PLF Origins and History
Peace HEROISM
Ideals that create a less violent and more just world.
peacebuilder walk & village, dayton, oh
Organized in 2018 in partnership with local Rotary Clubs and nonprofits.
casa de peacebuilder, tubac, az
Peace Literacy towers tall in its capacity to help build a world where all can better thrive. The vision for the PLF and Casa de Peacebuilder is “a world where nonviolence is a way of life.” Will you join us?
Dr. Jose Lopez, Co-Trail leader, and Patsy Ferrell, watch on as trail construction moves forward in March, 2021.
In 2014, Jerry Leggett, while serving as Executive Director of the Dayton International Peace Museum, conceive of and organized the nation’s first Peace Heroes Walk in Dayton, OH which raised $70,000 to support local peace literacy programs such as the Teens Inventing Peaceful Solutions program (TIPS) at the museum. This event would become a signature way for communities to express their commitment to raising up a new generation of peace leaders that embody Peace Hero ideals.
In 2015, PLF officially formed an IRS-approved 501 (c) (3) nonprofit and expanded its signature events to Phoenix, AZ and Thousand Oaks, CA. Original founders were Jerry Leggett, Patsy Ferrell, Lonnie Franks and Deb Hogshead.
In 2016-2017, in partnership with local and district Rotary Clubs, PLF organized walks and the Hub Peacebuilder Tour which raised funds to support the Rotarian Action Group for Peace based in Portland, OR and offered Peace Literacy live music presentations /performances by founder, Jerry Leggett along the West coast; also organized first Peacebuilders Walk & Village.
In 2018, PLF enlisted 300 participants in its first Peacebuilder Experience (PbX) at the Dayton Metro Library in collaboration with the City of Dayton, Wright State University Theater Department and International Cities of Peace. It also introduced the PLF Film Festival at several local venues featuring the “Locked in Box” documentary by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
In 2018, PLF National Presenting Artist, Patsy Ferrell and her Women Are Human Art Project were featured in several exhibits including
In 2019 its primary founders, Jerry Leggett and Patsy Ferrell relocated to Tubac, Arizona to establish Casa de Peacebuilder, a program of PLF. Since inception, PLF’s Peace Hero events have raised more than $250,000 in six states to support local peace literacy initiatives.
In 2020, PLF raised $24,000 in an online campaign to help establish the first-in-the-nation Peace Heroes Meditative Trail in Dayton, OH and announced the establishment of the Casa de Peacebuilder Founders Circle to enlist a group of core supporters to help PLF move forward with its vital programs.
In February of 2021, the Miami Valley Peace Heroes Trail, year two was launched with a goal to raise $35,000 to support Peace Literacy initiatives in the Miami Valley. This collaboration with Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship serves as replicable model for how Peace Literacy can be supported at the community level.
In March of 2021, we launched a $100k “Peace Literacy for All” campaign in support of the Peace Literacy Institute and provided consulting for PLI in the establishment of its new board and federal nonprofit status. This campaign successfully raised more than $200k.
In November of 2021, we will announce a $50,000 to fund the Tubac Peace Park and Peace Heroes Storytrail at Casa de Peacebuilder.
IN 2022, the Peace Literacy Foundation will continue it focus on its Peace Heroes Storytrails Project. Peace Heroes Storytrails Project, lifts up the valor of everyday people whose quest is to build a safer, more healthy and just world.
Whether the trail is in a public park, a schoolyard or on a rural farm, your Storytrail can lift up missing stories in your community that will inspire a new generation toward living out Peace Hero ideals.
Our impact: Funds raised, years served, people impacted
$500k
Dollars Raised
Through peacebuilding events we have helped communities better thrive and gain greater visibility for future collaborations.
2018 Peacebuilder (PbX) event held at Dayton Metro Library attracted 300 participants. A collaboration with City of Dayton, Wright State Theater Dept. and International Cities of Peace.
7.0 years
Years Serving communities
In 2015 PLF began as a project of the Dayton International Peace Museum and in October 2016 chartered in the State of Ohio as a separate IRS-approved 501 (c) (3) nonprofit. We expanded to Tubac, Arizona and created Casa de Peacebuilder.
350k
people impacted
Through social media followers, community events and participation in the Rotary International Convention in 2017.