On a cloudy January afternoon in Wellesley, Massachusetts, snow and ice covered the ground as the world awaited a report from the UN weapons inspection team in Iraq. However, the frigid climate did not deter an overflow crowd of nearly 350 people from gathering at the Wellesley College Jewett Art Center to hear U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) deliver the Jeannette Rankin Lecture on World Peace. Within a few moments of her opening remarks, it was clear that the second of the Women´s Lecture Series on Human Values sponsored by the Boston Research Center for the 21st Century and the Wellesley Centers for Women would be an unforgettable experience.

As they entered the auditorium, guests were greeted by portraits of Jeannette Rankin and Barbara Lee projected onto a larger-than-life screen suspended above the stage. Jeannette Rankin of Montana was the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and is best known for her votes against entry into World War I in 1917 and, 24 years later, in opposition to World War II. Barbara Lee, who cast the sole vote in Congress against the unlimited use of military force in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001, has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1998. While Rankin was an unconditional pacifist and Lee is not, the two women stand as models of courage and integrity in the face of pressure to go to war.

As executive director of the Wellesley Centers for Women, Susan McGee Bailey reflected on the life of Representative Rankin in her welcoming remarks, she invited various women-including the president of Wellesley College, Diana Chapman Walsh-to read aloud the peace-oriented words of Jeannette Rankin: from 1917, "I still believe war is a stupid and futile way of attempting to settle international difficulties. I believe war can be avoided and will be avoided when the people, the men and women in America, as well as in Germany, have the controlling voice in their government. Today special interests are controlling the world."; from 1929, "War is the slaughter of human beings temporarily regarded as enemies"; from 1934, "Preparation for war leads to war"; from 1937, "There is propaganda everywhere"; and from 1961, "I´ve always been an advocate for peace." These stirring quotes from an enduring voice for peace established an eagerness throughout the audience to hear Barbara Lee elaborate on alternatives to war.

In her introduction of Congresswoman Lee, Boston Research Center executive director Virginia Straus reminded listeners that both congresswomen were trained as social workers. "They have a spirit of service," she noted and suggested that each woman had carried the wisdom of that service model, of caring about human needs, into Congress with her. "Barbara Lee, like Jeannette Rankin, thinks for herself. She´s not afraid to listen to her inner voice," Straus added before surprising Barbara Lee by sharing a letter from Rosa Parks:

"What an honor it is to be part of this series," Barbara Lee acknowledged, as she praised Wellesley College and the Wellesley Centers for Women for "everything you do to see that women have the opportunity for leadership." She also confided that every time she walks past the statue of Jeannette Rankin in Washington, "I feel her spirit." She concurred with Rankin´s assessment that "killing more people won´t help matters" and suggested that "without peace and justice, we will never know security." Lee´s incisiveness, warmth, and humor made amply clear the reason she so quickly became a legislative leader.

In her discussion of alternatives to war, Congresswoman Lee asserted that President Bush "does seem to ignore the larger context." She focused on the conservative estimated cost of the proposed war in Iraq of $100 million, pointing out that the same amount would create 1.5 million units of new affordable housing, repair and renovate schools nationwide, and provide health care for five years to the eleven million children presently uninsured. Furthermore, she explained that President Bush has not accounted for rebuilding in Iraq following the war, nor has he provided an estimate of costs that might be incurred if the war goes badly. "We must not allow the administration to disguise what is at stake and at risk," she warned.

Affirming that she can best stand for the country by standing for peace, Barbara Lee stated, "There is no axis of evil. There never was." She expressed strong concern that the President´s policy of "first strike" may spawn "endless crises and endless conflict." Drawing on her experience as a member of the International Relations Committee, she left no doubt about her position: "Regime change should not be the basis for our foreign policy. Our policy should be disarmament." She was equally unequivocal in saying that withdrawing from the ABM Treaty was wrong and that, in her judgment, the current president of the United States is undermining the United Nations at every turn. "It takes leadership to solve the world´s conflicts peacefully," she added.

Congresswoman Lee underscored the need for alternatives to war, for multilateral cooperation, and for abiding by the rule of law. To fight against war, she indicated, we need patience, foresight, and leadership. "We are faced with an unstable economy, rising unemployment, homelessness, a staggering HIV pandemic, an increasingly toxic environment, and the resegregation of public education," she declared.

Before taking questions from the audience, the speaker warned, "We must not say this rush to war is a fait accompli." Urging the silent majority to become a vocal majority, she indicated that the "consequences of silence are too terrible." She exhorted her listeners, in memory of Jeannette Rankin, to "use your skills and intellect and energy to work for peace. You can make a difference."

The affection and admiration of the audience was perhaps best expressed by the first question, "Congresswoman, when are you running for president?", a question Barbara Lee laughingly deferred. Other concerns raised included: Why isn´t more being made of the "stolen presidency"? Why is there not more widespread challenge to the Patriot Act? Why are we not making stronger connections between peace and justice? What can school-age children do? How do we address the growing influence of corporations? What can be done in the Middle East? What about the role of women of color? Why is the FCC no longer willing to work for a multiplicity of media voices?

As she concluded her presentation, Congresswoman Lee told her listeners, "I´m very inspired by this evening." For those in the audience, the inspiration was mutual. By emphasizing justice, values, and the positive potential of leadership for peace, Barbara Lee is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

Helen Marie Casey