By Nicole Hsiang
Yesterday morning, Agape Foundation Board of Trustee Members Winnie Chu and Gwyn Kirk hosted a houseparty fundraiser to benefit our work that supports grassroots social change. On this lovely morning, we enjoyed a delicious brunch, made new connections, and learned about what can be accomplished by small groups of people who are committed to seeking justice. (more…)
Agape Foundation Executive Director Karen Topakian with Enduring Visionary Prize Winner Madeline Duckles and Rising Peacemaker Prize Winner Elizabeth Sy at the 4th Annual Peace Prize Awards Ceremony. Photo by Bob Hsiang
To view a photo album of pictures from the event, click here
By Karen Topakian
Amidst a crowd of 150+ people Madeline Duckles took the podium by storm last night to accept the Agape Foundation’s 2008 Enduring Visionary Prize at its 4th Annual Peace Prize. Without referring to any written notes, the 92-year old winner inspired and captivated the audience with her views on war and her experiences with peacemaking. She even dispensed two pieces of practical information:
If you are ever sprayed with tear gas, have someone repeatedly pour cold water in your eyes. It will help the blindness but not the pain. Apparently she knows from what she speaks. (more…)
Community organizers have done a lot for our country
By Karen Topakian
Two nights ago, on the stage of the Republican National Convention former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani seethed when he said the words community organizer. As he described the two presidential candidates resumes, he laughed when he listed this as Senator Barack Obama’s job experience. (more…)
Peacemakers deliver hope. With their actions. With their vision. With their leadership. They light the path to equality and justice. For us to follow. (more…)
by Karen Topakian
That’s what I saw when I exited the bus at 7th and Market the other day. Small gnawed bones. Picked clean of meat. Not yet brittle. Looking very new. The memory of those bird remnants haunted me for days until today, when they made complete sense.
Why today?
Because today is August 6th. And 63 years ago today, in 1945, Hiroshima was transformed into a landscape of charred bodies, human shadows burned into the sidewalk and bones. 140,000 died that day and afterwards. (more…)
by Karen Topakian
With their actions. With their vision. With their leadership. They light the path to equality and justice. For us to follow.
They inspire our courage and ignite our passion for peace.
Since our elected leaders rarely exhibit these traits, we must look to ourselves and others to lead the way.
Starting in 2005, the Agape Foundation has awarded two prizes each year to individuals or organizations that put peace at the forefront of the movement for social change and equality. The Awards Committee just announced this year’s winner of the Enduring Visionary Prize and the finalists for the Rising Peacemaker Prize. (more…)