Rachel Pinney, the Silent Doctor
In August 1961, Rachel Pinney took the following vow: "I intend to maintain silence on every Wednesday until my country formally renounces Nuclear Weapons. This silence is to be maintained non-violently in the face of any provocation."
Since Pinney worked as a medical doctor, her vow created some awkwardness with the patients she saw on Wednesdays. She had to communicate with them by means of nodding her head, hand signals, and notes (writing prescriptions).
According to her obituary, she maintained the vow for almost 30 years. Of course, the UK still has nuclear weapons.
Her once-a-week protest reminds me of Mildred Ruth Gordon who fasted every other day to show support for draft resisters.
Since Pinney worked as a medical doctor, her vow created some awkwardness with the patients she saw on Wednesdays. She had to communicate with them by means of nodding her head, hand signals, and notes (writing prescriptions).
According to her obituary, she maintained the vow for almost 30 years. Of course, the UK still has nuclear weapons.
Her once-a-week protest reminds me of Mildred Ruth Gordon who fasted every other day to show support for draft resisters.
Daily Mirror - Aug 10, 1961
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Category: Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience | Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | 1960s