Women's Voices Women Speak

Women's Voices Women Speak (WVWS) was founded in 2004 when Terri Keko'olani, Bernadette Gigi Miranda, Julia Estrella, and Ellen-Rae Cachola returned from the East-Asia-U.S.-Puerto Rico Women's Network Against Militarism gathering in Manila, Philippines. This delegation of women represented Hawai'i, reporting on how issues of militarism and colonialism affect the Native Hawaiian peoples and lands. They shared with other peace, anti-bases women activists from Asia, the Pacific, the U.S. and the Caribbean. During this meeting, the participants learned about the impact of militarism on Philippine people, specifically women, and on the environment. From this gathering, Terri, Gigi and Ellen-Rae thought it was important to continue building this transnational relationship as well as inter-ethnic relationship in Hawai'i. Since then, WVWS has participated in other Network gatherings and has invited more Indigenous and local women to represent Hawai'i in San Francisco, Guåhan, Puerto Rico, and Okinawa, and to build relationships with other women activists across the world. Community reports can be found on the blog site: wvws808.blogspot.com. Also, some Hawai'i delegates have published scholarly articles reporting on issues learned at international gatherings. This collection features some archival materials produced by WVWS members throughout the years.