WILPF Remembers Peace Activist and Educator Riad Hamad

WILPF Remembers Peace Activist and Educator Riad Hamad

Riad Hamad, longtime peace activist and educator, died tragically April 14, 2008. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, he called Austin, Texas, home since 1970. A lifelong scholar, Riad received the first of numerous degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a PhD in Educational Technology. He was a computer technology teacher at Clint Small Middle School. He was a selfless individual who focused on helping students realize their potential. He was also a champion of human rights and worked tirelessly for peace and justice. He created the Palestine Children's Welfare Fund to aid Palestinian children, women and families in need. He raised millions of dollars for schools, hospitals and charitable organizations in Palestine. He also endured years of FBI surveillance and harassment from some individuals and groups.

US WILPF became acquainted with Riad in 2005 at the time that we initiated our national campaign, "Women Challenge US Policy: Building Peace on Justice in the Middle East." We had contacted him because we wanted to sell peace dove pins made in Palestine to raise money to support the campaign and, even more than that, to promote our hope that we will realize peace and justice for all the citizens of Palestine and Israel. Riad gave us a fair price and, upon learning more about our work, gave us an additional generous quantity of pins at no charge. We continue to sell his olive wood broaches and mother of pearl lapel pins on our website.

We were shocked and saddened to learn of Riad's death and extend to his family and many friends our sincere sympathy. He was an outstanding, noble, and generous man -- he died tragically and much too soon. We mourn the loss of his life.

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