Bloomfield Peace Activist Praised For ‘Living By The Logic Of Love’

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The life of a peace activist isn’t easy. But the possibility of creating a “more just” world for future generations – and making some good friends along the way – is a powerful call to action that Jane Califf has found irresistible.

Recently, the Bloomfield resident earned a “HerStory Award” from the Women's Federation for World Peace USA, a national organization that works to recognize and uplift women who are making a difference in their communities.

How does someone get hooked on the peace movement? For Califf, it happened when her mother took her as a teenager to “Ban the Bomb” rallies to stop the testing of nuclear weapons.

Califf eventually found a calling as an educator for more than 40 years, heading classrooms at the elementary and alternative high school levels. She’s also taught adult literacy programs at a prison, and worked as a professor in the Department of Urban Education at Rutgers University in Newark, where she ran the student teacher program.

This experience inspired a book a few years ago: “How to Teach Without Screaming, Inspiring Stories, Insights and Strategies to help You and Your Students Thrive.”

The Bloomfield resident didn’t lose her passion for activism while working in the classroom, however. She was active in the Teachers Committee for Peace in Vietnam, and has protested against other wars, including the “catastrophic” Israel-Palestine conflict (as a member of NJ Peace Action).

As she continued to protest against military conflicts, Califf also became active in other causes, such as anti-racism and the environment.

This latter issue has become a personal cause célèbre, she explained in her acceptance comments to the Women's Federation for World Peace:

“As the climate crisis became more and more in the news, I decided to 'think globally and act locally' and became secretary of a climate education and action group called 350NJ-Rockland, a local branch of national 350.org. I also joined with others in my town to create the 'Bloomfield Citizens Solar Campaign' and I have been a coordinator for the last eight years. Our goal has been to convince our town to transition away from getting its electricity from polluting fossil fuels, which are the main drivers of climate disruption, and toward cleaner renewable resources such as from the sun, which would not only save tax dollars, but would be doing our part toward creating a more sustainable and hopeful future for our youth. Finally, last fall, our town hired a company to put solar panels on two public parking lots. We will keep pushing for the goal of expanding this project to every other Bloomfield town and school public roof and parking lot deemed appropriate for solar.”

Califf advised that her lifestyle isn’t for the faint of heart.

In addition to attending countless rallies and meetings, writing a litany of articles and letters, and lobbying local lawmakers, Califf has also put her freedom on the line while taking part in non-violent civil disobedience – but only when all other avenues failed.

“I have been willing to take such risks because they can be helpful in getting more media attention to a cause,” she said.

Although it’s been a sometimes-bumpy ride, Califf said she’s found a joy in uniting with other like-minded people to “make a more just world possible.” Many of these people have become good friends, she noted.

And others have become allies.

As part of this year’s HerStory Awards, organizers praised Califf for her “trailblazing social activism, impactful work as an educator and your critical environmental advocacy, shaping a brighter and more sustainable future.”

“We honor you as a peace leader who lives by the logic of love,” the Women's Federation for World Peace wrote.

Califf was nominated for the award by Irmgard Baynes, treasurer of the Women's Federation for World Peace, who also lives in Bloomfield.

Califf plans to continue to fight for social justice. But in the meanwhile, it’s nice to be recognized for a life well-lived, she says.

“I am really glad that the Women's Federation for World Peace is promoting and honoring women whose life choices can inspire others to become agents of positive change,” Califf told Patch.

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