Who was Abe Keller?

Abraham C. Keller (1916-1997) was an educator whose dedicated and joyful engagement, energy, and persistence in peace activism and education has changed our community forever. Through his varied and tireless efforts to expand peace education, oppose nuclear proliferation, and support peace and social justice activities, he left a proud legacy of accomplishments and he empowered those who knew him.

A few of Abe's peace and social-justice activities and organizational affiliations included:

• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): Member of the regional executive committee in the 1960s
• Organized training of West African professional leadership for the AFSC in Togo, 1963-1964
• Educators for Social Responsibility, Seattle
• Fellowship of Reconciliation and its affiliate, Jewish Peace Fellowship
• Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center
• African American/Jewish Coalition for Justice
• Northwest Disarmament Coalition

The Black Dollar Days Task Force established the Abe Keller Community Service Award in 1998 as a tribute to his many contributions to Campaign 5000, the cause of social and economic justice and their ties to lessening inter-group conflict.

Abe was Professor Emeritus of Romance Languages and Literature at the University of Washington, having worked at the university since 1948. The Faculty Senate acknowledged his June 4 death during their October 1997 meeting.

Today, ubiquitous violence has come to be routine and unchallenged, and few people have the knowledge or sense of empowerment needed to work for non-violent alternatives. Thus, the need to expand on Abe Keller's legacy of peace education is greater than ever.