Who are the San Luis Obispo Mothers for Peace?

The San Luis Mothers for Peace came together in 1969. A young mother had written a letter to the editor of the local newspaper asking that people who shared her sadness and frustration at the needless loss of life in the Vietnam War join her in searching out ways to act effectively as a group. The shared values and compelling need to act that originally brought the group together have continued to characterize the Mothers for Peace.

The group is a non-profit organization (501c3). Its members include mothers, grandmothers, and non-parents. Its membership is predominantly, but not exclusively, women. The organization’s concerns include the dangers of nuclear power, weapons, and waste on national and global levels. Additionally, the Mothers for Peace cares about peace, social justice, and a safe environment. The group takes on all of these issues, working to make the world safer and more humane for generations to come.

Since 1973, the Mothers for Peace has focused much of its attention on the local dangers involving Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. It has been the legal intervenor for over three decades of controversy concerning the construction, licensing, and operation of the Diablo Canyon facility. Specifically, it has been involved in litigation and public hearings involving the following issues:

• initial and subsequent licenses
• seismic safety
• County Emergency Response Plan
• high level radioactive waste storage
• rate structure and deregulation
• degradation of coastal waters
• plant security

MEET THE BOARD MEMBERS

Elaine Holder, President

Elaine moved to San Luis Obispo in 1979 and found the Mothers for Peace in 1981. She holds a Ph. D in psychology and was a professor at Cal Poly until her retirement. Her interests include her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, genealogy, and reading.

Jane Swanson, Spokesperson

Jane has been an active member of the Mothers for Peace since the group formed in 1969. "This is an amazing all-volunteer, local group", Jane explains. "Only because we live in proximity to the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant do we have the legal standing to challenge the federal regulator - the NRC. And only because we are such a determined group with a highly-skilled attorney do we have the nerve to drag the NRC into federal court - and win! Our 2006 victory in the Ninth Circuit of the U.S. Court of appeals opened doors for activist groups living near the other 103 nuclear reactors. We hope to achieve a second favorable ruling in 2010."

Jane and her husband Clif have two adult children and seven grandchildren. Jane is a retired elementary school teacher, and plays French horn with several local orchestras.

Liz Apfelberg, Treasurer

Elizabeth Apfelberg joined Mothers for Peace in 1971 when she moved to San Luis Obispo with her husband and children. A former High School science and math teacher, she is knowledgeable about the science of global warming and what can be done to prevent the worst of climate change.

Elizabeth was an original intervenor in the licensing procedures opposing the operating license of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. She acted as lay attorney before the Atomic Energy Commission (now Nuclear Regulatory Commission) from 1973-1976.

Jill ZamEk, Secretary and Oversight Treasury Officer

Jill teaches at a local elementary school. She has lived in San Luis Obispo County since 1976 and joined the Mothers for Peace in 1982. She appreciates working with like-minded people who are dedicated to improving the health of our planet and the conditions of its living beings.

Jill's husband and two adult children give her great joy. She also enjoys hiking, wildlife, gardening, literature, art, and traveling.

Linda Seeley, Vice-President

Linda moved to San Luis Obispo in 1982, feeling certain that Diablo Canyon would never go on line. After all, they had just discovered that the control room had been built backwards! Little did she suspect that the NRC and the nuclear industry were working hand-in-glove: she had thought the NRC was there to "regulate!" Linda joined Mothers soon after her arrival on the Central Coast. Working as a community midwife for over 20 years, her active involvement in the Mothers was put on hold until her retirement. Linda also serves on the Executive Committee of the Santa Lucia Sierra Club and is involved in the local Transition Town movement. She is a permaculture practitioner and an advanced facilitator of Joanna Macy's "Work that Reconnects." Her main focus is on the health and well-being of her three grandsons and all the children of the future.

Nancy Norwood, Facilitator

Nancy Norwood has been a member of Mothers for Peace since moving to San Luis Obispo in 1977. "Having values in common goes a long way towards establishing friendships within the organization. No matter what people go through there is never any feeling of guilt for not being active. I am constantly amazed and thankful to be in a group with such honorable and bright women. A long-term group that works together harmoniously is a wonderful find."

Nancy and her husband, Tom, are retired - she from Social Work with Developmentally Disabled adults and Tom from being the owner of a local bookstore and from serving as an ordained minister in the capacity of interim for several congregations. They have two adult sons.

June Cochran, Grants and Documents