“Play for Peace sounds like a nice, light-hearted idea, but it’s actually in the serious business of changing lives and communities. With carefully thought-out programs, Play for Peace works to break down barriers and lay the groundwork for peace. That’s why I support Play for Peace.” - Janet McDonnell, Board Secretary
Here at Play For Peace, we have a strong network of members: an exhaustive group of trainers, mentors, facilitators, participants, administrators and more. All of them are crucial to our goal of making the world a kinder, more compassionate place. We thought our blogs would be a great opportunity for you to get to know some of our board members, and over the next little while, we’ll be showcasing their profiles: a little about them and their life with Play For Peace. Today we want to introduce you to Janet McDonnell, board secretary. Janet is an author and illustrator who has been working in children’s publishing for over 25 years. Having written over 20 educational books for children, as well as illustrated books, puzzles, games, and magazines, she is an accomplished writer and artist.
Naturally, she has an exceptional understanding of the power of play and its importance in the lives of both children and adults. Last week, we asked Janet some questions about her time with us. PFP: What is your role in Play for Peace, and how did you come to be involved with it? JM: I have been secretary on the board of Play for Peace for two years. I became involved with Play for Peace through my friendship with co-founder Michael Terrien. Michael appeared on "Worldview," a public radio show hosted by my husband, over ten years ago, as part of the Global Activism segment. PFP: Why do you feel Play for Peace is important? JM: The media is saturated with stories of divided communities and people in conflict. It's easy to forget our common humanity, but laughter and play can cross divides and create a path forward to peace. PFP: Can you share a memorable Play for Peace story with us? JM: Last spring we held a fundraising gala, our "Feast for Peace," and the attendees participated in the Play for Peace game, "Gotcha." It was great to see how quickly people of all ages and backgrounds began laughing with each other and making connections. A big thank you to Janet for taking the time to speak with us. We hope you enjoyed coming to know a bit about our board secretary. Stay tuned for more board member profiles!
