What is the Ribbon International?

The Ribbon is made up of countless panels of cloth each showing peoples desire for disarmament, a healthy environment or for peace. The original theme of the Ribbon "What I cannot bear to think of as lost forever in a nuclear war." The concept originated with Justine Merritt in 1982 while living in Denver, CO. She requested friends and relatives to create their representations of cloth segments using sewing, painting or any other suitable medium. The panels measured three feet by one and a half feet with a tie on each corner so that they could easily be joined together. The idea spread rapidly through places of worship, schools and organizations. The first Ribbon events were held in the United States and Japan. They culminated on August 4, 1985 commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the nuclear bombing at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On that day eighteen miles of Ribbon panels were joined together in Wash., D.C. and in Hiroshima the A-Bomb Memorial Dome was encircled with Ribbons. Since then the Ribbon has become an ongoing project in countries around the world.

The Ribbon

The Ribbon

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit Gala

You are cordially invited to attend:

The Tenth Annual Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit Gala

at Science Museum Oklahoma (formerly Omniplex).


Enjoy colorful collaborations by thousands of students throughout the state of Oklahoma who are exploring diversity through the arts.


Science Museum Oklahoma

2100 N.E. 52nd Street, Oklahoma City, OK

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Program: 5:00 p.m. in the Eleanor Maurer Theatre


Exhibit will follow: One of the displays, “Ribbons of Tangible Hope,” is a three dimensional hanging art installation filled with banners created by students and other community members with messages of peace and hope. Information about this and all displays for the Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit will be posted.


Presentations will be made by State Superintendent Sandy Garrett and Children’s Theatre Director Lyn Adams for winning entries in the state wide Respect Diversity Art & Poetry Contest.

Teachers who register early will receive

Multicultural Professional Development Points.

Desserts by Starbucks and friends!

To be placed on the guest list and
to be admitted free of charge

R.S.V.P. 359-0369 or rdfrdf@cox.net


The Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit will be open from March 11 through May.

To learn about projects of the Respect Diversity Foundation visit: www.respectdiversity.org; write to: rdfrdf@cox.net or call: 405/359-0369.


Sponsored in part by Science Museum OK, Loves, MetroFamily Magazine, Oklahoma Natural Gas, The Grateful Bean, Christian Mohamed Goldberg, Walmart Stores, the Jewish Foundation, ICelebrateDiversity.com and the Respect Diversity Foundation.

Created for the United Nations Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non Violence for the Children of the World (2001 - 2010)