Author: Cort Ockfen

Upcoming Film Screenings of Interest

Film #1 – The Scandinavian Cultural Center Council at PLU presents the U.S. premiere screening of the award-winning Norwegian documentary ‘Being Ola’. (1 hour, 15 minutes – in Norwegian, with English sub-titles)
 
Sunday, September 29, 3:00 PM
In the Scandinavian Cultural Center at PLU (no admission fee) – reception following
Meet the Director! Ragnhild Nøst Bergem will be here from Norway to introduce the film!
 
“Being Ola” is an endearing portrait of an exceptional young man who puts his heart into striving for equality, acceptance, and independence. Ola is a 30-year-old man who lives in a small village in Norway with a very diverse group of people. Ola generally enjoys his life and is an engaged, witty, and sincere individual. He has a mild intellectual disability, and he reflects very openly about his condition. When Ola loses an important aspect of his life, he reflects on his existence and considers how he can become more self-reliant. It’s an impactful film that helps bridge the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them’, and it explores the importance of freedom of speech, specifically for individuals with disabilities. 
 
Here’s a link to the trailer for “Being Ola”.
 
Film #2 – “Stay”, a second film by the same filmmaker, will be shown on Tuesday, October 1, at 7:30 PM. It is a warm and highly respected documentary where we meet three adults whose lives are severely changed due to their dementia disease, and they are completely dependent on their surroundings, and their comprehension of the situation. In this life-giving movie the director plows deeply into the sad loss, as well as detecting moments of light and humor. 
 
Here’s a link to the trailer.

Explore the spiritual foundations of Dag Hammarskjöld

The Wild Hope Center for Vocation Announces a Public Presentation: 

Servant of Peace

Dag Hammarskjöld

The spiritual foundations of a political leader’s commitment to peacemaking.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024 
7:00 pm 

Pacific Lutheran University, Scandinavian Cultural Center located in Anderson University Center.

In this presentation, Professor Emeritus Donovan Johnson from South Puget Sound College will  explore the spiritual foundations of Dag Hammarskjöld’s secular vocation to peacemaking as the  Secretary General of the United Nations. 

Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the presentation. 

For more information: plu.edu/lectures

We offer our thanks to the Edgar and Betty Larson Endowed Fund for generous support of this presentation.

Diane Powers is our 2024 GTPP Laureate

In celebration of and with a firm belief that peace starts when we meet our community’s needs, the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize is proud to announce Diane Powers as the 2024 Laureate. Throughout her lengthy career, Diane Powers remained dedicated to recognizing, supporting, and advocating for the needs of our houseless neighbors, vulnerable youth, and communities of color. From her role as a United Nations World Conference Delegate Against Racism, her work at Pierce County connections and the Tacoma Office of Equity and Human Rights, to her post-retirement role as the Board President of Associated Ministries, Diane remains steadfast in her commitment to fostering peace in our community.

The Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Board recognizes the demand for work that addresses the ongoing housing crisis in our own backyard. Diane’s work addressing the needs of one of the most vulnerable houseless populations — our youth — is a testament to her unyielding commitment to Tacoma and its future. Her ongoing work and engagement at the international, county, and city levels have impressed the board and the community.

Lucas Smiraldo, who nominated Diane Powers for the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize, said:

“Diane Powers is a force for peace and racial justice in Tacoma government [and] spiritual communities, with her concern for vulnerable youth continuing to drive her advocacy.”

As we face the ongoing ramifications of a global pandemic, the ever-increasing cost of living, and systemic barriers to meeting basic needs, Diane Powers’ commitment to vulnerable youth and racial equity reminds us that individuals can and do cause change. 

2023 GTPP Laureate Banquet

On behalf of the GTPP Board of Directors, we wish to thank you one and all who participated in and supported the 2023 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate Banquet for Maralise Hood-Quan.  She is an amazing recipient for us and the evening was just fantastic!  The silent auction was fabulous and the musical entertainment, Kareen Kandi, was exceptional.  We wanted to share a few candid photos from the evening and hope you enjoy them.  If you are inspired, please send us your email and you will be notified of upcoming Peace in Action projects as well as our 2024 Nomination period and future Laureate Banquet.  Again, our thanks to each of you! 
 

Click on the photos below to view the full-size images.

If you want a high resolution version of any of the photos above, email cort@tacomapeaceprize.org and we’ll email them to you.

2011 Laurate, Dr. Donald Mott, has died

2011 Laurate, Dr. Donald Mott, has died
 
It is with deep sadness that we report on the February 16, 2023, passing of our friend, colleague and 2011 GTPP Laureate, Dr. Donald Mott. 
 
In 2002, Dr. Mott, a retired pediatrician and orthopedic surgeon, was instrumental in the founding of China Partners Network. CPN is a group of physicians, therapists, and professionals working in under-served regions of China to meet the medical needs of children with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders. Dr. Mott and others donate their talents, skills, and time to work with and to provide training to professionals in China, improving the quality of life for children and their communities.

Since its founding, members of the network, in collaboration with the Amity Foundation of Nanjing, China, have traveled to China many times to conduct workshops and courses for orphanage workers, therapy students, medical students, physicians in rehabilitation medicine, traditional Chinese medicine physicians, and others. Thousands of children who live in under-served areas of China now have improved health because of Dr. Mott and his China Partners Network team.

Don was a compassionate healer, a devoted family man and a devout Christian who had a genuine relationship with the Lord.  Our sympathies are extended to his children, grandchildren, extended family and all who knew and loved him. His  intellect, medical expertise and tremendous dedication to make the world a better, kinder and more understanding place will be deeply missed.  His legacy lives on in CPN and all the lives he has touched over the years.

A link to Don’s obituary is provided below:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/donald-mott-obituary?id=49927599

When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, the world will know Peace. (Jimi Hendrix)

Dr. Donald Mott