Home page of Arkansas WAND

ARKANSAS WAND EMPOWERS WOMEN

About Us

Our Goals:

• Promote alternatives to militarism and violence as the solution to conflict • Shift from a military to a civilian based economy, ensuring that human, economic and environmental needs are met • Clean up environmental effects of nuclear weapons production as well as toxic waste at military facilities and prevent further contamination • Eliminate testing, production and use of weapons of mass destruction • Prevent violence against women • Increase women’s political leadership to further WAND’s goals

MILESTONES

These events have special significance in our history:

1997 | Jean Gordon, Founder

Posted in Milestones by Irene on March 26, 2016

In 1997, Jean Gordon invited women working with non-profits to a luncheon to interest them in starting a WAND chapter here in Central Arkansas.

2013 | Leymah Gbowee

Posted in Milestones by Irene on March 23, 2016

In the fall of 2011, Abigail Disney was the featured speaker for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas luncheon. Arkansas WAND members and some students from

2009 | Gila Svirsky

Posted in Milestones by Irene on March 23, 2016

In 2009, the Arkansas WAND women decided to bring an Israeli peace activist to Little Rock. This goal came after many discussions about our lack

These committed individuals are our current leaders:

Mary Cantwell

Mary is a library manager for the Central Arkansas Library System.

Mary Cantwell

Debbie Goolsby

Treasurer

Debbie has twice been to DC for WAND conferences and lobbied AR congressional representatives. She has been involved with WAND for 8 years.

Debbie Goolsby

Jean Gordon

Founder

Jean is a founder of Arkansas WAND. She has worked more than a half-century in social justice and peace movements in Little Rock. Click on her name here to read more about her.

Jean Gordon

Judy Green

Justice Judy Green is Justice of the Peace at Pulaski County, Tax Accountant at PON’D Enterprises and President/CEO at Pond Enterprises. You can read a

Judy Green

Diane Haven

Nell Matthews

Nell Matthews is retired from UAMS biomedical research and now enjoys working with several organizations including League of Women Voters, AAUW, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock, and now WAND.

Nell Matthews

Regina Stewart Hampton

Regina is employed by the Pulaski County Courts, and is Vice President of the Pulaski County Democratic Women's Club.

Regina Stewart Hampton

mPata McGraw

Member

Dr. Patricia "mPata" McGraw was a professor at UCA in Conway, and is now retired. She was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 2004.

mPata McGraw

Kris Vaughn

Kris Vaughn is the wife of an Iraq & Afghanistan war veteran. She has been a peace and equality activist since her husband, Michael, left

Kris Vaughn

Arkansas WAND Advisory Board

These distinguished women are members of our Advisory Board: Annie Abrams, Betty Bumpers, Joyce Elliott, Pat Lile, Jo Luck, Ruth Shepherd, Barbara Stanford, Minnijean Brown Trickey, and Kathy Webb

Arkansas WAND Advisory Board

EVENTS

Here's what we've been up to lately:

April Pizza, Peace & Politics

Posted in News by Irene on April 18, 2018

Early voting for primaries begins May 7th. Do you know your candidates? Join us Tuesday, April 24th at 6p.m. at US Pizza in Hillcrest and bring questions.

April Potluck

Posted in News by Irene on April 8, 2018

Dr. Anika Whitfield will lead our discussion on the newly formed Arkansas Poor People’s Campaign based on the campaign led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

illustration of a woman with a yellow telescope and "Run, Win, Lead"

2018 Mother’s Day Luncheon for Peace

Posted in News by Irene on April 5, 2018

Because we believe world peace will not happen until women have as much power as men, we are honoring the courageous women running for public office this year.