ELLEN THOMAS

Current occupation: Full-time, strictly volunteer, anti-nuclear, peace & justice activist, since 1984. In 1990 co-founded Proposition One Committee, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping citizens vote for (or against) global nuclear disarmament and conversion of the war machine to provide for human needs. The first major success was DC Initiative 37, which won on September 14, 1993. This was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by DC's Congresswoman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007 as the "Nuclear Disarmament and Economic Conversion Act."

Traveled to Japan as guest of Gensuikyo ("Council Against A&H Bombs") in November 1994 and August 2001, to speak to thousands about the good news for antinuclear groups worldwide.

Attended, filmed, and reported on the November, 1995 World Court hearings on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons, The Hague, Netherlands. Actively promotes Abolition 2000 Network. Editor of NucNews. Educating self and others about Depleted Uranium.

Has helped maintain, define, and defend the Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil outside the White House since 1984 - educating the public about nuclear weapons, challenging people to change the thinking that's leading us toward annihilation. During Reagan and Bush years this led to a great deal of time in court, both as (criminal misdemeanor) defendant and (Constitutional civil claim) plaintiff. Spent three months in federal and DC prisons in 1988 for wrapping in a blanket in 32 degree weather while tending her signs and literature ("camping"); returned immediately upon release to her vigil and has not been prosecuted since. Currently assisting husband, Wm. Thomas, to keep Secret Service, Park Police, and Department of Interior lawyers from further eroding First Amendment rights in Lafayette Park.

With Thomas, co-produced two newspapers ("DC Home News," 1985, and "Peace Release," 1987-1995) and two videos ("The Ground War At Home" -- an expose of police misconduct outside the White House during the Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- and "Proposition One: Reinventing Government," 1994).

Wrote "Peace Park" (a play about the history of Lafayette Square), 1988. Donated these and several volumes of news articles, legal briefs, and official letters to Decatur House Museum on Lafayette Square in June, 1994.

Has worked, written and published on behalf of homeless people through the Homeless Advisory Council (1984-1987) and the Good Neighbors Project (1988-1990). Has painted numerous signs since the first large one in 1984.

Born January 24, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York; educated in California; raised two children in North Carolina, Puerto Rico, California, and Minnesota. Education: ongoing. Writer, photographer, free-lance journalist, formerly paralegal, administrator. Home is "where I am" -- office is provided by friends.