Jump to content

Philip Isely

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Philip Isely
Born
Henry Philip Isely

(1915-10-16)October 16, 1915
DiedJune 26, 2012(2012-06-26) (aged 96)
United States
Resting placeDillon Cemetery, Summit County, Colorado, US
Alma mater
Occupations
  • politician
  • writer
  • entrepreneur
  • businessmen
Years active1946–2003
Title
Spouses
  • (m. 1948; died 1997)
  • Eli Isely
    (m. 2001)
Children7

Philip Isely (October 16, 1915 – June 26, 2012) was an American peace activist and writer best known for writing numerous books and founding the Global Ratification and Elections Network (GREN) (now known as Earth Federation Movement (EFM)) and World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) along with his wife Margaret Isely, in 1955.[1]

He was also co-founder of the health food chain Natural Grocers (formerly Vitamin Cottage store).[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Born as Henry Philip Isely on October 16, 1915, the son of James Walter Isely and Jessie M. Owen, he grew up in Montezuma, Kansas.[3]

In 1934–35, he attended South Oregon Jr. College in Ashland and from 1935 to 1937, he studied at Antioch College. In 1939,[4] while pursuing his degree at Antioch College, Philip's path crossed with Margaret Ann Sheesley and they married in 1948.[5]

Co-founder of Vitamin Cottage

[edit]

After following organic diet, Philip's wife Margaret's health improved significantly, they recognized the potential health benefits of natural eating and began distributing nutrition books and taking supplement orders door-to-door, laying the foundation for their business. In 1958, they opened their first health food store in Lakewood, Colorado[2] and in 1963, the Iselys converted a cottage-style house into their new store, inspiring the name change to "Vitamin Cottage". Now it is run by the second-generation siblings Zephyr, Kemper and Heather with more than 160 retail grocery stores in around 20 states of US.[6]

Political career

[edit]

In 1958, Philip ran as a Candidate for the U.S. Congress.[1]

Birth of World Constitution and Parliament Association

[edit]

The World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) emerged from the Campaign for World Government (CWG), a movement that gained momentum in the aftermath of World War II.[7] Recognizing the urgent need for a comprehensive constitution to safeguard the planet, Philip and Margaret Isely, prominent advocates based in Denver, Colorado, became key figures in the push for a world parliament and global law.[8] In the mid-1950s, they joined the CWG at its Chicago offices and, in 1958 alongside individuals like Thane Read, Guy Marchand, and Marie Philips Scot, they formed the "World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention."[9] In 1961, the committee relocated to Denver and issued a public call for the convention, garnering committed delegates from 50 nations and endorsements from several heads of state.[10] In 1966, the organization was renamed the World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA), with Philip Isely serving as Secretary-General and Margaret Isely as Treasurer. Notably, their extensive correspondence with influential figures such as Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe of Sri Lanka and Dr. Reinhart Ruge of Mexico contributed to the growth and development of WCPA, eventually leading to their appointment as co-presidents.[8] Together, they dedicated their efforts to advancing the cause of a world constitution in their respective roles for many years. After the death of his first wife in 1997, Philip remarried in 2001,[10] and he left WCPA in 2003, with Glen T. Martin assuming the role of Secretary-General.[8]

During their active years, their home was picketed after a local newspaper (Jefferson Sentinel) accused them of being Communists. However, according to Margaret, "One of our neighbors had us investigated because we passed out literature for the Peoples World Parliament, but the FBI gave us a clean slate as harmless pacifists."[5]

Publications

[edit]

Philip Isely authored numerous books, including:[11][12]

Books

[edit]
  • The people must write the peace, 1950[13]
  • A call to all peoples and all national governments of the Earth, 1961[14]
  • Outline for the debate and drafting of a World Constitution, 1967[15]
  • Strategy for reclaiming Earth for Humanity, 1969[16]
  • Call to a World Constituent Assembly, 1974[17]
  • Proposal for immediate action by an emergency council of World Trustees, 1971[18][19]
  • Call to Provisional World Parliament, 1981[20][21]
  • People who want peace must take charge of World Affairs, 1982[22]
  • Plan for emergency Earth Rescue Administration, 1985[23]
  • Plan for Earth Finance Credit Corporation, 1987[24]
  • Climate Crisis, 1989
  • Handbook for Planet Earth, 1993[25]
  • Technological breakthroughs for a global energy network, 1991[26]
  • Bill of particulars: why the U.N. must be replaced, 1994[27]
  • Manifesto for the inauguration of World Government, 1994[28]
  • Call to the Fourth Session of the Provisional World Parliament, 1995
  • Critique of the Report of the Commission on Global Governance, 1995

Co-author

[edit]

Philip also co-authored and edited several works, including "A constitution for the Federation of Earth" (1974, revised edition 1991)[29] and Plan for collaboration in World Constituent Assembly for 1991.[30] He was also the author of several world legislation measures adopted at the Provisional World Parliament.[29]

Death

[edit]

Philip Isely died on June 26, 2012.[31][32]

Awards

[edit]

In 1989, obtained a research doctorate in education.[1] He received the Honor Award of the International Association of Educators for World Peace in 1975.[1][3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Henry Philip Isely Recognized for Contributions to World Peace Efforts". 24-7 Press Release Newswire. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  2. ^ a b "NGVC - Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Inc Company Profile - CNNMoney.com". money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  3. ^ a b "Henry Philip Isely :: iseli.org :: The home of the Iseli's". www.iseli.org. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  4. ^ "Search the People of Antioch College Alumni Association". alumni.antiochcollege.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-21.
  5. ^ a b "Margaret Ann Isely Sheesley :: iseli.org :: The home of the Iseli's". www.iseli.org. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  6. ^ "Natural Grocers Shows Employee Appreciation Throughout February". Progressive Grocer. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  7. ^ "archives.nypl.org -- Campaign for World Government. Records of the New York office". archives.nypl.org. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
  8. ^ a b c Martin, Glen T. (2013). The World Thinkers Panel on the Sustainable Future of Humankind (PDF). SEM Institute for Climate Change. ISBN 978-961-93136-8-8.
  9. ^ Baratta, Joseph Preston (2004). The Politics of World Federation: United Nations, UN reform, atomic control. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-98067-2.
  10. ^ a b Noel, Thomas J. (Thomas Jacob) (2006). Colorado : an illustrated history of the highest state. Internet Archive. Sun Valley, Calif. : American Historical Press. ISBN 978-1-892724-52-6.
  11. ^ "67 Things You Didn't Know About Natural Grocers | Natural Grocers". www.naturalgrocers.com. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  12. ^ "Expo West 2015: the award winners were..." New Hope Network. 2015-03-24. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  13. ^ Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1951). Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1950. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
  14. ^ Convention, World Committee for a World Constitutional (1963). A Call to All Peoples and All National Governments of the Earth. The Committee.
  15. ^ Who's who in the West. Marquis-Who's Who. 2000. ISBN 978-0-8379-0930-1.
  16. ^ Office, Library of Congress Copyright (1972). Catalog of Copyright Entries. Third Series: 1970: January-June. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
  17. ^ Who's who in the West. Marquis-Who's Who. 2000. ISBN 978-0-8379-0930-1.
  18. ^ Who's who in the West. Marquis-Who's Who. 2000. ISBN 978-0-8379-0930-1.
  19. ^ Who's who in America, 2006. Marquis-Who's Who. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8379-6991-6.
  20. ^ Who, Marquis Who's; Staff, Marquis Who's Who (November 1995). Who's Who in the West, 1996-1997. Marquis Who's Who, LLC. ISBN 978-0-8379-0926-4.
  21. ^ Marquis (1990). Who's who in the World. Marquis Who's Who. ISBN 978-0-8379-1110-6.
  22. ^ Marquis (1990). Who's who in the World. Marquis Who's Who. ISBN 978-0-8379-1110-6.
  23. ^ Who's who in America, 2006. Marquis-Who's Who. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8379-6991-6.
  24. ^ Who's who in America, 2006. Marquis-Who's Who. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8379-6991-6.
  25. ^ Who, Marquis Who's; Staff, Marquis Who's Who (November 1995). Who's Who in the West, 1996-1997. Marquis Who's Who, LLC. ISBN 978-0-8379-0926-4.
  26. ^ Who's who in America, 2006. Marquis-Who's Who. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8379-6991-6.
  27. ^ Who's who in American Law. Marquis Who's Who. 2007. ISBN 978-0-8379-3524-9.
  28. ^ Who's who in the West. Marquis-Who's Who. 2000. ISBN 978-0-8379-0930-1.
  29. ^ a b Isely, Philip (1977). A Constitution for the Federation of Earth. World Constitution and Parliament Association.
  30. ^ Who's who in Finance and Industry 2000-2001. Marquis Who's Who. 1999. ISBN 978-0-8379-0335-4.
  31. ^ "Ahead of the Curve". Retail and Restaurant Facility Business. 2016-10-19. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  32. ^ "Pueblo gets a healthy dose". Pueblo Chieftain. Retrieved 2023-05-19.