Mayra Avellar Neves born Vila Cruzeiro, Rio de Janiero, Brazil August 31, 1991. Activist. Peace March Against Violence, 2006; Walk for Peace, 2007. Received International Children’s Peace Prize, 2008.
“Education is the key to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and violence.” (Kids Rights Foundation 2008; photo svri.org)
Thelma Aldana born Gualán, Guatemala September 27, 1955. As President of Guatemalan Supreme Court, set up special courts to try cases of violence against women, 2011; pressed for Sepur Zarco decision, punishing sexual slavery in conflict, 2016. Received Right Livelihood Award, 2018.
“I am totally convinced that a feminist in decision-making roles makes a difference.” (UN Women, May 8, 2018); photo Wikipedia)
Isabel Allende Llona born Lima, Peru August 2, 1942. Chilean-American author and human rights advocate.
“I can promise you that women working together—linked, informed and educated—can bring peace and prosperity to this forsaken planet.” (photo Wikipedia)
Ángela Acuña de Chacón Braun born Cartago, Costa Rica October 2, 1888 (d. 1983). Human rights lawyer; first female attorney in Central America. Feminist, suffragist. Founded Costa Rican WILPF. Led national People's Mandate to End War, 1938. Ambassador to Organization of American States. First woman on Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, 1960-72. (photo Swarthmore College)
Mariclaire Acosta Urquida born November 7, 1948. Mexican human rights advocate. First woman to hold position of Utrecht University UNESCO Human Rights Chair. Representative, Amnesty International, Mexico section, 1977-84. Founding director, Mexican Academy of Human Rights, 1984-89. Chairperson, Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights, 1990-2000. Special Ambassador for Human Rights and Democracy, 2000; Secretary of Human Rights and Democracy in Foreign Ministry, 2001-03. Director, Freedom House Mexico, 2011-present. Coordinated mediation in peace talks with Zapatistas, Chiapas, 1994.
“There are no magic solutions to human rights violations, but with the establishment of this office we are opening up to international scrutiny.” (thenewsMexico, Dec. 7, 2002)
“The human rights situation in Mexico is dire. This is primarily a result of the lack of structural reforms of the criminal justice system and policing—we are still living under the legacy of authoritarianism. . . as well as the misguided strategy of fighting a 'war' against the drug cartels. The consequences of this 'war' have been thousands of disappearances, several hundred extrajudicial executions, several thousand internally displaced persons, the institutionalization of torture and detention without charges, and last but not least, the deaths of almost 50,000 people.” (Freedom House interview, June 26, 2012; photo revistafolios.mx)
Claribel Alegría (née Clara Isabel Alegría Vides) born Estelí, Nicaragua May 12, 1924. Salvadoran-Nicaraguan poet and novelist. Nobel Literature Laureate, 2006. Lifelong dedication to nonviolence.
“[W]e are all very violent. The 20th century has been one of the most bloody centuries, terrible, the Holocaust, and Sarajevo. Oh my God! What do I hope for this next century? That the human race thinks deeply and puts aside hate, that we end all discrimination.” (Daniel Flores interview, Bomb, Winter 2000; photo es.literaturas.wiki)
María Soledad Alvear Valenzuela born Santiago, Chile September 17, 1950. First woman Foreign Minister of Chile 2000 improved relations with US and Europe; first minister of Women's Affairs; as Justice Minister replaced colonial criminal code; tried to prevent Iraq War.
On the Iraq War: "We advocate a solution that is consistent with international law and with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. This is the only source of legitimacy for our agreements and collective decisions.
· We emphasize the need to adopt collective measures to prevent and eliminate threats to peace.
· We strenuously seek every possible means of achieving a peaceful solution to problems. This is a principle that we have historically promoted and we are determined to continue to work towards its realization." (UN Security Council, Nov. 7, 2003; photo Wikipedia)
Lupe Anguiano born La Junta, CO March 12, 1929. Mexican-American civil rights activist; environmentalist; former nun. Performed nonviolent work with Cesar Chavez; opposed Iraq War as "senseless."
“We have a responsibility to take a stance on issues. . . The dignity of humankind is at stake here.” (Ventura County Star, Mar. 3, 2007)
Carmen Argibay born Buenos Aires, Argentina June 15, 1939. Argentine justice, first woman on Supreme Court 2005, imprisoned under military rule, Judge International tribunals on Japanese sexual crimes 2000, Yugoslav war crimes 2001-05.
"The crimes committed against these survivors remain one of the greatest unacknowledged and unremedied injustices of the Second World War. There are no museums, no graves for the unknown 'comfort woman,' no education of future generations, and there have been no judgement days for the victims of Japan's military sexual slavery and the rampant sexual violence and brutality that characterized its aggressive war." (Dec. 4, 2001 judgment; photo ICTY)
Marie Carmèle Rose-Anne Auguste born Jeremie, Haiti November 29, 1936. Nurse and human rights advocate; antiwar singer. Reopened State University Hospital during military coup, breaking in with an axe and recruiting doctors and staff, 1991. Minister Delegate for Human Rights and the Fight Against Extreme Poverty, 2012. Received Reebok Human Rights Award, 1994. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.
Enough, we say!
NO! NO! NO!
77 times NO, Bush,
so that solidarity weaves
its way around the world
How can we say YES to war?
(Peace Women Around the Globe: Auguste; photo Cheney College)
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
