CODEPINK

This woman-centered activist organization promotes peace and social justice. The group was founded in the United States by longtime activists including Media Benjamin, Jodie Evans, Diane Wilson, and Starhawk on November 17, 2002, in response to the Bush administration's policies toward Iraq. Combining humorous, performance-based activism that relies heavily on traditional feminine symbols-specifically [Page 306]the color pink and emphasis on women's mothering and caretaking roles-with astute Internet and media savvy, CODEPINK has emerged as a leader in the contemporary peace movement.

Although it currently targets politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties, the group's initial aim was to stop the Bush administration from going to war in Iraq. In subsequent years, however, it has expanded its political agenda to include other social justice issues including, for example, electoral fraud and Hurricane Katrina. Membership has also expanded dramatically since the organization's inception. What began as a group of approximately 100 women in Washington, D.C., has grown to include over 300 autonomous local and campus chapters worldwide. In addition, approximately 200,000 individuals receive weekly e-mail updates about CODEPINK activities; the group uses the Internet as a primary communication, networking, and recruitment tool.

As its name indicates, the color pink is central to CODEPINK. Members wear bright pink clothing and accessories and bring pink signs to protests and other events. The color is also emphasized throughout the organization's Website and print materials. Use of this particular color enables members to draw attention to their femininity and make themselves easily visible at protests, demonstrations, and other events. Adopting the color pink has also been a way for the group to poke fun at the color-coded terrorism alert system that was implemented in the wake of the September 11 tragedy. CODEPINK contends that while the terrorist alert system served to instill fear in American citizens, their use of the color pink calls upon women and men throughout the world to promote and demand peace.

CODEPINK utilizes a variety of protest methods and has garnered considerable media attention. They are perhaps best known for their use of pink lingerie (aka “pink slips”) to symbolically “fire” elected officials. Although protests are planned in advance, group members encourage observers to participate. The organization has collaborated with numerous social justice organizations both in the United States and internationally, including those that promote peace (such as United for Peace and Action) as well as those that focus on gender-related issues (including the National Organization for Women). In 2009, CODEPINK was named a Most Valuable Progressive (MVP) organization by The Nation.