<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">FOR IMMEDIATE RLEASE<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Jeannette Rankin Peace Center
Announces the 2107 Peacemaker<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Contact: Betsy Mulligan-Dague,
<a href="mailto:peace@jrpc.org">peace@jrpc.org</a> or 406-274-6171<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Available for interview: Mary Poole: <a href="mailto:info@softlandingmissoula.org">info@softlandingmissoula.org</a> or
406-493-0504<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;text-indent:27pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Betsy Mulligan-Dague, <a href="mailto:peace@jrpc.org">peace@jrpc.org</a>
or 406-274-6171<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt 1in;text-indent:0.5in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The Jeannette Rankin Peace
Center and the Missoula Peace Quilters are thrilled to honor and celebrate Mary
Poole, founder and director of Soft Landing Missoula. It started with a picture
-- the one we all saw of the small body of Alan Kurdi, a 3-year-old Syrian boy
who drowned as he and his family were trying to reach Europe in the midst of
the refugee crisis. Mary, the mother of a small boy herself was moved. But Mary
went further and acted. She is the fire behind Soft Landing Missoula which
began in the fall of 2015 to make sure Missoula stands alongside communities
across the world to welcome and protect other "Alan Kurdi's". Today Missoula
has an International Rescue Committee office and several families from Congo,
Syria, and Eritrea call Missoula home thanks to the leadership of Mary. But
unlike other cities welcoming refugees, Soft Landing Missoula provides another
level of support to the refugees and the community so the resettlement is
successful. Caring about the welfare of these families is good, but the real
inspiration in Mary's work is her care and concern for those in our
community who are opposed to the work of Soft Landing. It is true peacemaking
to seek to understand one's opposition. Mary has shown courage and compassion to listen
to the fears, the anger, even the threats of those who don't believe in the
mission of Soft Landing. And even to call them friends. In the world we live in
today, this is a great portrait of peacemaking. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">The peacemaker
award is given each year to individuals or groups who demonstrate a long-term
commitment to peace and justice and take a leadership role in creating a better
world. We look for people who “walk the walk” in their personal and
professional lives. Join us as we welcome Mary to the list of honored Missoula
Peacemakers and celebrate her work at an awards celebration on Sunday, </span><span class="gmail-aqj"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Saturday, May 20</span></span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:arial,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">,<span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="gmail-aqj"><span style="z-index: -1;"><span tabindex="0" style="z-index: 0;">3-5 pm</span></span></span><span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"> at Har Shalom</span><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">. The Missoula
Peace Quilters have just completed a very special quilt for Mary, as they do
for each of the award recipients.  The quilt will be unveiled and
presented at the celebration on May 20, and a reception will follow.  The
event is free and open to the public.  <span></span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height:107%;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">We accept
nominations for this award throughout the year and the choice is made each
fall. For more information about the award, please visit our website at<span class="gmail-apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.jrpc.org/" target="_blank">www.jrpc.org</a><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">PRIOR PEACEMAKER OF THE YEAR WINNERS<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1986    Flo Chessin<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1987    Jim Ranney<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1988    Butch Turk<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1989    Connie Skousen<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1990    Perry Gliessmann<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1991    Pat Ortmeyer<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1992    Anita Doyle<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1993    Beth Sirr<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1994    Scott Morgan & Tom Javins<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1995    Julie Grant<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1996    Alice Campbell<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1997    John Agner & Tammy Elser<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">1998    Pete Lawrenson<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2000    Jim Hogan<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2001    Liz Rantz<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2002    Scott Nicholson & Bryony Schwan<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2003    Rita Jankowski-Bradley<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2004    Amy Martin<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2005    Ethel MacDonald<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2006    Peter Shober<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2007    Josh Slotnick<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2008    Carel Schneider & Women In Black<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2009    Jim Caron<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2010    John Baugh<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2011    Jane McAllister<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2012    Dan Gallagher<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2013    Meyer “Mike” Chessin<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2014    Claudia Brown<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2015    Kathi and Glenn “Woody” Wood<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">2016    Patrick Weasel
Head<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span></p></div><div><div class="gmail_signature"><font style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif" size="4"><b style="color:rgb(0,102,0)"><font size="2"><br></font></b></font><div style="text-align:center"><br><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Betsy Mulligan-Dague, Executive Director</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Jeannette Rankin Peace Center</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">...working to build a world that is nonviolent, socially just and environmentally sustainable...</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"></div><div style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">519 S. Higgins</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Missoula, MT 59801</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Phone: 406-543-3955</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Fax:  406-541-3997</span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:peace@jrpc.org" target="_blank">peace@jrpc.org</a></span><br style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.jrpc.org" target="_blank">www.jrpc.org</a></span></div></div></div>
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