Helen Marston Beardsley, 1892-1982
Dedicated her life to ending armed conflict, the equitable treatment of laborers, and provision of medical services and housing to the impoverished. She founded the San Diego chapter of the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) and the San Diego chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

In 1934, Helen travelled to the Imperial Valley five times despite being threatened and harassed by the authorities and anti-labor thugs as part of the American Civil Liberties Union and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom support of the Cannery and Agricultural Workers Industrial Union, whose workers were being teargassed by police.

During World War II, she opposed the Japanese internment and, following the end of the war, organized peace marches to protest nuclear testing.

Helen worked with the Quakers to oppose the Vietnam War and draft by organizing silent vigils at the La Jolla Post Office. She helped to establish a draft counseling service for conscientious objectors and refused to pay her taxes that went to the war effort.

At age 73, in support of the civil rights movement, she went to Selma, Alabama to register voters in the Black community.

Courtesy Marston Family Collection