Georgia Harkness born Harkness, NY April 21, 1891 (d. 1978). Ecumenical pacifist theologian and professor. Opposed World War II, nuclear weapons.
"International order, first through the United Nations and eventually through a more inclusive world federation of nations, is the only sure road to peace." (Christian Ethics, ch. XI; photo Wikipedia)
Angie Harmon born Highland Park, TX August 10, 1957. Actress; named UNICEF Ambassador 2013.
"After learning the horrifying practice of child trafficking both in the United States and abroad, I knew I had to do something about it. That's what drew me to UNICEF. . . I believe that zero children should be forced into prostitution or made to work, especially at dangerous jobs." (UPI, Jan 2, 2013; photo Wikipedia)
Mildred Fish Harnack born Milwaukee, WI September 16, 1902 (d. 1943). Professor of English in Germany; translator and literary historian; member of resistance "Red Orchestra"; guillotined by Hitler 1943 Berlin for resistance.
"And I had loved Germany so much." (last words; quote and photo Wikipedia)
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper born Baltimore, MD September 24, 1825 (d. 1911). Black non-resistant abolitionist poet; novelist and lecturer; sat-in on Philadelphia trolley 1859.
Our world, so worn and weary,
Needs music, pure and strong. . .
Music to soothe all its sorrow,
Till war and crime shall cease;
And the hearts of men grown tender
Girdle the world with peace.
("Songs for the People"; photo Unitarian Universalist Assn.)
Mary McDonough Harren born September 4, 1925. Catholic Worker mother founded Peace & Justice House, Wichita, KS. First protest at Kansas military base; opposed Vietnam War, Salvador intervention; protested nuclear waste train.
"Our mission is to support the worldwide struggle for justice and peace through education and non-violent action."
"Just who decided that pro-choice was pro-abortion? What lousy thinking. Had to be a celibate male." (Nov. 6, 2008; wichitapeace.org)
"How can we not remember the 2-3 million Vietnamese we killed for no other reason (I've forgotten why we were in Vietnam) than to stop the domino effect or to keep the Vietnam communist from landing in Long Beach? And how about the millions of Iraqis who were sacrificed for Bush's non-existent weapons of mass destruction. We got in Afghanistan but we can't get out." (Truthout, Nov. 11, 2012; photo wichitapeace.org)
Florence Jaffray Harriman (née Hurst) born Manhattan, NY July 21, 1870 (d. 1967). Suffragist, social reformer, and advocate of League of Nations; Ambassador to Norway 1943, aiding escape of royal family and Nazi opponents from Norway; one of first books on Holocaust.
"There is no future for a Christian world but in truly and generously respecting the dignity of all men, and in working relentlessly that some equality of opportunity be common to all races and classes. . . There must come a sharing of all food, and of all culture." (Mission to the North, p. 325, 1941; photo Wikipedia)
Pamela Churchill Harriman (née Digby) born Farnborough, England March 20, 1920 (d. 1997). First female American ambassador to France, 1993; first woman diplomat to receive Legion of Honor.
“[The United States and France] have responsibilities to create a world where peace can rule.” (Time, Jul. 5, 1993; photo Wikipedia)
Erna Prather Harris born Kingfisher, OK June 29, 1908 (d. 1995). African-American journalist and peace activist; WILPF leader. Daughter of peacemaking father, a Gandhian who kept an overnight vigil to prevent a lynching. Founded and operated her own newspaper, The Kansas Journal, 1936-39. Wrote in opposition of US internment of Japanese citizens, 1946; supported Black Panthers’ opposition to draft. Attended founding of Mondcivitan Republic for world brotherhood, Cardiff, 1956. Opposed US intervention in Latin America, particularly Cuba. Undertook WILPF mission to Moscow, 1964. Led fight against Apartheid; spoke against Vietnam War. (photo janinewedel.info)
Jane Hart (née Briggs) born Detroit, MI October 21, 1921 (d. 2015). Pioneering aviator and peace activist. As wife of US Senator Philip Hart, she openly opposed Vietnam War; arrested for trying to hold ecumenical mass for peace inside the Pentagon 1969; co-founder NOW; war tax refuser.
“To bring the idea of peace and love of God into this house of death.” (New York Times, June 12, 2015)
“I cannot contribute one more dollar toward the purchase of more bomb and bullets." (Ann Arbor News, May, 22, 1972; photo womenofmville)
Clarie Collins Harvey born Louisa, MS November 27, 1916 (d. 1965). Black businesswoman; leading Black leader of Women Strike for Peace 1961, linking civil rights with peace movement; founder Womanpower Unlimited 1961 aiding jailed Freedom Riders; first Black head Church Women United 1971-4; WSP delegate to Geneva atomic conference 1962, World Without the Bomb Assembly Ghana 1962.
“I must say that that kind of witness. . . with white women and black women who were there in the south and who were wanting good will to be administered, really made a difference and a change.” (Debbie Harwell, Wednesdays in Mississippi, 2014; c.1968 photo amistedresearch)
Anne Hathaway born Brooklyn, NY November 12, 1982. Actress; supporter of UNICEF and Amnesty International campaign against child soldiers. (photo Wikipedia)
Rita Hauser (née Abrams) born New York, NY July 12, 1934. Human rights activist, international lawyer; US delegate to UN General Assembly 1969, UN Human Rights Commission 1969-72; President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board 2001-2004. Chair International Peace Academy, 1993; promoted reconciliation of Israel and Palestinians, helping to get Arafat to renounce violence and recognize Israel 1988; broke with Republicans by opposing Iraq War.
Louisine Havemeyer born New York, NY July 28, 1855 (d. 1929). Socially prominent art collector; suffragist leader, speaker and financier arrested jailed 5 days for leading protesters burning effigy of Pres. Wilson at White House 1919; co-founder National Women's Party 1916.
"We women of America are here to-day to voice our deep indignation that. . . American women are still deprived of voice in their government at home." (Feb. 9, 1919 speech that led to arrest, in Doris Stevens, Jailed for Freedom, p. 316, 1919; 1896 pastel by Cassat)
Laura Smith Haviland born Kitley Township, Ontario, Canada December 20, 1808 (d. 1898). American Quaker abolitionist and suffragist. Co-founded Michigan's first abolition organization, the Logan Female Anti-Slavery Society, 1832. Founded Michigan's first integrated school, the Raisin Institute, 1837. She and her husband turned their home into Michigan's first Underground Railroad station. Because of her aggressive abolitionist activity, a slave owner placed a $3000 bounty on her head, 1847. Left the Quaker community over her radical nonresistant abolitionism.
“Man, I fear neither your weapons nor your threats; they are powerless.” (threatened at gunpoint by slave catchers, in A Woman’s Life Work, 1881, p. 76; photo Wikipedia)
Casey Hayden (née Sandra Cason) born Victoria, TX October 31, 1937. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) leader, 1962-67.
“Nonviolent civil disobedience created a new community of folks willing to risk everything for their beliefs. . . It really was the beloved community, grounded in nonviolence and the southern black world of the church. It was womanist, nurturing, and familial, springing from the underlying philosophy of nonviolence, which was neither western nor patriarchal. Loving each individual ensured loyalty, which was both a means and an end.” (“Into the Attics of my Mind”, 2010; photo onevotencc.com)
Salma Hayek Jiménez born Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico September 2, 1966. Mexican actress and producer; leader in opposing violence against women, and UNICEF advocate promoting vaccination.
"I love this campaign because it gives us the possibility to help these children that are dying in vain." (Celebrity Baby Blog, April 8, 2008; photo UNICEF)
Anna Arnold Hedgeman born Marshalltown, IA July 5, 1899 (d. 1990). Nonviolent Black activist and educator; co-organizer of March on Washington 1963; first woman in New York city cabinet 1954.
"Perhaps it is our mission to make clear that hate destroys and that love can bring wholeness to mankind." (The Trumpet Sounds, p. 201, 1964; photo Hamline.edu)
Dorothy Irene Height born Richmond, VA March 24, 1912 (d. 2010). African-American civil rights leader. President of National Council of Negro Women, 1957-98. Lectured and taught in Asia and Africa.
“As more women enter public life, I see developing a more humane society.” (Arious Entertainment Newsletter, Apr. 23, 2010; photo thetruthinafrica.blogspot)
Julia Henderson born DuQuoin, IL August 15, 1915 (d. 2013). Lifelong UN employee, 1945-70; most senior woman in power. Director, Division of Social Welfare, 1950-54; Bureau of Social Affairs, 1955-67; Technical Operations, 1967-70. Secretary General, International Planned Parenthood Federation, London, 1971-78. Received UN Populations Award, 1991.
“Unplanned fertility is a threat to the quality of life.” (“How Many People”, Foreign Policy Assn., p. 62; photo UN)
Dorothy Marie Hennessey born Manchester, IA March 24, 1913 (d. 2008). Franciscan nun; peace advocate. Marched for civil rights; helped Cesar Chavez. With Witness for Peace, visited Nicaragua and formed human shield against attacks from Contras, 1984. Participated in 3,500-mile peace walk across US to protest Cold War, 1986. Arrested 3 times protesting nuclear weapons at Nevada Test Site. Jailed for Omaha Strategic Air Command protest, 1992. Alongside sister Gwen, jailed 6 months for School of Americas protest, 2001.
“I feel that it's our duty. We can't protest everything, but we can pick out some of the worst things to protest, and that's what I've tried to do.” (July 20, 2001; photo catholicreview.org)
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
