From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman calling herself only “Peace Pilgrim” walked more than 50,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to “remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.” In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound, and it continues to inspire people all over the world.
This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.”
Peace Pilgrim began her pilgrimage at the head of the 1953 Rose Parade in Pasadena, and she kept walking for peace for the rest of her life. She made six complete round trips across the United States, carrying her only possessions — a comb, a toothbrush, a pen, and leaflets about peace which she would pass out along her way. On the front of her shirt were the letters, “PEACE PILGRIM,” and on the back, after she had walked her first 25,000 miles, it said, “25,000 MILES ON FOOT FOR PEACE.”
She carried no money, nor would she accept any. She did not ask for anything. She went without food until it was offered to her. She slept wherever she could, such as a bus station or a corn field, if no one offered her a place to sleep. To all who would listen, she spoke about the vital need for peace, and about the practical things we can do to work for peace. To her, peace in the world and peace within each of us were one and the same thing.
She had walked more than 50,000 miles for peace and was still in impeccable health when she left this life in 1981 as the result of an automobile accident. Though her 28-year pilgrimage had taken her well into her seventies, she had never had a single cold or any other illness. She was a complete vegetarian, believing that this way of eating was in alignment with her commitment to peace. She slept as soundhas learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food.” In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound, and it continues to inspire people all over the world.
This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood wly as the most peaceful baby, her eyesight and hearing were perfect, and she radiated a vitality and compassion that were luminous. Her mind was as clear as bell, and her heart was so pure, so noble, and so good that the example of her life, vividly captured in this documentary, continues to inspire millions.
“It’s said that the measure of a person’s integrity is how well their beliefs and their actions match up, how well they ‘walk their talk.’ By this standard, Peace Pilgrim was nothing less than an American saint. She touched by live more deeply than I can describe.”
—
