Chuck Howlett

Trailblazing Women: Peace Activist Tracy Mygatt

March 25, 2021 by Chuck Howlett Leave a Comment

As we celebrate Women’s History Month it is only fitting that we call attention to the contributions one native New Yorker made to the cause of world peace and social justice.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 12th, 1885, Tracy Mygatt was inspired by her New England ancestors’ religious convictions and translated those spiritual roots into radical social change, one that was highlighted by her own political determination.

After her graduation from Bryn Mawr College in 1908, she devoted her life to a number of reform causes, which included child labor and unemployment, world peace through her association with peace organizations and calls for world government, and an economic system based on democratic-socialist principles. [Read more…] about Trailblazing Women: Peace Activist Tracy Mygatt

Westmoreland: West Point’s Controversial Graduate

September 26, 2019 by Chuck Howlett Leave a Comment

The grounds and buildings occupying the hallowed landscape of the United States Military Academy at West Point are adorned with statutes, plaques, and pictures of many of the nation’s most famous military leaders. The cemetery is a veritable who’s who of those who fought in our nation’s wars. Statutes of Patton, Eisenhower, and MacArthur stand outside West Point’s Library, Dining Hall, and Parade Grounds.

Inside Eisenhower Hall are pictures of some of its most notable graduates, including one who is often labeled one of the most controversial generals in American military history. There is also a plaque in his honor at Thayer Hall, the building that is named after the Academy’s first Superintendent, Sylvanus Thayer. [Read more…] about Westmoreland: West Point’s Controversial Graduate

How New Yorkers Challenged Militarism in Education

January 29, 2019 by Chuck Howlett Leave a Comment

As someone who has written extensively about the history of peace movements in American history, I was particularly encouraged by the noted historian Larry Wittner’s piece “New York’s Long History of Peace Activism,” which appeared in the New York History Blog.

In his excellent overview he mentioned the role of the Committee on Militarism in Education (C.M.E.), an organization that was New York-based and played a vital role as a watchdog in its efforts to check the growth and establishment of the Reserve Officers Training Program (R.O.T.C.) between the world wars.

Although there have been some scholarly works that discuss its role in peace activism, what has been missing is the important and vital role that New Yorkers played in creating and supporting its efforts to check military training in both higher and secondary education. [Read more…] about How New Yorkers Challenged Militarism in Education