Reweaving the Web of Life: Feminism and Nonviolence

by Pam McAllister (editor)

A collection of essays, poems, and articles by women engaged in both activism and pacifism. More than simply a history of feminism, it is specifically about the oppression of women in the peace movement, a textbook on how to practice nonviolent resistance, a primer on Gandhi, and a heart-rending collection of poems that cannot help but inspire and affect one deeply.

Genres: Feminism, Activism

440 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1983

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my wife and I first started seeing one another, we shared some books, so that we could get a sense of what mattered for each of us. This was one that she shared with me (many years ago, needless to say). The subtitle is "Feminism and Nonviolence."

There are many essays as a part of this work, with authors of selections as various as Joan Baez, Alice Walker, Judy Costello, Pat James, Erika Duncan, and so on.

All in all, a thought-provoking collection. . . .

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pam McAllister edited and comprised a great collection of essays and stories on Acts of Civil Disobedience, protests, Marches, Speeches, Rallys, and Policy reform, for the Womens Movement for Equality and Peace rom the 1870's to the 1980's.
To mention a few, starting in 1853 with Quaker Activist Lucretia Mott, at "The Grand Rally of the Bloomers" at the NY Womens Rights Convention of 1853. And later at the National Womens Sufferage Association for Equal Rightts Ammendment. Lucretia committed Civil Disobedience by voting illegally in an election in Rochester NY. Also refusing to pay her jail fine telling the Judge"Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God".
Following in Mott's footsteps were Susan B. Anthony, Abby Kelly, and Alice Paul. Fighting most of their lives to end racial discrimination, for Native Americans, for freedom of thought and religion. In the words of Margaret Bacon on those "Pioneers"--"We can take strength from the women who stood bravely before us paving the way with their own courageous lives.
The Title"Reweaving the Web of Life, feminism and nonviolence" is literally a desriptive illustration of this Anthology. Empowerment, Defiance and Love are the intentions and ideals at the "Womens Pentagon Action". As hundreds of women are seated beneath their Web of colorful string and yarn"woven" as an Act of Empowerment for feminist street theatre. And used to "weave closed" the entrances to the Pentagon in 1980 as Direct Action against war, nuclear power, and violence.
I enjoyed reading this anthology addressing the true spirit of feminism and nonviolence. There are no easy answers to peace. It is ironic that we must stand up to radicals who want to destroy our independance.
But the feminist(matriotic)philosophy has been infiltrated to be sure. Raping and bullying are totally unacceptable in our culture and being exploited as such. We've come a long way baby but we've a long way to go.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book began to drag for me, largely because I had to put it on hold for months while I finished school, I am glad I read it. It's the first real feminist writing I've encountered, and it read as the early writings of the third wave of feminism. There are strong notes of intersectionality and working for multiple causes in here. Really, it made me want to read a lot more feminist theory than I already have.

I'm also massively interested in nonviolence, and one of the essays I found particularly interesting was the nonviolence of self-defense. It was interesting to read some of these women coming to terms with what nonviolence is and it's role in society and in the feminist movement.

[Anea Barer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not everything in this book is great but I adore Ellen Bass's "our stunning harvest" so this books holds a special place in my heart.

[Glen Gersmehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

very fine anthology of women's writings on social change