Mildred Lisette Norman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peace Pilgrim (July 18, 1908 – July 7, 1981) born Mildred Lisette Norman, was an American pacifist, vegetarian, and peace activist. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season. Starting on January 1, 1953 in Pasadena, California, Norman walked across the United States for 28 years.

The spiritual classic "Steps Toward Inner Peace" is a transcript of a 1964 talk given by her on KPFK radio in Los Angeles, California. In that year, she completed 25,000 miles on foot for peace, after which she stopped counting miles.

Peace's Pilgrim's only possessions were the clothes on her back and the few items she carried in the pockets of her blue tunic which read "PEACE PILGRIM" on the front and "25,000 MILES ON FOOT FOR PEACE" on the back. She had no organizational backing, carried no money, and would not even ask for food or shelter. It had to be offered without asking. For 28 years, all her needs were met. "Aren't people good," she would often say. She spoke to all who would listen about the entire peace picture; peace among nations, peace among groups, and the very important "inner peace" because she believed that was where peace began.

Expressing her ideas about peace and ending war, she referred to herself only as "Peace Pilgrim." Her pilgrimage spanned almost three decades beginning during the Korean War and continuing during the American involvement in the Vietnam War and beyond. She died in an automobile accident in 1981 while being driven to a speaking engagement near Knox, Indiana. At the time of her death, she was crossing the United States for the seventh time.

[edit] Quotes

This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.

Peace Pilgrim's vow: "I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace; walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."

We who work for peace must not falter. We must continue to pray for peace and to act for peace in whatever way we can, we must continue to speak for peace and to live the way of peace; to inspire others, we must continue to think of peace and to know that peace is possible.