2024: John Fife and Dora Rodriguez
Honoring john fife and dora rodriguez
Tucson, AZ – October 30, 2024 – CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador) proudly celebrated the annual Peter Hinde CRISPAZ Peace Award at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona, honoring two remarkable individuals, John Fife and Dora Rodriguez, for their enduring commitment to justice and human rights along the U.S.-Mexico border. Will Rutt, a member of the CRISPAZ board, served as Master of Ceremonies.
The event began with a heartfelt invocation by Rev. Alison Harrington, the pastor at Southside Presbyterian Church, who blessed the gathering and set the tone for the night focused on peace and justice. Francisco Mena Ugarte, Executive Director of CRISPAZ, highlighted the organization’s mission to foster peace, solidarity, and respect for human rights between peoples. He shared updates on CRISPAZ’s ongoing work and the impactful programs in El Salvador that continue to bridge divides and inspire nonviolent action.
The award ceremony honored John Fife, and Dora Rodriguez, whose lifelong dedication to humanitarian and social justice causes exemplifies the spirit of the Peter Hinde CRISPAZ Peace Award. Both recipients were introduced by community members who have witnessed their work firsthand. Salvadoran migrant Wendy Lopez and longtime volunteers from Tucson samaritans, Gail Kocourek and Bob Kee, introduced John Fife and Dora Rodriguez, sharing personal stories that highlighted the awardees’ deep compassion and commitment.
In recognition of their contributions, Mena presented each honoree with a handcrafted plaque created by Salvadoran artisans from La Palma, symbolizing the solidarity and connection between the communities they serve. Friends, family, and supporters gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of Fife and Rodriguez while enjoying traditional Salvadoran food, which serves as a reminder of the cultural roots that bind the mission of CRISPAZ and our nations.
A series of surprise video messages were shown, featuring colleagues, friends, and family. The event concluded with a prayer by Sister Alma Angelica Macias Mejia, the director of Casa de la Misericordia y de las Naciones. The celebration was further enhanced by the music of singer-songwriter Pablo Peregrina, whose heartfelt border songs, accompanied by violinist Heather Hardy, added an emotional depth to the evening’s tribute.
CRISPAZ extends heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and contributed to the success of the event. In the spirit of fostering peace and justice, CRISPAZ encourages others to join their mission by supporting initiatives that connect communities across borders. Donations are essential in sustaining these vital programs and empowering the unheard communities that CRISPAZ serves.
About the Honorees
John Fife is an important figure who was involved in the original Sanctuary Movement and helped found the immigrant rights group No More Deaths. For 35 years, he served as a minister at Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson.
In 1992, Fife was elected as the General Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is now the pastor emeritus at Southside Presbyterian. During the 1980s, Fife co-founded the Sanctuary Movement in the U.S., which mobilized over 500 churches to aid refugees in crossing the border and finding sanctuary.
Subsequently, in 2004, religious leaders in Tucson formed a coalition named No More Deaths to address immigrant fatalities along the U.S./Mexico border. Fife has been actively involved in this initiative since its inception.
John has been married to Marianne for 60 years. They have two sons, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
In 1980, Dora Rodriguez escaped El Salvador’s civil war and was one of thirteen survivors found near death while crossing the border through the Sonoran Desert. Dora shares her migration story and advocates for migrants’ rights, making her a prominent figure in Tucson, AZ’s sanctuary movement.
Through public speaking and advocacy, Dora aims to raise awareness about the challenges migrants face in the desert and to drive positive changes to the immigration injustices in border towns.
Dora, a proud grandmother, resides in Tucson with her husband and five children. She is also the Director of Salvavision, a nonprofit that provides aid and support to migrants and deportees.
2024 Honorees event information
About the Award
Inspired by the testimony of the Martyrs of El Salvador, the CRISPAZ Peace Award was established in 2009 to recognize individuals or organizations that embody the preferential option for the poor in their work for the promotion of peace and social justice.
CRISPAZ, the awarding organization, has for more than three decades enabled thousands of individuals, many from North America, to accompany the Salvadoran people in their ongoing struggle for peace rooted in justice and compassion
2024 SPONSORS
ROMERO CIRCLE
- Edward & Marilyn Lorenz
- James & Mary Tracy
- Rev. Dan Long
- Ted & Diane Von Der Ahe
- Kate Carter & Ann Magovern
- Dr. Thomas Kunkel
- Philip Robson-Garth
- Pat McSweeney
- Vivian (Candy) and James (Pat) Egbert
- Southside Presbyterian Church
RUTILIO GRANDE CIRCLE
- The Jesuit Center at the University of Scranton
ELBA & CELINA CIRCLE
- Ignatian Solidarity Network
- Scott Wright & Jean Stokan
- Micheal & Helen Peters
- Tabor House
- Fordham University- Campus Ministry
- Kino Beatification Society
- Will Rutt & Elizabeth Bayardi
- Cathy Cornell & Paul Knitter
- Dr. Wiliam A. Billingham
- Micheal Peters
- 2023 Cathy Cornell & Paul Knitter
- 2022 Marie Dennis
- 2021 Casa de la Solidaridad
- 2020 Sr Betty Campbell and Fr Peter Hinde (1923-2020)
- 2019 Jean Stokan and Scott Wright long time peace activist.
- 2018 Fr. Jon Sobrino S.J. renowned Liberation Theologian and Professor since 1964 at The University of Central American in San Salvador.
- 2017 Fr. Paul Schindler Long-time missionary with Cleveland Mission Society in El Salvador
- 2016 Fr. Tom Smolich S.J. International Director of Jesuit Refugee Services
- 2015 Hospitalito The Carmelite sisters at the Divine Providence Chapel
- 2014 Asociacion ProBusqueda. Organization that investigates cases of the forced disappearances of children during El Salvador’s civil war.
- 2013 COFAMIDE The Salvadoran Committee of Relatives of Killed or Disappeared Migrants
- 2012 CoMadres Committee of Mothers and Relatives of Prisoners, the Disappeared and the Politically Assassinated of El Salvador
- 2011 Fr. Dean Brackley, S.J.† theology professor at the UCA, and pastoral minister to the rural community of Jayaque, La Libertad
- 2010 Sr. Peggy O’Neill director of the Art Center for Peace in Suchitoto
- 2009 Centro Monseñor Romero at the University of Central America (UCA)