A famous Egg Harbor City/Cologne peace activist: Peace PilgrimPeace Pilgrim (Mildred Lisette Norman Ryder) had a deep inspiration to work for peace. She walked on a pilgrimage across the U.S. continually, from the mid 1950s until her death in 1981, spreading the message "Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth and hatred with love." Her ministry and witness for peace inspired many people over the years. Friends and admirers keep her work alive by publishing her writings and telling her story.Peace was born in 1908 to a family of freethinkers in the Egg Harbor City/Cologne, New Jersey area. Her great-grandfather, the musician Philip Mathias Wolsieffer, was EHC's first mayor. On July 12, 2005 a park in her hometown was renamed and dedicated in her memory.The organization "Friends of Peace Pilgrim" has an excellent website that includes a short biography of "Peace." I have written an article on the 2008 celebration of Peace Pilgrim's 100th birthday. An abridged version of this article appeared in the 2009 newsletter of the Down Jersey Folklife Center, "South Jersey Traditions."    The Cologne Post Office was Peace Pilgrim's only "home address." Photo credits: Walking: Unknown 1980; Resting: Fred Dixon, 1963; Cologne PO: Laurence Seidel, c2006 see: http://www.stampconnections.com/images/postoffices/nj.cologne.jpg This site maintained by Bob Barnett. Last updated: 2013 Tenth Month, 7th. |
