Lately I have been thinking a lot about heroes. For one thing, I have been listening to an audiobook biography of Fred Rogers, Mr. Rogers of Children's TV fame. He was always a hero of mine because of the courage it takes in our society for a man to be soft and gentle. Just listening to his voice was soothing to me when my daughter watched his show, and I still laugh at the ego fallibility of people when I think of the response to King Friday, "Right as usual King Friday!"
But we have many many homegrown heroes both famous and obscure. One that is on my mind right now is Peach Pilgrim. A friend with whom I had lunch recently brought me the winter 2019 copy of the newsletter dedicated to her memory. Peace Pilgrim was born in Egg Harbor where she lived until she received a revelation and took to the open road to spread the word of peace. Here is her message:
"Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, hatred with love."
As relevant today as at any time in the history of humankind. She walked the world day in and day out spreading her message and people everywhere she went responded with gratitude, hospitality,
and appreciation.
Peace Pilgrim traveled with a belt baby carrying a toothbrush and a comb and a letter or two, that's all. Everywhere she went she was fed and given a bed for the night, and if she didn't have one she slept where she found shelter. She died July 5, 1981, when, as was entirely unusual for her, she accepted a ride from a supporter to her next church lecture appearance and was killed in a head-on-collision. She must have had a presentiment that her time was due because in the appearance just before she left by automobile on that fateful ride, she kept looking up towards the sky and she said a person-to-person farewell to the people in the audience in Knox, Indiana.
There are people who remember Peace Pilgrim all over the world and there are monuments to her in various places including Peace Park in Egg Harbor.
I can't remember now how I first found out about her, whether I stumbled on the park and the statue and did some research or whether someone told me about her, but a friend, Barb Solem, and I went to a memorial event one year in her honor and Barb got on the mailing list and has received the newsletter ever since.
If you would like to know more about Peace Pilgrim, the radio archivist of KRAB fm, Seattle Washington, donated a copy of an interview that ran in 1976 and 1978. The link for that is -
https://bit/ly/2LWf2Eu (sorry - I tried this link and no server found)
On the 100th anniversary of her birth, there was a big celebration in Egg Harbor City, in 2008 (which must have been the event my friend and I attended) and again more informal event have been held in her memory at Peace Pilgrim Park, as recently as 2017 and 2018. You can sign up for the newsletter to find out about events such as the Appalachian Trail Retreat which will be held Sept. 20-22, 2019. Peace Pilgrim's sister, Helene Young is 103 and was the special guest at a vegetarian pot luck held in June 2018.
There are other walking pilgrims in this great tradition such as Geoff Dalglish who walks to promote conservation and a loving respect for our earth. Recently he completed a "Walk for Water" and the latest newsletter gives a valuable sidebar on Geoff's tips on the "ART" of Walking for a cause.
A couple, William and Alexandra, have been bicycling and singing for twelve years over 33,000 miles and 48 countries to promote understanding between peoples. You can find their message, their music and Alexandra's art at -
https://sites.google.com/site/wayofpilgrims/
There are many publications, dads and resources available through the website:
www.peacepilgrim.org
contact information:
Friends of Peace Pilgrim
P.O. Box 2207
Shelton, Ct 06484
call 203-926-1581
email - friends@peacepilgrim.org
Some final words of advice from the peace pilgrim via her newsletter:
"Live in the Present. Do the things that need to be done. Do all the good you can each day. The future will unfold."
In her own words, Peace Pilgrim described her mission:
"My appointed work is to awaken the divine nature that is within. This is my calling to open doors of truth and make people think, to arouse others from their apathy and lethargy and get them to seek out for themselves the peace which dwells within This is the extent of my undertaking. I can do no more. The rest I leave to a higher power."
Peace Pilgrim is an inspiration to all who have come in contact with her legacy!
Happy Trails,
Jo Ann
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