Greetings friends! I’m Judy Wicks, activist, author, and retired entrepreneur, working for peace, equality, and the well-being of all species.

My life-long work has focused on building just and restorative regional economies as an alternative to extractive, profit-driven corporate globalization. Local economies lower the carbons of long distance shipping, create greater equality through decentralized ownership, lower dependance on vulnerable global supply chains, and prepare future generations to survive climate chaos by producing basic needs as close to home as possible.

It is also the case that those in localized economies are likely to protect and restore their natural environment, while globalized corporations are destroying natural environments around the globe and contributing disproportionally to climate change. Furthermore, localists are unlikely to participate in large scale warfare, unlike globalized economies competing for natural resources, cheap labor and new markets for continual growth.

Now retired from business and organizational work, I am focused on building a sustainable, solar-run 2-acre homestead in Philadelphia, where my daughter and I have turned a lawn into a meadow, orchard and vegetable garden. We have also created an outdoor venue where we hold educational events, progressive political rallies, and community celebrations of up to 250 people. Organizing these events has become my primary contribution to building the world I want to live in.

Currently, my activism is aimed at a ceasefire in Gaza and Iran, self-determination for Palestinians, and defending our democracy and communities of color from fascism.

Gaza On My Mind

By Judy Wicks

Talking about Gaza can be scary. I have expressed my horror about the savage Hamas attack on Israelis, and the heartbreaking plight of the hostages, but when I criticize Israeli policies and the bombing of Gaza, some of my Jewish friends have called me antisemitic. This is hurtful. To say this is a controversial subject is an understatement. I am not a scholar or historian. I am not Muslim or Jewish. So why do I feel compelled to discuss this? Continue reading