Athens Women in Black bring awareness to oppression, inequality through silent vigil

On Tuesday afternoons from 5-6 p.m., rain or shine, a group of Athens locals meet before the Arch to advocate for justice and peace and oppose war and other forms of violence.

They call themselves the Women in Black, and they are part of a global organization based in numerous countries, including South Africa, India, many areas of Europe, Israel, the U.S. and more.

Through this worldwide network, both women and men of all different races, religions and backgrounds focus on nonviolent and nonaggressive action as a means of bringing awareness to the bloodshed that comes from conflict. They do this by performing silent vigils while adorned in black, alluding to mourning.

The Athens vigil was founded in 2003 shortly after the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Local Athenian Ruth Podge lost her daughter, two granddaughters and her son-in-law when a plane crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, prompting her to request that a movement was begun to speak out against the violence and hatred in the world. Podge has since died from cancer, but 15 years after its founding, the vigil continues to stand in front of the Arch once a week.

The global Women in Black movement originated in Israel/Palestine in June 2001 in response to the occupation of Palestine. Upon the call to justice, other countries responded, with upward of 10,000 women becoming involved. However, the exact number is impossible to determine.

Today, the movement continues. The driving force behind many vigils are issues of oppression and inequality.

Beth Kelley Zorbanos has been involved with the Women in Black since February 2003 when the Athens vigil began and was close friends with Podge. Despite the time that has passed, Zorbanos still believes the movement is necessary.

“We continue to be here because there still needs to be a place where we go and publicly say to the world and anyone who goes by that we are standing for that idea of peace with justice and love being the most powerful source in the universe as opposed to this idea of hate,” Zorbanos said.

Standing before the Arch has both literal and symbolic meaning. Zorbanos has lived in the Athens area since the 1960s, and over the years, she has witnessed multiple protests that have occurred there. The vigil meets before the Arch not only because it’s the doorway between the city and the university, but also because it’s the symbol of UGA and can create the most compelling effect, Zorbanos said.

Richard Fyock, another Women in Black member since its founding, left the group temporarily following the election of former President Barack Obama but returned when he realized foreign policy hadn’t changed.

“I stand with these people [as a way] to give a lot of positive inspiration and to do good for the community,” Fyock said. “It allows us to live our lives as people who are trying to make a positive change in the world.”

However, not everyone has agreed with the Women in Black. Zorbanos said over 15 years, they have experienced numerous counter protesters and had people shout at them, say offensive things and make obscene gestures toward them.

“There’s just so much hate and fear right now, and groups against other groups, and when we stand here, we’re standing for the idea of not judging others and believing all the while that there is a more peaceful way to be in the world,” Zorbanos said.

While there have been fewer individuals or groups to advocate against them as time has gone on, it is partly the hatred that has been expressed to them through the counter protests that inspire them to move forward with their efforts and spread their message.

“What we really want people to know is that they are always welcome to join us if they believe what we believe in,” Zorbanos said. “We’ve had many people who will even come sit with us for five minutes, which we really appreciate.”