Julia Grace (1881-1957) was an extraordinary but relatively unknown woman whose life offers important lessons about what it means to be a world citizen and how to work for democracy in times when democratic values are in peril. Combining rational intellect with passion, retiring modesty with audacity, religious faith with scientific reason, and respect for tradition with out-of-box thinking, she made extraordinary contributions to the world in her time. At a time when many of us feel powerless to change things, Wales can offer us a model of active, engaged citizenship.

Deborah Buffton is a long-time friend of the UU Fellowship in La Crosse. She is a professor of History at UWL, teaching courses in World, European, and Asian Histories, as well as Nonviolent Resistance Movements, and Peace and War. Her research interests include the effects of war on society, peace and war memorials, and peace activism. Currently she is working on a monograph about Julia Grace Wales, a 20th century peace activist and social reformer.