The Progressives' Handbook

Janet Codispoti, the owner of a delightful little store in Hilo, Hawai'i, "The Village Toy Shop," is fairly new on the activist scene, but a fast learner. She is the spirited coordinator of the Hilo-Puna CODEPINK group on the Big Island of Hawai'i. To someone who was asking her recently what it meant to be a CODEPINK coordinator she replied, "Hey, I'm new to this, I'm just learning and it's fun."

When and how did you become an activist?

In March of 2006 I lost the lease on the space for my toyshop.  This event coupled with several other issues in my life put me into a bit of a tailspin so I decided to take a couple months off to evaluate what I wanted to do next.

This is when I met people from the local group Malu 'Aina and participated in an environmental protest against the development of arsenic-poisoned lands.

Next, Malu 'Aina was co-sponsoring the Cindy Sheehan Forum at the local University, and I gladly participated in the planning, organizing and  production of this event. I was very inspired by Cindy because she is a  regular woman like me who speaks plainly from her heart. I found myself thinking, "I want to work with her. I can do this."

Meanwhile, I was getting a quick education on the reality of war and the United State's huge investment in the war business, on the history of the US government and the big money families, the international banking system, and much more. I was definitely a person with 'my blinders on' for years, because I simply didn't want to know, it was all too scary and overwhelming. Of course I've always known with every fiber of my being that war sucks. What a waste of human life, spirit and energy! But what the heck was I suppose to do about it?

Why CODEPINK?

Cindy Sheehan being a member of CODEPINK, I started to learn about this group of Women For Peace. I like that they are very current, up to date, and getting attention. I love the sassy attitude of 'we'll show you code, Code Pink". What these women were doing and asking me to contribute to  was something I could do. They have very do-able ideas. They made signing up as the local coordinator easy and fun.  So with a few clicks I  became the local coordinator of CODEPINK Hilo-Puna. I felt confident because I already knew people in the community to join with and learn from. Now I had a direction and a group of women interested in sharing, bonding and growing a group!

Reading books by Jean Bolen, 'The Millionth Circle' and 'Urgent Message From Mother Gather the Women, Save the World' reinforced my resolve to  move forward with this idea.  Patriarchy is failing miserably at running  the world.  It is time to Call on the Goddess. It is time for women to gather and make a lot of noise! It is time for the power of the  collective Feminine to rise up!  We must learn how to be peacemakers. We must practice and teach peacemaking every day. We must gather to talk and to listen, to share and to learn. We must act courageously and boldly. It is our time to Speak Out. Humans have such amazing creative powers, what a waste of our genius to use it on war and destruction!

What amazing things can we create if we are able to focus on caring for each other and our planet? This is what I want to know and what I am working on. CODEPINK is proactive and focused on PEACE MAKING. This is an idea I can work with. I know I cannot face this system head on. I believe we must go around and above the current system and shine our lights as brightly as we can. I need to call on a power much stronger than the current power system to lead us and show us the way. That is where my hope is.

How does it feel to have been the initiator and to be the coordinator of a local CODEPINK group?

When I found the new location for my toyshop, I saw it as a great place for CODEPINK gatherings, so we immediately started to have regular meetings and the shop became our CODEPINK headquarters. I know that being a peace activist and the owner of an educational toyshop is exactly what I'm suppose to be doing and that the two activities are complementary.

Caring for our children around the world is women's work. It is time to tap into the angry mother bear energy and stand up and roar to protect our young and the future generations.

Being an activist is a wonderful part-time job for me. I feel I am using my time, energy and creativity in useful ways and I am constantly given opportunities to grow and learn as a human being facing these incredible times.

Click here for more information on local CODEPINK groups.

(Interview conducted by Viviane Lerner)