Akmaral Arystanbekova

Overview

Akmaral Arystanbekova born Kazakhstan May 12, 1948. Chemist and diplomat. First Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, 1989-91. Initiated destruction of world’s fourth-largest cache of nuclear weapons; closed Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, 1991. Proposed Central Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.

Quotations

“[T]he most effective tool for global concerted action in addressing pressing global issues remains the United Nations.” (Eurodialogue interview, March 19, 2012; photo UN)

Anna Aschenbach

Overview

Anna Aschenbach born Nanking, China October 27, 1922 (d. 2011). Tax resister; WILPF awardee; organizer; civil rights activist.

Quotations

From her poem protesting the use of napalm in Vietnam: "Children First. The flaming girl keeps running to my eyes. No tears of mine can slake her searing back." (photo New Haven Independent, Jan. 20, 2011)

Kaisha Atakhanova

Overview

Kaisha Atakhanova born Karaganda, Kazakhstan July 18, 1957. Biologist; led successful campaign to prevent the commercial import of nuclear waste into Kazakhstan. Awarded Goldman Environmental Prize, 2005; Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

"Over 100 tests were done openly in Kazakhstan, and many more were done underground. Together, the radiation was more than 100 times that of the Hiroshima bomb. Many millions of people were affected by it. The nuclear testing site was closed by the president of Kazakhstan in 1990, but he was not able to stop the radiation. That will continue for years to come. . . And the worst effects were not with the first and second generations of people—the worst will come with the third, fourth, and fifth generations." (Grist, April 19, 2005; photo goldmanprize.org)