Founded in 1982 as Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament by Helen Caldicott in Cambridge, MA, WAND first focused on bringing women into the discussion about nuclear weapons. When the Cold War ended, we changed our name and broadened our mission to other issues affecting peace and security. Now known as Women’s Action for New Directions, WAND is a recognized United Nations NGO. Over the years, WAND developed a variety of successful programs. WAND currently consists of a 501- C3 WAND Education Fund; a 501-C4 WAND Inc. Action Center for members and chapters; WAND Political Action Committee; and the Women Legislator’s Lobby (WiLL) program.
Meryl has been associated to Dr. Helen Caldicott since the early 1980s. In 1981, Meryl narrated the documentary “Eight Minutes to Midnight” about Caldicott’s crusade against nuclear power, which received an 1981 Academy Award nomination. In June 1982, both attended the New York Rallye Against Nuclear Power. And in 1983, Meryl taped a television public service announcement for WAND to raise awarenes of their actions for Nuclear Disarmament in the wake of the ABC television film “The Day After”. In 1984, Meryl received the Helen Caldicott Leadership Award for her contribution to the cause.
