Marii Hasegawa

/

Overview

Marii Hasegawa (née Kyogoku), born Tadanoumi, Hiroshima, Japan September 17, 1918 (d. 2012). Peace activist; sent to internment camp during World War II; called "Gentle Woman of a Dangerous Kind." Head of US WILPF, 1971-75. Led peace delegation to Vietnam; early Nike missile protest; promoted meetings of Russian and American women. Awarded Niwano Peace Prize, 1996.

Quotations

"Peace is not just the absence of war, but a world without repression; government which puts people first, with civil rights and civil liberties; an economic system which is not exploitative; housing and education of the kind each person wants; consumerism under control; the environment being helped to recover; universal health care." (Niwano award, 1996; photo Swarthmore Peace Col.)

Raicho Hiratsuka

/

Overview

Raicho Hiratsuka (née Haru) born Tokyo, Japan February 10, 1886 (d. 1971). Pioneering Japanese feminist. Founded and edited first Japanese women’s journal, Bluestocking, 1911. Undertook peace mission to US on outbreak of Korean War asking for Japan to remain pacifist and neutral, 1950.

Quotations

“In the beginning, Woman was truly the Sun. An authentic person.” (Seito Manifesto, 1911; photo ko.wikipedia)