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Peace Pilgrim (July 18, 1908 – July 7, 1981) born Mildred Lisette Norman, was an American pacifist, vegetarian, and peace activist. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in one season.^[1] Starting on January 1, 1953 in Pasadena, California, Norman walked across the United States for 28 years.

A transcript of a 1964 conversation with Peace Pilgrim from a broadcast on KPFK radio in Los Angeles, California was published as "Steps Toward Inner Peace". In that year, she completed 25,000 miles on foot for peace, after which she stopped counting miles. Peace Pilgrim was of English, Irish, German and African American descent.

Peace's Pilgrim's only possessions were the clothes on her back and the few items she carried in the pockets of her blue tunic which read "PEACE PILGRIM" on the front and "25,000 MILES ON FOOT FOR PEACE" on the back. She had no organizational backing, carried no money, and would not even ask for food or shelter. When she began her pilgrimage she had taken a vow to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." For 28 years, all her needs were met. "Aren't people good," she would often say. She spoke to all who would listen about the entire peace picture; peace among nations, peace among groups, and the very important "inner peace" because she believed that was where peace began.

Expressing her ideas about peace, she referred to herself only as "Peace Pilgrim." Her pilgrimage spanned almost three decades beginning on Jan. 1, 1953 in Pasadena, California. The Korean War was in progress at that time. She continued walking for 28 years, spanning the American involvement in the Vietnam War and beyond. Peace Pilgrim was a frequent speaker at churches, universities, and local and national radio and television. In the course of her 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. She died in an automobile accident on July 7, 1981 while being driven to a speaking engagement near Knox, Indiana. At the time of her death, she was crossing the United States for the seventh time. She was progressive on her views on gay and lesbian issues. She was very pro gay rights. She was a strict ethical vegetarian and tried to be a vegan as much as possible.

Quotes

Peace Pilgrim's message: "This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."
Peace Pilgrim's vow: "I shall remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace; walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."
We who work for peace must not falter. We must continue to pray for peace and to act for peace in whatever way we can, we must continue to speak for peace and to live the way of peace; to inspire others, we must continue to think of peace and to know that peace is possible.
Spiritual truth should never be sold; it need never be bought.

Notes

^ 2,000 mi (3,219 km)

References

Cousineau, Phil (2000), The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker's Guide to Making Travel Sacred, Red Wheel, ISBN 1573245097 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help).
Pilgrim, Peace (1992), Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words, Ocean Tree Books, ISBN 0943734290.
Reichenberg-Ullman, Judyth (2001), Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment, Ocean Tree Books, ISBN 1573245070 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help).

External links

Peace Pilgrim website

[1] 2,000 mi (3,219 km)

[1]

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 '''Peace Pilgrim''' ([[July 18]], [[1908]] &ndash; [[July 7]], [[1981]]) born '''Mildred Lisette Norman''', was an American [[pacifism|pacifist]], [[vegetarian]], and [[peace activist]]. In 1952, she became the first woman to walk the entire length of the [[Appalachian Trail]] in one season.<ref>{{convert|2000|mi|km|0|lk=on|sp=us|abbr=on}}</ref> Starting on [[January 1]], [[1953]] in [[Pasadena, California]], Norman walked across the [[United States]] for 28 years.
-A transcript of a 1964 conversation with Peace Pilgrim from a broadcast on [[KPFK]] radio in [[Los Angeles, California]] was published as "[[s:Steps Toward Inner Peace|Steps Toward Inner Peace]]".  In that year, she completed 25,000 miles on foot for peace, after which she stopped counting miles.
+A transcript of a 1964 conversation with Peace Pilgrim from a broadcast on [[KPFK]] radio in [[Los Angeles, California]] was published as "[[s:Steps Toward Inner Peace|Steps Toward Inner Peace]]".  In that year, she completed 25,000 miles on foot for peace, after which she stopped counting miles.  Peace Pilgrim was of English, Irish, German and African American descent.
 Peace's Pilgrim's only possessions were the clothes on her back and the few items she carried in the pockets of her blue tunic which read "PEACE PILGRIM" on the front and "25,000 MILES ON FOOT FOR PEACE" on the back. She had no organizational backing, carried no money, and would not even ask for food or shelter.  When she began her pilgrimage she had taken a vow to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food."  For 28 years, all her needs were met. "Aren't people good," she would often say. She spoke to all who would listen about the entire peace picture; peace among nations, peace among groups, and the very important "[[inner peace]]" because she believed that was where peace began.
-Expressing her ideas about [[peace]], she referred to herself only as "Peace Pilgrim."  Her pilgrimage spanned almost three decades beginning on Jan. 1, 1953 in Pasadena, California. The [[Korean War]] was in progress at that time.  She continued walking for 28 years, spanning the American involvement in the [[Vietnam War]] and beyond. Peace Pilgrim was a frequent speaker at churches, universities, and local and national radio and television. In the course of her 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. She died in an automobile accident on July 7, 1981 while being driven to a speaking engagement near [[Knox, Indiana]]. At the time of her death, she was crossing the United States for the seventh time.
+Expressing her ideas about [[peace]], she referred to herself only as "Peace Pilgrim."  Her pilgrimage spanned almost three decades beginning on Jan. 1, 1953 in Pasadena, California. The [[Korean War]] was in progress at that time.  She continued walking for 28 years, spanning the American involvement in the [[Vietnam War]] and beyond. Peace Pilgrim was a frequent speaker at churches, universities, and local and national radio and television. In the course of her 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. She died in an automobile accident on July 7, 1981 while being driven to a speaking engagement near [[Knox, Indiana]]. At the time of her death, she was crossing the United States for the seventh time.  She was progressive on her views on gay and lesbian issues. She was very pro gay rights. She was a strict ethical vegetarian and tried to be a vegan as much as possible.
 ==Quotes==
 *'''Peace Pilgrim's message''': ''"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love."''