My mom has been compiling stories about unsung Quakers for the students at Friends Community School outside of D.C. for a decade or so now. Ida would probably appreciate them. I'll see if I can get copies and email them to you. One of my favorites, if only because I knew him briefly and he had the best name ever, was of octogenarian Floy…
My mom has been compiling stories about unsung Quakers for the students at Friends Community School outside of D.C. for a decade or so now. Ida would probably appreciate them. I'll see if I can get copies and email them to you. One of my favorites, if only because I knew him briefly and he had the best name ever, was of octogenarian Floyd Schmoe, who fought on behalf of Japanese folks sent to internment camps back in the day (and not so long ago).
We've done all of this before. And we'll do it again. What other alternative is there? Let them win? Absolutely not.
When I moved to Seattle after graduating from Earlham to participate in the internship program run by University Friends Meeting, Floyd was still a somewhat regular attender. He was also over 100 and would sometimes be moved to speak in Meeting (as you do). He rambled something fierce. His messages could go on for 15-20 minutes. But, as I told my mom at the time, if you make it over 100 you get to do whatever the hell you want and I'm just gonna shut my mouth and listen.
Over 100!!! If I am ever so lucky, there's part of me that feels like I may be so tired so as to finally be tired, but if I am moved to speak I'll be grateful that Friends and friends alike will be patient with my rambles (which, now that I put it, is basically the current gift of my professional life).
Mom says a good start is Quakers in the World, with the following caveat (according to her): it's too British, too White, and too male, though better than it used to be. I can access her (more diverse) stories once I get home to my own laptop.
My mom has been compiling stories about unsung Quakers for the students at Friends Community School outside of D.C. for a decade or so now. Ida would probably appreciate them. I'll see if I can get copies and email them to you. One of my favorites, if only because I knew him briefly and he had the best name ever, was of octogenarian Floyd Schmoe, who fought on behalf of Japanese folks sent to internment camps back in the day (and not so long ago).
We've done all of this before. And we'll do it again. What other alternative is there? Let them win? Absolutely not.
I would love, love, love to see this compilation! For lots of reasons, including one's related to Floyd Schmoe's name.
When I moved to Seattle after graduating from Earlham to participate in the internship program run by University Friends Meeting, Floyd was still a somewhat regular attender. He was also over 100 and would sometimes be moved to speak in Meeting (as you do). He rambled something fierce. His messages could go on for 15-20 minutes. But, as I told my mom at the time, if you make it over 100 you get to do whatever the hell you want and I'm just gonna shut my mouth and listen.
Over 100!!! If I am ever so lucky, there's part of me that feels like I may be so tired so as to finally be tired, but if I am moved to speak I'll be grateful that Friends and friends alike will be patient with my rambles (which, now that I put it, is basically the current gift of my professional life).
Mom says a good start is Quakers in the World, with the following caveat (according to her): it's too British, too White, and too male, though better than it used to be. I can access her (more diverse) stories once I get home to my own laptop.
https://www.quakersintheworld.org/