CODEPINK came to the face and space of the national leadership to protest the pre-emptive strike in Iraq. Medea Benjamin, Starhawk, Jodie Evans, Diane Wilson and approximately 100 other women kicked off this new women's initiative on November 17, 2002. They marched through the streets of Washington, DC and set up for a four month vigil in front of the White House. The name CODEPINK plays on the Bush Administration’s color-coded homeland security advisory system that signals terrorist threats. While Bush’s color coded alerts are based on fear, the CODEPINK alert is based on compassion and is a feisty call for women and men to “wage peace.”

Through March 8th, International Women’s Day, they held a daily, all-day peace vigil in front of the White House. The Women’s Peace Vigil inspired people from all walks of life, and from all over the country to stand for peace. Many organizations sponsored days: Greenpeace, WILPF, WAND, Public Citizen, NOW, Women for Women International, Neighbors for Peace and Justice, among others. On March 8th, this now growing movement celebrated women as global peacemakers with a week of activities, a rally and march to encircle the White House in pink. Over 10,000 people participated. Among them, Alice Walker, Maxine Hong Kingston, Jody Williams, Susan Griffen, Amy Goodman, Rachel Bagby and many others..

Since then, CODEPINK has become a worldwide network of women and men committed to working for peace and social justice. There are over 250 active local groups around the country and the world. Some groups have 10 participants, others have over 100. Each groups acts autonomously, and chooses significant campaigns and actions in their own communities, while using suggestions, action ideas and receiving support from the national team. Each group does its own dreaming, and scheming: some groups take over bridges while others hand out pink flowers with messages of peace attached to them.

CODEPINK national serves to connect the local roups with the international network of global peacemakers. By placing a contact email on their local website, local groups make themselves accessible to those in their area who would like to get involved. The national organization also supplies groups with a range of merchandise to increase visibility: pink scarves, buttons, bumper stickers, and tee-shirts. They also provide local groups with organizing tips, overarching national campaigns and initiatives in the weekly CODEPINK alerts that are sent out by email. Once a local group has started and they have contacted Rae Abileah, the locals coordinator, they will receive local coordinator alerts that help to refine and support various campaigns and strategies. By tapping into the network CODEPINKers coordinate our energies and efforts. More than 150,000 people currently receiving the weekly CODEPINK alert.

Besides grassroots organizing stateside, CODEPINK women have traveled to Iraq where they helped to establish the Occupation Watch Center. Co-founder Gael Murphy has been key to the development of the international coalition of organizations. The first all-women CODEPINK peace delegation went to Iraq in Februrary, 2003. We have since sent multiple delegations to Iraq, Jordan, Iran and Afghanistan to deliver humanitarian aid and make diplomatic and human connections. Please see our Past Actions section for more information on CODEPINK's travels.

And the story continues...