On October 1, 2025, community members gathered at Pacific Lutheran University from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the 2025 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate, Carol C. Mitchell. The evening honored her decades of work in cultural preservation, restorative justice, and international collaboration, work that reflects Tacoma’s deep commitment to peacebuilding both locally and globally.

Tacoma Sister Cities (TSC) was proud to support the event, continuing its close partnership with the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize. This shared commitment to peace through education, cultural exchange, and community dialogue is carried forward by dedicated leaders, including Frances Lorenz, Vice President of Tacoma Sister Cities and an active member of the Peace Prize committee, and Clare Petrich, a longtime TSC President and founding supporter of the Peace Prize.

Program Highlights

• Opening Music by Maureese “MO’Sax” Itson

• Reflections from 2024 Laureate Diane Powers

• Introduction of the 2025 Laureate by Maralise Hood-Quan, 2023 Laureate and nominator

• Keynote Address by Carol C. Mitchell, including insights from her visit to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in Oslo

• Announcements & Closing Remarks by Thomas Heavey Sr., Celesta Smith, and MC Daniel Schabot

• Youth Voices & Spoken Word Tributes

• Final Call to Action: Peace as a daily practice

The banquet served as a reminder that peace is not passive; it’s a living commitment rooted in relationships, courage, and community engagement.

To learn more about the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize (GTPP), visit: tacomapeaceprize.org

To explore Tacoma Sister Cities’ peacebuilding work, visit: tacomasistercities.org Carol C. Mitchell’s recognition as the 2025 Laureate was a powerful reminder that peace is not abstract; together we built it through relationships, cultural understanding, and daily acts of courage. Her work in restorative justice and international collaboration reflects the very heart of what both the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize and Tacoma Sister Cities stand for.

As partners in peacebuilding, we believe that education, storytelling, and cross-cultural exchange are essential tools for creating a more just and connected world. This banquet was a celebration of those values—and a call to keep practicing peace, together.