February 29
/Women peacemakers born today
1736 Ann Lee born Manchester, England (d. 1784). Founding mother of nonviolent pacifist Shaker movement. Arrested for persuading men not to fight in American Revolution, 1780; accused of treason, jailed 5 months.
1860 Mary Hughes born London, England (d. 1941). “Friend of All in Need.” British social worker; Christian Socialist; lifelong pacifist. Denied exit for Hague Women's Peace Congress, 1915.
Women's peacemaking on this day
1960 Diane Nash spoke for nonviolent students protesters at Nashville sit-in trial; 16 students jailed.
1975 International Women's Year recommended to UN General Assembly by UN Commission on Women.
1996 Louise Arbour of Canada appointed UN Prosecutor for Rwanda War Crimes Tribunal by UN Security Council.