Maud Easter attended her first peace demonstration when she was a college freshman to protest against nuclear testing.
“There was this department store in Philadelphia nearby that said you would be safe if you bought a fallout shelter,” said Easter.
This was in 1961, and those at the demonstration felt the public was being lied to. At a young age, Easter read a lot about the dangers of nuclear weapons. She quickly realized she didn’t want the United States using them or testing them for warfare.
“I was trying to educate people and be a public voice that shelters weren’t going to be able to protect us,” Easter said. “We needed to find a more peaceful way to work with other countries.”
The issue still resonates with her today because the country still has a nuclear arsenal, which President Barack Obama at one time vowed to dismantle.
Easter said there is now movement to upgrade the arsenal again; something she feels is “folly.”
As time went on, Easter turned to other social justice issues. She moved to the Capital District in 1981, where she became involved in local peace movements. In 2002, she became one of the founding members of the region’s Women Against War group, before moving to Bethlehem in 2004.
“People all over the world were pleading with the U.S. not to go to war with Iraq and we (Women Against War) wanted to be a part of that movement,” said Easter. “I wanted to be a part of a group that put together my concerns of women’s voices being heard and the prevention of this war from happening.”
The group is still going strong 12 years later, although recent efforts have been to speak out in favor of benefits and health care for veterans, and demonstrating against the use of drone warfare.
Easter said the work has greatly enriched her life, and last month, she was awarded with the Winter Soldier Award from the local chapter of Veterans for Peace.
Dan Wilcox, vice president and treasurer of the local Tom Paine Chapter, said the award has been given out the past six years to honor someone in the community who has been outspoken and active in peace and social justice movements.
Wilcox said the name of the award was inspired by a quote from Tom Paine, who spoke of soldiers during the American Revolution who would only fight in good weather and leave when the seasons turned cold. The saying popped-up again during Vietnam, where Vietnam Veterans Against War sponsored a media event to shed light on war crimes.
The chapter felt the name fit perfectly for their award. Their problem in recent years has been deciding who to present the award to since there are so many people in the area who fit the criteria.
“We chose to honor (Maud) essentially for her lifelong work for peace, women’s issues and social justice,” said Wilcox. “We are not saying she is better or does more than anyone else, but that she is a model, mentor and elder we should look to, to learn how to do the right thing. She is just one of those people.”
Easter said she was thrilled to receive the award.
“I don’t feel this award is for just me, but for all the women in the group who have worked for more than a decade now for the U.S. to settle disputes peacefully and use diplomacy to address problems,” said Easter.
Women Against War is sponsoring The Drone Quilt Exhibit locally at the Hubbard Interfaith Sanctuary at the College of St. Rose through Friday, Nov. 14.
The group is also sponsoring performances of the play “Grounded” by George Brant. The play tells the story of a female fighter pilot and her struggles with operating a military drone overseas from the comfort of Las Vegas. Performances are scheduled for The Campus Theater at The College of St. Rose on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., Old Chatham Quaker Meetinghouse in Old Chatam at 7. p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, and Academy of the Holy Names Upper School in Albany on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.
