Ann W. Yellott
After moving to Tucson in 1972 Ann has devoted much of her life to peacebuilding violence prevention conflict resolution and social justice concerns. She worked collectively with others in the 70's to start the first shelter for abused women and children in Tucson and wrote the original grants to obtain funding for the Rape Crisis Center the Tucson Center for Women and Children and several non-traditional job training programs for women. Dedicating herself originally to women's issues Ann then expanded her focus to the field of peacemaking and conflict resolution first locally in Tucson as the manager of the Community Mediation Program then statewide through her involvement in volunteer leadership positions within the Arizona Dispute Resolution Association and eventually working on a national and international level as Co-Director of the National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution (AKA PeaceWeb). Recent projects over the past 3-4 years include: leading a peace studies delegation to South Africa; helping to develop the Culture of Peace Alliance (COPA) in Tucson; co-hosting a restorative justice Circle Training for Arizona tribal court systems in partnership with the Tohono O'odham Justice Center; co-creating The Center for Global Peace and Prosperity with colleagues in Laguna Beach California; and partnering with civil rights pioneer Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr. to help initiate the Nonviolent Youth Leadership Alliance. Calling attention to peacebuilding projects happening in thousands of communities across the US and around the world Ann remains hopeful about the conscious evolution of humankind to create a world that works for all. She reminds us that we create peace every day by listening compassionately to others appreciating the abundant and profound beauty of the earth connecting with Spirit and following our own unique calling.