I met Caitlin while I was visiting Arizona on the 50 in 52 Journey. She had opened her home to me to conduct an interview of Debbie Jordan, a woman who has dedicated her life to bringing about the end of poverty as a path to ending war. (http://www.50in52journey.com/states/Arizona1.asp) Caitlin was in the background and I could just sense her energy and passion. It has taken a number of months but at last we have connected. As I got to know her through gmail chat her dedication and energy were palpable through the screen.
What do you think of when you hear the word Peace? For Caitlin it is not a place of blame, or a physical location on the globe, peace begins at home, “in our own backyards” and is perpetuated in every choice we make. I introduce you to a woman who at 9 years old was traumatized into her life’s calling. That calling will no doubt lay a foundation for a better place for each of us to call home.
Caitlin.
Caitlin: Okay! Here we go! This is Caitlin B. Flaherty, the Executive Director of the AZ Dept. of Peace Campaign, a local organization set up to assist the national organization, The Peace Alliance, whose mission it is to advocate for the creation of a Cabinet Level of the Executive Branch, U.S. Dept. of Peace. The Dept. of Peace, in a small nutshell, will research, articulate and facilitate nonviolent solutions to domestic and international conflicts
Dafna: Hi Caitlin!
Thanks for chatting with me today!
Can you tell me how you first got involved in Peace?
Caitlin: As a newsletter subscriber of Marianne Williamson’s, I received a ‘Call to Action’ to go to Washington, DC to learn how to lobby for the creation of a Dept. of Peace. That was Seven years ago, this month!
Ms. Williamson, a well known national inspirational speaker and teacher of, A Course in Miracles, presented the concept of creating a Dept. that would, in its best and truest form, help to alleviate ALL forms of violence, domestic, animal abuse, school bullying, elderly abuse, etc… Having felt frustrated for so many years that, as one person, how can I afford to make a difference to all the people and groups out there in need? This seems like the most logical, pragmatic and spiritual approach, as of yet, to be developed in making the biggest impact in society with regard to violence issues.
Dafna: How far back do you remember feeling frustrated or being aware?
Caitlin: Since childhood. I was VERY young when I witnessed kids bullying an elderly homeless woman on my street. To this day, that memory is emotionally vivid!
Dafna: Can you tell me a little more about what you saw and how your young mind processed it?
Caitlin: Three kids, 2 boys and one girl, approximately 12 - 14 years of age, were calling her names as she walked down my street, throwing small rocks at her as they followed her to the train station, where she lived in a very small, abandoned home with another woman, possibly her sister. She began to cry and yelled at them, “Why don’t you leave me alone!” “I’m a human being. How can you treat me like this.” I cried and I felt deep shame for not having the courage to step in on her behalf! Something in that moment shifted within me and I ‘KNEW” that my life work had just been revealed to me!
Dafna: How old were you?
Caitlin: About 9
Dafna: Can you point to specific decisions you have made in your life as a result and where you hope it will take you?
Caitlin: Yes! There are many, LOL! I no longer ‘hope’ as I’ve personally come to see hope, as well intentioned as it is, to be akin to, ‘wishful’ thinking. Something outside of me that, by chance, may or may not happen, so I ‘wait’… I believe and know that it is my life purpose to be an active participant in a large movement, I like to call, ‘the peace movement’, who will undoubtedly, one day be the next greatest human rights movement to be achieved. Knowing that I stood for something positive in my life and the lives of all living things on this planet, just by making better choices in my life, as an individual, on a daily basis, I will die knowing I chose to make a difference and that’s enough for me. I’m a Peaceful Warrior Foot Soldier!
This movement, as ‘quiet’ as it may appear to those not involved in it, day to day, has been growing exponentially and we’ve identified that it will only be through collaboration of all the peace and nonviolence organizations coming together to work as one, that the reality of a sustainable culture of peace will be possible!
Dafna: Your sense of excitement is palpable in your words!
How have the powers that be responded to a request for a State level peace position?
Caitlin: It’s been mixed, of course! Initially, the response was dismal. Ironically, since the war in Afghanistan has been ongoing, we are seeing a surge in support however, it will take some time as we need both parties to be willing to work together and not use worthwhile legislation as a power tool to divide and conquer!
Right now, there is legislation called, The Youth Promise Act, which has passed the House of Representatives and will be or is on its way to the Senate! this is HUGE for us because of it’s likeness to our bill, HB 808
Dafna: How do you hope this legislation will impact your goals?
Caitlin: The YPA implements the best policy recommendations from crime policy makers, researchers, practitioners, analysts, and law enforcement from across the political spectrum concerning evidence and research-based strategies to reduce gang violence and crime. these strategies will target young people who are at risk of becoming involved, or who are already involved in, gangs or the criminal justice system to redirect them toward productive and law-abiding alternatives. THIS legislation is targeting one group of society yet, it’s approach is exactly the same as what we hold for ALL of society. This bill was much more specific in its financial revelations than our bill, which has been one of the biggest criticisms of ours!
Dafna: What can people at home do to be involved?
Caitlin: There are so many ways for people to be involved and the beauty of it all is that each person, depending upon their lifestyle, can choose the level of involvement that meets their needs! The most basic, non intrusive participation that comes to mind as an example would be, sign the petition on-line at Change.Org; write an Op-Ed to your local newspaper in support of the creation of a Dept. of Peace; begin having conversations around violence and the MANY forms it takes and how many of us, unwittingly, perpetuate it in our own lives! As an example, office gossip sets up a hostile work environment. Harshly spoken words to our children and spouses sets up dissent, discord and disharmony within our own homes. Ignoring our neighbors creates a separateness that is fosters disregard for others… violence is much more than a fist in your face!
Caitlin: We would love to have people volunteer at events, help with planning fundraising, be on the board of directors, work with the Student Peace Alliance… There is much that needs to be done.
Dafna: How have you changed since taking on this role?
Caitlin: I have and continue to “clean-up” my own yard (life)! I have been inspired to examine my own life choices to see where I am contributing in ways that are not promoting nonviolence. For example, one year ago this month, I became a vegetarian. After eating fast food three times a day, six days a week and signing animal rights petitions on my computer at night, I came to see some of my choices were based in hypocrisy. I pay attention to my choice of words so as not to foster violent communication. I pay attention to my self-talk for that same reason. I make it a point to look people in the eye and smile at them, for no reason. The changes have been many and they have changed my life in a way I could not previously conceive to be real!
And, I have a LONG way to go still in my growth but I am very happy to be where I am, today
Dafna: What message would you like for people to take away from this conversation?
Caitlin: In order for world peace to occur, peace MUST begin within, and that is wonderful news for everyone because this means that the biggest impact a person can choose to make in this world is to change themselves; how they show up; make better, life serving choices. Others, undoubtedly will be inspired to look at themselves and create change within their own lives. Truly, cleaning up our own backyards is all it takes to being a change agent for peace! There are many programs that exist out there to assist people in developing the tools needed to clean up their own lives. “If you want to save the world, start with yourself.”
Dafna: Thank you so much Caitlin!
I can’t wait to see where the work goes
At the end of the day, I believe we all truly want to live in peace.
Caitlin: Thank you, Dafna, for the work you are doing and for choosing to be a change agent for peace! Your work is inspiring! Thank you for allowing us to share the work we are doing. I hope some of your followers are inspired, knowing that work is being done for the greater good!
Dafna: 
I always love ending a chat with a mutual admiration party! You honor me, with your work and your time! Now, all of us, back to work!! We have A LOT to do.
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You can find Caitlin: locally (Arizona), caitlinbflaherty@gmail.com or through our national organization, The Peace Alliance, www.thepeacealliance.org for all other local, State Chapters.
