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

Sunday, March 18, 2012

No More Fukushimas Peace Walk


On March 8th, 2012, the Ribbon International attended the No More Fukushimas Peace Walk which descended from Zucotti Park up to the George Washington Bridge. It marks one year after the nuclear disaster at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Facility, in which tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate their homes, causing multiple cases of health problems throughout the region. The event also endorses the closing of the Indian Point Power Plant in Buchanan, NY.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

A Legacy and a Light



Dec. 1-3, 2011, "A Legacy and a Light," 70th Anniversary of Church Women United Conference held in Atlantic City, NJ (where their first conference was held). Display tables of Ribbons from Colorado, other photo - each state CWU President brought a Ribbon and joined them together. The Interfaith Prayer for Peace was read by Martha DeWarf during the opening ceremony. Over 500 women from all over the US attended the multi-faith conference.

64th Annual United Nations Department of Information Non-Governmental Organizations Conference


The Ribbon International exhibit table with youth volunteers and representatives at "The 64th Annual United Nations Department of Information Non-Governmental Organizations Conference." 3-5 September, 2011; Bonn, Germany.