Dynamos: Peace Pilgrim

Episode Summary

The podcast episode focuses on the life of Peace Pilgrim, who spent 28 years walking across the United States preaching nonviolence. She was born Mildred Norman in 1908 in New Jersey. As a child, she enjoyed playing in the woods and swimming in a nearby creek. In high school, Mildred was an accomplished student, serving as captain of the debate team and graduating as valedictorian. As a young woman in the 1920s, Mildred embraced the flapper lifestyle and enjoyed buying the latest fashions. She eloped at age 25 with a man named Stanley Ryder, but they soon divorced over disagreements about her desire to work and her pacifist beliefs. After a difficult period in her life involving divorce, war, and her father's death, Mildred had an epiphany while walking in the woods one night. She realized she wanted to devote her life to a higher purpose beyond herself. She started volunteering for senior citizens and peace organizations, becoming a vegetarian, and simplifying her lifestyle. Her first major journey was a solo hike of the entire Appalachian Trail in 1952, becoming the first woman to accomplish this feat. On New Year's Day 1953, Mildred walked in the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, handing out peace petitions. This marked the beginning of her new identity as Peace Pilgrim and her mission to walk across the country spreading her message of peace. For 28 years until her death in 1981, Peace Pilgrim walked over 25,000 miles back and forth across America wearing her signature tunic and depending on the kindness of strangers. She spoke at churches and schools about her philosophy of inner peace, simplicity, and nonviolence. Though largely forgotten today, Peace Pilgrim stands out as a unique voice for peace during the anxious decades of the Cold War.

Episode Show Notes

Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981) spent 28 years walking from coast to coast preaching nonviolence.

Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_05: The storied legacy of Mercedes-Benz is rooted in empowered women who've gone on to show the world what they can accomplish. This July, Wamanica has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to feature women who've charted their own paths and achieved greatness. Join us on this journey as we celebrate women who were driven to pursue their passions, even if it meant changing course along the way. This month on Wamanica, we're talking about dynamos. Hello! From Wonder Media Network, I'm Jenny Kaplan, and this is Wamanica. This month, we're highlighting women who've led dynamic lives. Lives that have shifted, evolved, and bloomed, often later in life. Today, we're talking about a woman who spent 28 years walking from coast to coast preaching nonviolence. Please welcome Peace Pilgrim. Before there was Peace Pilgrim, there was Mildred Norman. Mildred was born in 1908 on the outskirts of Egg Harbor, New Jersey. She grew up on a poultry farm, and as a kid, she liked to play in the woods and swim in the creek surrounding her home. In high school, she was captain of the debate team and graduated valedictorian. Mildred's sister Helene said that young Mildred was a flapper. She was always buying the latest, trendiest clothes. When Mildred was 25, she eloped with a man named Stanley Ryder. The couple fought. He wanted Mildred to be a housewife. She did not. As World War II approached, he wanted to enlist in the army. She was a pacifist. They soon divorced. Facing divorce, the onset of war, and the death of her father, Mildred was discontent. She took a walk through the woods one night and stopped in her tracks at the sight of a beautiful, moonlit clearing. Reflecting back on this pivotal moment, Mildred recalled, That night I experienced the complete willingness, without any reservations whatsoever, to give my life to something beyond myself. Surging for what that purpose would be, Mildred worked with senior citizens and volunteered with peace organizations. She became a vegetarian and gave up caffeine and white sugar. In 1952, Mildred became the first woman to ever walk the length of the Appalachian Trail. The more than 2,000-mile-long journey was just a small taste of what she would soon accomplish. On New Year's Day of 1953, the Korean War was still underway, and the threat of a nuclear attack loomed over the United States. Mildred was 45. That morning, she walked in the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California, handing out peace petitions. One called for immediate peace in Korea, another for the creation of a national peace department, and another calling on the UN to abolish armaments. She shed her given name and donned a shirt with a new one, Peace Pilgrim. Peace's march didn't end with the parade. She kept going and set out on a mission to walk coast to coast in the name of peace. She carried almost no belongings, just a pen, comb, toothbrush, map, and the tunic on her back. She didn't use money, and she depended on the kindness of strangers for food and for a place to sleep. By 1964, Peace had walked over 25,000 miles. After that, she stopped counting. Over 28 years, she crossed the country seven times, wearing out 29 pairs of shoes in the process. Peace gained attention for her walks and was invited to speak at schools and churches about her philosophy. On July 7th, 1981, she was in a fatal car accident. A day before her death, Peace was interviewed by the radio station in town. ...appears to be a most happy woman. SPEAKER_00: I certainly am a happy person. Who could know God and not be joyous? I want to wish you all peace. SPEAKER_05: All month, we're highlighting dynamos. For more information, check us out on Facebook and Instagram, at Womanica Podcast. Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator. Talk to you tomorrow. 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