About us

Welcome!

We are the Arkansas chapter of WAND Inc. (Women’s Action for New Directions) that was founded in the 1970s  by Dr. Helen Caldicott as Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament to educate people about the growing threat of a nuclear holocaust.  When the Cold War ended the name was changed and WAND concentrated on redirecting excessive military spending to the things that give us real security such as education, health care, environmental protection and homeland security.

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Empowering Women to Act Politically

• Women have had the vote since 1920, but as of 2003 only 2% of all U.S. Senators and Representatives ever elected in the history of Congress have been women.
• Women start the majority of new businesses
• Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy
• Women make about 80% of consumer decisions
• Women are the single largest group of health care consumers
• Women make the health care decisions in 3 out of 4 U.S. households
• Women are the primary caregivers in American society
• Women are the majority of voters
• Women are more than half of the population of the world

So Why Aren't Women Making at Least Half of the Decisions?

"We don't need women to lead simply because they are women, but because we are over half the population and offer incredible resources and life experiences. We are the oldest democracy in the world and should have women leading at the highest levels." —Susan Shaer, WAND Executive Director

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OUR VALUES

As members of WAND, we value the voices and leadership of women seeking peace, justice and security through informed participation in the democratic process.

We are women of all ages, races and creeds, with voices that are fresh and eager as well as seasoned and knowing, working in communities across the nation, seeking a world that is peaceful and just.

We know that women’s voices and leadership are key to effective, wise government. We believe knowledge requires action. We believe that by engaging in the governing process we can create a world that decides in favor of peace, equality and respect. We believe that listening to all people, across every line that keeps us apart, is an essential act with the power to transform.

We believe in the proactive spirit that moves us to work together to meet the needs of individuals, communities and the environment. We also believe that government must meet the needs of those who cannot care for themselves, for community endeavors that require public investment, and for a communal response to care for the environment.

We are women who value ourselves and each other. We trust our collective wisdom to act in ways, both personal and political, that move our nation from war to peace, from want to wholeness, and from fear to clear-eyed, informed action.

We are Women’s Action For New Directions.