Leafleted and petitioned at festivals and farmers markets on role of military contractors in promoting continued Afghan war.
  • February 22 and March 27, 2012: Lobbied Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for a US unilateral ceasefire in Afghanistan.
  • October 12 – November 11, 2011: Scheduled Windows and Mirrors: Reflections on the War in Afghanistan, an American Friends Service Committee exhibit of 25 large murals. Schedule included displays at the NYS Legislative Office Building, Skidmore College with speaker Ed Kinane, Sage College with speaker Helen Benedict, College of St Rose with panel of faculty speakers, Union College and Proctors International Gallery. Extensive media coverage.
  • September 28, 2011: Organized Report Back from Afghanistan: Rachel Lipsey, foreign policy staff of our Congressman Tonko, and Matt Southworth of Friends Committee on National Legislation, report on their trip to Afghanistan.
  • April 18, 2011: Lobbied Congressman Gibson to cut Afghan war funding and support negotiations.
  • July 23-25, 2010: Provided speakers for 3 workshops at National Conference to Bring the Troops Home Now (held in Albany) and hosted community event with Medea Benjamin of Code Pink.
  • December 2009 – October 2010: Raised over $12,000 for the Well Project, an Afghan-led initiative to provide clean water for drinking and irrigation, women’s literacy classes and a school for girls for the village of Mir Taqi Shah – a model for replacing military occupation with development and diplomacy. Fundraisers included a student Bring the Change drive at St. Rose College, a special production of Our Town and a David Rovics concert.
  • March 5-10, 2010: Scheduled Speaking Tour by Fahima Vorgetts from Women for Afghan Women, with presentations at The Islamic Center of the Capital District, Union College, RPI, the University at Albany, the Mercy Center, the Parker School, and Mohanosan High School on the need for diplomacy and development to replace military occupation. Media interviews.
  • April 2010: Large banner, Afghan War – End Now! created by Connie LaPorta for our demonstrations and events, of fabric incorporating photos of Afghans.
  • December 7-9,  2009:  Organized Speaking Tour by Fahima Vorgetts from Women for Afghan Women with presentations at the College of St. Rose, Siena College, Russell Sage College, the Parker School, the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany and the Powell House Quaker Conference Center.
  • October 17, 2009: Organized a Women Against War Feeder March for community demonstration against the Afghan war on its 7th anniversary.
  • September 2, 2009: Sponsored Kristele Younes from Refugees International speaking on Wars’ Refugees – The Human Impact of US Policy on the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan: A Firsthand Report.
  • June 13, 2009: Sponsored Afghanistan: Understanding the Issues and What We Can Do, a community presentation by speakers Madelyn Hoffman of New Jersey Peace Action & Connie Frisbee Houde of WAW’s Afghan War Project. 
  • November 13-21, 2008: First visit of Fahima Vorgetts of Women for Afghan Women, with presentations at the University at Albany and Siena College and media interviews with Metroland, the Times Union, The Saratogian, WRPI, WAMC and the Spotlight. Women Against War’s Afghan Project was launched by Fahima’s compelling presentation to a special WAW Membership Meeting.
  • Ongoing activities, from 2008 to the present:
    • Photojournalist and WAW Afghan Project member Connie Frisbee Houde speaking about Afghanistan, and especially about Afghan women, at displays of her photos and to innumerable community groups, classes & faith groups.
    • Lobbying our Congressmen, Senators, and their staff about the need for a speedy end to the Afghan war.
    • Providing tables of literature, petitions, bumper stickers and buttons at events.