Jodie Evans

Jodie Evans is an American peace activist, environmental advocate, and political organizer, best known as a co-founder of the prominent anti-war organization Code Pink. Her decades-long career has centered on grassroots mobilization against military intervention, advocacy for climate justice, and support for progressive political candidates and causes. Evans's work has positioned her as a significant figure in left-wing activism, often engaging directly with political power structures to advocate for social change.

Early life and education

Jodie Evans was born and raised in San Francisco, a city with a deep history of countercultural and political activism. She attended the University of California, Berkeley, an institution renowned for its student activism and radical political thought during the 1960s and 1970s. Her formative years in the San Francisco Bay Area exposed her to burgeoning movements for civil rights, peace, and environmentalism, which profoundly shaped her future trajectory. After completing her studies, she initially worked in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, including a stint at the Creative Artists Agency, before fully committing to political and social activism.

Activism and advocacy

Evans's activism spans a wide array of issues, with a consistent focus on opposing U.S. foreign policy and militarism. She has been a vocal critic of the war in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and broader American military–industrial complex. Her advocacy extends to environmental justice, where she has campaigned against fossil fuel extraction and supported the Green New Deal. Evans has organized and participated in numerous direct action protests, civil disobedience, and demonstrations, including at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Republican National Convention. She has also worked on issues of economic inequality, supporting the Occupy movement and advocating for campaign finance reform.

Political involvement

Beyond grassroots organizing, Jodie Evans has been actively involved in electoral politics, often working to influence the Democratic Party from within. She served as the finance director for Jerry Brown's 1992 presidential campaign and has been a longtime supporter and fundraiser for progressive candidates. Evans was a prominent fundraiser and delegate for Dennis Kucinich during his presidential runs and later played a significant role in Bernie Sanders's 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns. Her political network includes figures like Tom Hayden and Dolores Huerta, and she has consistently used her platform to challenge establishment politics and advocate for a non-interventionist foreign policy and bold climate change mitigation.

Co-founder of Code Pink

In 2002, Evans co-founded Code Pink with activists including Medea Benjamin and Gael Murphy in response to the impending 2003 invasion of Iraq. The women-led organization, known for its use of the color pink and theatrical protest tactics, quickly became one of the most visible groups in the anti-war movement of the early 21st century. Under her co-direction, Code Pink has expanded its focus to include opposition to drone warfare, the Saudi Arabian–led intervention in Yemen, and the Palestinian cause, while also advocating for diplomacy with nations like Iran and North Korea. The group is known for its confrontational yet creative protests, often disrupting congressional hearings and confronting figures such as Henry Kissinger and Hillary Clinton.

Personal life

Jodie Evans is married to Max Palevsky, a former Intel executive and venture capitalist known for his philanthropy and support of liberal causes. The couple has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, particularly supporting arts and political activism. Evans is also a mother and has spoken about balancing family life with the demands of relentless activism. She maintains residences in Los Angeles and Venice, California, and continues to be a prolific writer and speaker, contributing to publications like The Huffington Post and The Nation while frequently appearing as a commentator on networks such as CNN and MSNBC.

Category:American activists Category:American anti–Iraq War activists Category:Code Pink people Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni