Kathy Kelly has traveled to Iraq 26 times, notably remaining in combat zones during the early days of both phases of the U.S.-Iraq conflict. She has gone to Lebanon, Egypt, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and been arrested more than 60 times for her nonviolent actions to protest war efforts.
The Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University and the Student Advocates of Nonviolence will host “Courage for Peace, Not for War” a lecture by Kelly at 7 p.m., Wednesday in room 459 of the College of Business and Economics building.
“The actions Kathy Kelly has been taking for a number of years has represented a stand against poverty, war, social and economic injustices, and often times, these symbolic stands are often more effective than words,” said John Shibley, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies.
“She brings to us the experience of someone who has lived among those whom we have attacked.”
Kelly, Shibley said, has dedicated her life to protesting violence in areas that reach far beyond the United States.
A three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Kelly is a Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace and the recipient of the Chomsky, Archbishop Oscar Romero and Thomas Merton Center awards.
“When I think of the great nonviolent activists of the 20th century, just like everybody else, I think of (Mahatma Gandhi) and I think of (Martin Luther King Jr.),” Shibley said.
“Both Gandhi and King, great as they were in their dedication and devotion to nonviolence, worked almost exclusively for their people. Kathy Kelly has gone out to work for other people. She has stretched her belief in nonviolence to extend beyond her own country.”
The event, part of the Gandhi/King Series is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact John Shibley, at 304-293-3905 or John.Shibley@mail.wvu.edu.
