WILPF's International Congress, Santa Cruz Bolivia

Submitted by Sha'an Mouliert

Chair Building the Beloved Community Issue Committee

It has taken me this long to digest the events in Bolivia. The Congress was dynamic, intriguing, emotional, painful and quite the learning experience. I'll try my best to put it into context, mind you, I didn't receive the Congress' material until I returned home and this was my first International Congress. The effort and energy our Bolivian sisters put into the Congress was evident. It's amazing what a small group of women can accomplish.

Only six women, along with former (at the time, present) vice president Marta Benavides from El Salvador, organized the Congress. The food was excellent and abundant. Sunday evening we enjoyed a reception at a local plaza hosted by the wife of the Governor at the House of Culture to see the Exhibit of 1000 Peace Women (former International President and current International Representative Krishna Ahoojapatel was one of the women featured). Several performers entertained and we had the opportunity to visit a local market.

Monday morning I showed the video MAKING WHITENESS VISIBLE. Unfortunately, it conflicted with "official workshops and meetings", however, 12 people did view it including Regina Birchem (now, the former International President). The discussion afterwards was wonderful…many shared how they recognized themselves and truly learned something, i.e. institutionalized/systemic racism.

Several participants talked to me afterwards (including Regina) regarding the appropriateness of the video for WILPF. I was also able to show it again to two other people. Many people regretted they couldn't see it…we discussed option. There has been reports from others regarding some of the tension at the Congress. I would say the tension came about once racism was mentioned and brought into the light. Marta brought it up and gave illustrations…it was extremely painful for me, as her experience has been my experience, as well as, the experience of other women of color involved with WILPF.

Marta was asking us to look at our actions, were we in accordance with our constitution, were we accountable. I thought she was quite clear and on target. It was very disturbing witnessing the response of some women who say they are working for peace. Marta brought it up several times, and as far as I'm concerned, it was hardly addressed. Several participants including myself, met at lunch to discuss the matter…what could we do…there was a lot of pain, hurt and confusion.

We decided to come up with a statement and presented it to the Congress. I wish I had a copy but basically it stated what we had witnessed and experienced, acknowledged the tension and expressed our feelings. We were in agreement that we thought the women in WILPF were capable of addressing the issue of racism and we shouldn't sweep it under the table. Right before the elections, Marta withdrew her name (she was running for vice president) and resigned from WILPF. It stunned many people including the women from South America (many of them young women). As Marta stated, she is going to continue to do her work…she doesn't need WILPF. I think WILPF needs her.

I also see a LOT OF WORK for the BBC. One of my major regrets was I didn't have time to make and bring copies of our brochure along with some handouts. I mentioned the site SEVERAL times and will follow-up sending the site address to the US participants. I sat in at the Human Rights Committee and mentioned I was interested in being more involved in the International Racism Committee. Nothing more was said about it. Susi Snyder, Secretary General, reported the Committee on Racism was going to follow up on Durbin…I'll be contacting Julia Federico and Audley Green asked if I'd be interested in being the Conveyor of the committee…yes was my answer. Julia had asked if the BBC had a statement to present to the Congress. I propose the BBC look at what resolutions have been passed regarding racism both national and international, evaluate them and go from there. It doesn't make sense to me to come up with new resolutions if the past resolutions are just words and nothing came from it.

The highlight of the Congress for me was I had the opportunity to meet truly amazing, courageous, caring, compassionate, committed, competent, dedicated, incredible, nurturing, talented, wonderful, loving women. Many of them are young and working with grassroots organizations. It is an honored to be connected with them in the sisterhood of WILPF. We networked, cried, laughed, ate, drank, danced and developed relationships. It was encouraging sharing our experiences. Many of the young women were from South and Central America. My Spanish is just about nil, however, that didn't get in the way of forming heart felt connections.

I look forward to deepening the bonds that were formed. What attracted me to WILPF in the first place was the energy of the women. I wanted to be a part of that...it spoke to me..I felt I discovered my kin. The women I met at the Congress renewed my spirit. They supported me and my validated experiences. What a blessing. As an observer at the Congress, I had no expectations besides learning more about WILPF on an international level, meeting new people, catching up with others, informing and sharing the work of the BBC, and showing the video MAKING WHITENESS VISIBLE. My experiences at the Congress profoundly effected me...one could say transformed me. I am more committed than ever to racial justice and look forward to working with the BBC, members of WILPF and other organizations to create Beloved Communities. To conclude, I'm so glad I attended and am grateful for the scholarship. I'm energized. There's work for us to do right in our own organization…could we be the Beloved Community?