Living in the state capitol, we are accustomed to seeing people holding signs and raising awareness for their cause. But one local group, Women in Back, is a constant at the 4th Avenue and Water Street intersection in downtown Olympia.
Women in Black is a completely autonomous group formed in 2003 shortly after the implementation of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The local women belong to a worldwide collection who all stand silent and steadfast in the name of peace, justice and freedom. “While I’m standing with Women in Black, I pray that not one more person will be harmed by bullets or mines or bombs or by physical or verbal domestic abuse,” states one anonymous member. The women are not “protesting,” in the purest sense against a single occurrence. Instead, their intent is to be witness to atrocities worldwide and to actively oppose injustice, war, militarism and any type of violence.
Rosemary Barnhart is a well tenured member of Olympia’s Women in Black. “I started in 2003, about the same time we invaded Iraq and Rachel Corrie was murdered in Gaza. I had known Rachel since she was a baby. Before she was even born, her parents and I were friends,” Rosemary explained.
“I was so frustrated. I just felt like ‘what can a citizen do?’ I couldn’t go to Gaza like Rachel did, I’m just here. It was around that time I came around the bend on 4th Avenue and I saw all these women carrying signs that said ‘peace’ and ‘justice,’ and all of them wore black,” she added. “I knew some of them and they were women I respected. I asked a few what they were doing, away from the vigil, and realized this is something I can do, and I can do it right here in Olympia.”
Rosemay described how empowering it can be for passersby to consistently see Women in Black, every Friday without fail. “Some people walk by us and we’ll get a smile or a thumbs up. Some people walk by and act like we’re not even there but, whether you acknowledge us or not, you see us. We’re here,” she said referencing her relationship with Rachel and how it inspired her to stand as witness for peace, but also stressed that each member is there for their own reasons.
“Each person that stands has a different personal reason. Iraq brought a lot of people down. Some had been to war and seen what war does to human beings or just realized how violence ravages people in communities and countries. We’ve had veterans come up to us and say thank you and tell us we need to be here,” Rosemary explained. I asked if she ever thought it was time to call it quits and she told me of a woman called Connie Picciotto. Connie is not affiliated with Women in Black but is well known in Washington, DC. She began standing outside the entrance to the White House when Regan took office with a peace sign and has stood there for 32 years since. “You just think about all the presidents, heads of state and representatives of other countries that all go through those gates and see her each time,” Rosemary said describing the subtle but impactful gesture.
Another anonymous member said, “Standing in silence sends a strong message. Seeing us makes some people uncomfortable. Discomfort often requires thought to be resolved. I stand with the hope that my fellow citizens will take a moment (or more) to think about why we are here.”
Since their inception in 2003, Women in Black have continued to be a consistent presence in Olympia every Friday, standing in heat, rain, cold and snow. The women stand strong, proud and true no matter the conditions, in great numbers and sometimes alone, for no reason other than to inspire peace in the hearts and minds of those around them. “We stand in mourning for peace,” reads one of Rosemary’s signs. The peace they seek has no nationality or flag – simply justice for the disenfranchised and peace to those who long for it.
The Women in Black silent vigil is held every Friday from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the intersection of 4th Avenue and Water Street in downtown Olympia. All are welcome to plant their feet in the name of peace.
To learn more about Olympia’s Women in Black, visit their website.
