Sirimavo Bandaranaike

Overview

Sirimavo Bandaranaike (née Sirima Ratwatte) born Ratnapura, Ceylon April 17, 1916 (d. 2000). Sri Lankan stateswoman; world’s first female head of state 1960; 3 times prime minister 1960-5, 1970-7, 1994-2000; Socialist; Buddhist; founder of Non-Aligned Movement in Cold War 1961ff. Successfully mediated India-China dispute 1962; peacefully settled India boundary 1964; proposed Indian Ocean as Zone of Peace 1970.

Quotations

“I am happy to attend this great assembly not only as a representative of my country but also as a woman and a mother who can understand the thoughts and feelings of the millions of women, the mothers of this world, who are deeply concerned with the preservation of the human race. . . our endeavour should be to influence world opinion to such an extent that governments, however powerful, cannot regard warfare as an alternative to negotiation.” (Belgrade, Sept. 1961)

“I share the conviction implicit in the theme ‘Equality, Development and Peace’ that a civilised world order can be built only through the joint endeavor of men and women.” (Kay Camp, “Listen to the Women”, 1975, p. 8; photo thefamouspeople.com)

Hema Bharali

Overview

Hema Bharali born Assam, India February 19, 1919. Gandhian Sarvodaya leader; Assam earthquake relief 1950; leader in Bhave’s Bhodan movement 1951f.; postwar relief 1962.

Quotations

“If Government is for, by and of the people then we should ask ourselves why were so many people being killed in riots. Should we not make efforts to prevent such events. Everyone does something for his family. . . ” (The Hindu, May 1, 2006; photo thehindu.com)

Kamla Bhasin

Overview

Kamla Bhasin born Shaheedanwali, Punjab, India April 24, 1946. Indian social scientist, feminist; song-writer and poet; 2003 co-founded 1000 Women for Nobel Peace Prize 2005; co-founder Peace Women Across the Globe (PWAG) Bern 2006; Freedom from Hunger campaign of UN Food & Agriculture Organization specialist 1979-2001; worked for Indian-Pakistani reconciliation.

Quotations

“I am convinced that gender equality, justice and peace cannot be achieved without challenging the greed based neo-liberal economic order. In my opinion this paradigm is responsible for the resurgence of patriarchies, for increasing insecurities, conflicts and wars. So we feminists have a long way to go if we want to achieve equality, justice and peace.” (Poster Women, Sept. 11, 2011; photo ambrosia.am-blogspot)

Ela Bhatt

Overview

Ela Bhatt born Ahmedabad, India September 7, 1933. Indian lawyer; Gandhian leader of SEWA women's social service organization; won Alternative Nobel Prize 1984; Niwano Peace Prize 2010; Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2011; co-founded Women's World Banking 1979.

Quotations

"SEWA is struggling to find alternatives in a society based on love and non-violence." (Right Livelihood acceptance speech, 1984)

"[Gandhi] said that women are natural leaders in our fight for social justice where love and peace, nonviolence, are the chief weapons of the fight." (quote and photo Motion, Dec. 18, 2003)