The Valley's most famous living peace activist is having a birthday. It should come as no surprise that Frances Crowe, known for her opposition to war through war tax resistance and eco-pacifism, isn't hoping for the standard cake-and-presents birthday fete.
"When friends and family suggested a party to celebrate her approaching 90th birthday, Frances Crowe had a better idea. Instead of legions of well-wishers driving from far and wide to celebrate her life, she asks everyone to stay put, slow down, enjoy where you are and reflect on ways to diminish the impact our daily lives have on our wonderful planet," began a prepared statement from some of Crowe's friends. "Celebrate Frances' 90th birthday and her lifelong commitment to peace, justice and community by not driving on Sunday, March 15, 2009. If car travel is unavoidable on that day, seek out friends and neighbors to carpool and share the ride. If carpooling is impossible, choose another day during that week when you can refrain from driving."
Crowe, who received the Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey in 2007, putting her in the same company as Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Rosa Parks and Muhammad Ali, has been involved in the anti-war movement since 1945. She worked as a draft counselor during the Vietnam War, helping people apply for conscientious objector status. She's organized against nuclear weapons, against apartheid, against the war in Iraq. Crowe has been instrumental in establishing a number of prominent social activist organizations in the Valley, including the Traprock Peace Center in Deerfield, the Valley Peace Center in Amherst and the local chapter of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She has been involved in the Society of Friends, the American Friends Service Committee, the War Resisters League and Amnesty International.
The Frances Crowe Papers, an ongoing collection of documents related to her social activism over decades, is part of the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College. The Crowe Papers, which encompasses the years 1960-2003, fills 54 boxes and is likely to grow considerably in light of Crowe's prolific work since 2003 and the fact that she shows no signs of slowing down.
"Frances has been ahead of the curve in her thinking and her actions for decades," Crowes' friends say. "She walks the walk—quite literally!"
To grant Frances Crowe her birthday wish, don't drive on March 15.
