In today’s episode of Good on Wood we speak with Frida Berrigan, Clare Grady & Jackie Allen about the profound impact of Elizabeth McAlister's life, teachings and half a century of activism. Together we reflect on personal stories, letters exchanged, and the significance of Liz's activism within the Catholic Worker Movement and the Plowshares Movement. They discuss her early life, the challenges she faced, and the importance of community and spirituality in her resistance to the Vietnam War and Nuclear Weapons. The dialogue emphasizes the interconnectedness of personal experiences and political activism, highlighting Liz's legacy as a symbol of light and hope for the world. 

About Frida Berrigan 

Frida Berrigan lives in New London, CT with her husband and three kids. She is an urban farmer and community activist, organizing around affordable home ownership with the Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust, and against the ever stretching shadow of militarism with the Connecticut Committee on Nuclear Prohibition. She serves on the board of Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center in PA and organizes locally with the People’s Budget Coalition. She writes periodically for WagingNonviolence, TomDispatch.Com and In These Times, and is the author of the 2015 book “It Runs In The Family: On Being Raised By Radicals And Growing Into Rebellious Motherhood” (OR Books). Last year, she authored Our Fast Matters, a booklet of 40 Lenten reflections for Pax Christi USA. 

About Clare Grady 

Clare Grady is an American peace activist and a member of the Catholic Worker and the Plowshares movements. She advocated against use of cruise missiles for first-strike capability in the 1983 Griffiss Plowshares action. In 2003, she and three others made up The Saint Patrick's Day Four, who conducted a protest action at a military recruiting centre in Lansing, New York against the impending Iraq War. She participated in the Kings Bay Plowshares action on April 4, 2018, which resulted in a conviction and sentence of one year and a day. A mother and grandmother, Clare spent two decades working at Loaves & Fishes, an Ithaca-based kitchen which provides free meals, hospitality, companionship and advocates for those in need. 

About Jackie Allen

Jackie Allen Doucot is a life long Plowshares activist, artist, Water Protector, Catholic Worker, Spiritual Companion and a member of the Atlantic Life Community. She can be reached at - hartfordcatholicworker.org

RESOURCES:

The Berrigan - McAlister Archives (DePaul University)

Nuclear Weapons Ruined My Life by. Frida Berrigan 

Frida’s Book - “It Runs in the Family”

Hit & Stay Documentary

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Music for this episode provided by John & David from The Brilliance,  and our own Steve Schallert