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Montgomery County proclaims July 14 as Matty J.T. Stepanek Peace Day
Summary
Montgomery County officials joined Matty Stepanek Peace Foundation volunteers on July 14 for readings, remembrances and a county proclamation recognizing "Matty J.T. Stepanek Peace Day," highlighting the foundation's year-round work promoting peace in schools and communities.
Montgomery County officials and volunteers marked July 14 with readings and a proclamation recognizing Matty J.T. Stepanek Peace Day, honoring the late youth poet and peace activist and the foundation that preserves his message.
A county representative opened the event by describing the annual observance as a time to “stop” and “notice,” and read Stepanek’s poem "For Our World," urging silence and kindness as first steps toward peace. "We need to stop. Just stop," the speaker read as part of the poem that framed the ceremony as a moment for reflection.
Council member Katz recounted meeting Matty years earlier, noted Matty’s national recognition and said the county’s proclamation was an honor. Katz told attendees that Matty would have turned 36 this year and cited past honors, including a U.S. Senate resolution in 2014 that recognized Matty’s contributions.
Jenny, known to many as "Mama Peace" and associated with the Matty Stepanek Peace Foundation, told the crowd the foundation had hosted a recent "Toast to Peace" celebration and community events that included live music and peace-themed activities. "We toasted to peace," she said, summarizing the weekend’s gatherings and the foundation’s outreach.
Jenny described the foundation’s year-round programming aimed at teaching children and adults in schools, workplaces and places of worship about peace, purpose and play. She invited residents to learn more at the foundation’s public website and to consider hosting the foundation’s programs in their communities.
The county proclamation, read aloud by speakers at the event, resolves that the County Council of Montgomery County recognizes July 14, 2026, as Matty J.T. Stepanek Peace Day "to honor Matty J.T. Stepanek’s life and legacy of peace." The proclamation references the Matty Stepanek Peace Foundation’s local events and prior recognitions at the municipal, state and federal levels.
The proclamation was presented to attendees; the reading and ceremonial recognition were the primary actions recorded in the transcript, with no formal roll-call vote recorded there. The event concluded with thanks to volunteers and organizers and an invitation to continue the foundation’s work throughout the year.
