For over two decades, WNPJ has benefitted from the activism and service of Bill Christofferson He has served on the WNPJ Board and has been connected with many of our member groups, including Nukewatch, Veterans for Peace, WAVE, and more. (photo credit, Sue Ruggles) Bill's an author, too - writing a book: "Man from Clear Lake: Earth Day Founder Senator Gaylord Nelson".
This past year, Bill coordinated the sailing of the anti-nuke ship "The Golden Rule" into Wisconsin waters, spreading information about the hazards of nuclear waste and war-heads at each place she docked. He provided amazing organizing work, collaborating with others along the way - and then they spread the word through social media, TV and radio coverage, and written press stories. You can read more about this journey here.
Bill and Alfred Meyer, another past Board Chair of WNPJ, stand here on the dock beside The Golden Rule over Labor Day 2023. These two worked together on another campaign with WNPJ - called "Carbon Free- Nuclear Free" . One of Bill's strengths is his ability to reach out to other groups, partnering for a greater impact.
Short bio: Bill Christofferson is a former – he says “recovered” -- journalist and political consultant who has worked in state and local government , and a longtime peace activist. A Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, he is a member of Veterans For Peace and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.He was the first director of Nukewatch, the Progressive Foundation’s public education project on nuclear weapons and power, from 1980 to 1983. Two other related projects, Stop Project ELF, led by John Stauber, and the Radioactive Waste Project, run by Cassandra Dixon, operated out of the Nukewatch office.
Bill played a key role in passage of the first statewide nuclear freeze
referendum, which passed in Wisconsin in 1982 by a 3 to 1 margin. In 1983 a referendum opposing a nuclear waste repository in Wisconsin passed statewide by a 8 to 1 margin, and the city of Madison became a Nuclear Free Zone.
He is a former board member of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) and ex-board president of the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, which was founded by Veterans For Peace.
After retiring from political consulting, he joined WNPJ in 2007 and served as a board member and co-chair (with Chamomile Nusz) in 2008-09. During that time WNPJ conducted a Carbon Free Nuclear Free campaign and played a leading role in preventing the repeal of a state nuclear power moratorium.
Now retired, he lives in Milwaukee with his wife, Karin Borgh, and divides his time between activism and being a grandpa to two middle school boys.
You'll have a chance to celebrate with Bill as he receives this 2023 annual Peacemaker of the Year Award at the WNPJ Fall Assembly:
"Every Drop Counts - Coming Together for Water"
Sat. October 28th, 10 am - 1 pm at the Fox Valley UU Church on Philips Lane, in person - or virtually. Watch for more information and registration forms...
And to see previous Peacemaker Awardees, check out this site: https://www.wnpj.org/awards
Written by Judy Miner, former WNPJ Network Coordinator. info@wnpj.org
You can reach Bill at xofffiles(AT)gmail.com