AUGUSTA, MAINE | Over 150 Seeds, educators, and community members came together on September 14 to raise support and awareness for Seeds of Peace as part of Bridges to Peace 2014.
The walk raised $3,400, led by students at South Portland High School and Kents Hill School.
United Somali Women of Maine Director and Seed mother Fatuma Hussein delivered an opening speech about the possibility of peace and social change in Maine. The walkers then made their way to the Maine State House, crossing the Memorial Bridge together. The group stopped at the Samantha Smith statue to honor the local Cold War peace activist who died in 1985 at age 13.
Following the walk, the Maine Seeds held a seminar to outline their goals for creating positive social change in their schools and home communities during the academic year. Seeds led small-group dialogues on topics such as the lack of diversity in school curricula, economics of education, media, LGBTQ issues facing Maine youth, and gender and feminism. They also held planning sessions for the annual Maine Youth Summit and Maine Youth Charter.
Seeds then facilitated a dialogue on race, opening with a poem by a Maine Seed that address issues relating to racism, privilege, and violence against young people of color across the country. The Seeds plan to continue the conversation during a summit in November that will bring together Maine community leaders.
Photo credits: Mark & Deanna Photography
BRIDGES TO PEACE MAINE 2014