Cort Ockfen – Greater Tacoma Peace Prize

GTPP at the 2026 Daffodil Parade

We were honored to represent the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize at the 2026 Pierce County Daffodil Parade, on April 4th, enjoying the opportunity to connect with our neighbors and share our mission of promoting peace within our region. This year was particularly special for us as we celebrated a unique connection to the festival’s history: two past Daffodil Princesses are closely tied to the GTPP. Among them is our current Laureate, Carol C Mitchell, who joined us on the route and kept the tradition going, delighting the crowds with her “perfect wave.”

Our participation honors a tradition that has been a cornerstone of South Puget Sound for 93 years. Since its inception in 1934, the Daffodil Parade has grown from a celebration of local agriculture into a “Grand Floral” event that unites Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting in a single day of community pride. It was a privilege to be part of the festivities once again!

Photos from Carol Mitchell’s 2025 Trip to Norway

We are honored to present an exclusive visual narrative documenting the incredible experience of Carol Mitchell and board member Tom Heavy during their time at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies.

We invite you to explore this gallery, which highlights not only the solemnity of the peace mission but also the spirited cultural connections and shared hope that defined their visit.

Experience the legacy of peace through their eyes and celebrate the moments that continue to inspire our collective work. Nominate someone for 2026!

Photos courtesy of Ayana J. Boyd.

: At the Nobel Peace Center, Tom and Carol with Executive Director Kjersti Fløgstad.

: A statue of Alfred Nobel stands outside the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo

: The façade of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

: Carol and Tom outside the Nobel Peace Center.

: A ferry docked along the waterfront at Aker Brygge in Oslo’s city center.

: A view of Lillehammer.

: Carol, Tom, and Steinar Bryn at Lillehammer Olympiapark, site of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

: Carol meets with Nina Græger, Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, at PRIO.

: Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held each year.

: Carol in discussion with Carl Emil Vogt and Steinar Ims at the Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies.

: Carol in the evening light in Lillehammer.

: The Nobel Committee meeting room at the Norwegian Nobel Institute, where the Peace Prize laureate is chosen.

: Carol beside a portrait of Alfred Nobel in the Nobel Committee meeting room.

: Shelves of books at the Nansen Academy.

: Carol in the library at the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer.

: The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall.

: Carol touring the Nobel Peace Center with Julius Grasaasen.

: The Peace Bench outside the Nobel Peace Center.

: In front of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo.

: The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo.

: Carol in the library at the Nansen Academy.

: The exterior of the Nobel Peace Center.

: Ferries lining the harbor at Aker Brygge.

: Kjersti Fløgstad, Executive Director of the Nobel Peace Center.

: Tom and Carol with Executive Director, Kjersti Fløgstad, at the Nobel Peace Center.

: Carol at the Nobel Peace Center’s Alfred Nobel exhibition with Lisa Cooper and Tom Heavey.

: Carol and Tom in conversation at the home of Steinar Bryn.

: Carol with Steinar Bryn in Lillehammer.

: Carol with Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

: Carol with Steinar Bryn in Lillehammer.

: Exterior of the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo.

: Exterior of the Nansen Academy in Lillehammer.

: Carol and Lisa Cooper over lunch in Oslo.

: Carol and Tom meeting with Torstein Dale-Åkerlund, Henry Allen (not pictured), Ane Louise Rud, and a student at Oslo New University College.

Learn more about Carol Mitchell.

Nominate someone for the 2026 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize!

2026 Laureate Nomination season is open!

It’s that time of the year! Starting now and ending March 31, 2026, our nomination form for the ’26 GTPP Laureate is NOW OPEN. Nominate now!

Article on Willie Stewart in South Sound Magazine

“Four Pierce County nonprofits are joining forces this month to honor a milestone: the 90th birthday of veteran and community leader Willie C. Stewart, Sr., who made history as Tacoma’s first African-American principal.”

Read the entire article on South Sound Magazine

Photo from South Sound Magazine.

Reflections on the 2025 Laureate Banquet Honoring Carol C. Mitchell

What a tremendous honor it was to share the GTPP Laureate Banquet with all of you. Your presence made the evening a resounding success, and we’re so glad you were able to join in the fun, the fellowship, and even the dancing you see reflected in the photos! The pinnacle of the night was the recognition of Carol C. Mitchell and her recognition. The meaningful importance of her address, specifically her powerful conviction that “world peace begins in the home,” has given the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize a profound and deeply personal theme for the year ahead. We thank Carol for her vision and you all for helping us commit to making her words a reality.

GTPP Laureate Banquet Tickets Now Available

Find information of this year’s Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate Banquet here: Link.

Carol C. Mitchell, our 2025 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate

The Tacoma Peace Prize is honored to announce Carol C. Mitchell as the 2025 Laureate. Mitchell, an attorney and the founder of the Institute for Black Justice (IBJ), has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fostering peace through the pursuit of social justice, the defense of civil and human rights, and the advancement of racial equity.

The selection committee was particularly impressed by Mitchell’s dedication to addressing systemic inequality, especially as it impacts children, youth and families. The IBJ, founded by Mitchell in 2020, tackles critical issues such as the disproportionate involvement of Black youth in the criminal justice system, the negative effects of public benefits and housing policies on families surviving poverty, and the need for a “keeping families together” approach to child welfare. Her work provides a powerful example of how legal expertise can be used to build a more equitable society.

Mitchell’s commitment extends beyond national borders. Her engagement in Ghana, where she supports children and families in their educational pursuits, showcases her understanding of the interconnectedness of global communities and the importance of promoting peace through education and cultural exchange.

Her strong family values and connections are an integral part of Mitchell’s life and work. Raised in a large family of nine children, with five boys and four girls, she learned the importance of community, support, and advocacy from an early age. These values continue to manifest in her life, notably in her dedication to her grandchildren, demonstrating an emphasis on intergenerational peace-building and the importance of nurturing the next generation.

A cornerstone of Mitchell’s work is the Institute for Black Justice, which carries out its mission through impactful programs. The CHIMES Family Advocacy Program provides crucial support and advocacy for families navigating the complexities of the child welfare system. Additionally, the Unlocking Justice program, which includes Project Gideon, seeks to remedy the long-term disproportionate impacts of civil and criminal law on families of color. These programs exemplify Mitchell’s and the IBJ’s comprehensive approach to achieving justice and fostering peace within the community.

As nominator Maralise Hood Quan stated, “A strong sense of justice guides how Carol invests her time and love for other people… Without justice, there can be no peace. Carol peace-creates and peace-builds through insisting on and pursuing justice.” This statement encapsulates the spirit of Mitchell’s work and its alignment with the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize’s mission.

The Tacoma Peace Prize recognizes Carol C. Mitchell for her impactful work, her holistic approach to peace-building, and her unwavering advocacy for a more just world. Her leadership, vision, and tireless efforts make her a most deserving recipient of this honor.

Photos from Diane Powers’ 2024 Trip to Norway

We’re thrilled to unveil a captivating gallery showcasing the extraordinary journey of Diane Powers and board member Tom Heavy to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Through their lens, these photographs capture the profound atmosphere, the moments of quiet reflection, and the vibrant celebrations that marked this historic event. From the solemnity of the award presentation to the joyous cultural exchanges, this collection offers a unique and intimate glimpse into a truly remarkable experience. Join us in celebrating the power of peace and the artistry that immortalizes its significance.