Peace Week 2026

Peace Week is a special moment in our school year—a time to pause, reconnect with our Quaker testimony of Peace, and consider how each of us can help create a more compassionate and just world. Peace Week 2026 will be celebrated from January 20–23, and this year’s theme, Grounded in Spirit, Growing in Peace, invites us to draw strength from our inner Light as we nurture peace within ourselves and extend it to others. We are delighted to welcome Willie Perdomo '85 as our 2026 Peace Week speaker. Perdomo will present his address to the Friends Seminary community on Thursday, January 22 at 6 PM in the Meetinghouse.

To attend this event, click here.

Perdomo is an award-winning poet, educator, and former state Poet Laureate. His acclaimed books—including Where a Nickel Costs a Dime, Smoking Lovely, The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon, and The Crazy Bunch—as well as his children’s books Clemente! and Visiting Langston, explore themes of identity, community, and belonging. His writing illuminates the lived experiences of Puerto Rican and Afro-Latiné communities in New York City, lifting up stories and voices often overlooked.

Beyond his literary achievements, Perdomo is a gifted teacher and storyteller who believes in narrative as a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, and connection. His visit will invite us to reflect on how our own stories—and the stories we choose to honor—can deepen our understanding of one another and advance the work of peace.

Click here for the full email sent on December 9.