Clara Immerwahr born Polkendorff, Silesia, Germany June 21, 1840 (d. 1915). Pacifist; first German woman to obtain a PhD in chemistry, 1900. Killed herself after her chemist husband carried out first poison gas attack at Ypres.
“[Chemical warfare is] the perversion of the ideals of science [and] a sign of barbarity, corrupting the very discipline which ought to bring new insights into life.” (quote & photo Jewish Women’s Archive: Immerwahr)
Catherine Impey born Street, Somerset August 13, 1847 (d. 1923). British Quaker reformer and humanitarian; pioneer of transatlantic campaign against lynching; opponent of militarism: vegetarian; founded first British anti-racist paper Anti-Caste 1888; began anti-racist Society for the Recognition of the Universal Brotherhood of Man 1893; campaigned in US against lynching with Frederick Douglass; sponsored Ida B. Wells's tour of Britain.
"All arbitrary distinctions based on differences of social rank, [are] contrary to the mind of Christ." (Anti-Caste, p. 1, March 1888)
"The idea that colour has any place whatever in determining the place of members of the human family towards each other must everywhere be wiped out." (anti-caste gallery, Equiano Center, Univ. College, London; photo antiquarianbooksellersassociation)
Margareta Ingelstam born Edebo, Sweden May 30, 1937. Swedish educator, author, editor, and peace activist. Head of Swedish Christian Council, 1995-2002. Peace monitoring, South Africa, 1993-94; Network Forum for Peace Service, 1995-2006; EU program Building Culture of Non Violence; Postwar peacebuilding, Eastern Croatia, 1998 -2003. Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (SEAPPI), 2002-; Operation 1325, 2003 -current.
“Most conflicts have to be taken care of early before they become violent. . . Education should be the most important part of bringing peace to a community. People are ready to try nonviolent strategies.” (May 27, 2011, Kingston Ecumenical Conference; photo equmeniakyrkan.se)
Kathleen Royds Innes born Reading, England January 15, 1883 (d. 1967). Quaker; British WILPF leader; WILPF international co-chair, 1937; author and speaker on League of Nations and disarmament.
"Peace is a method and not a state and. . . under every system there will be causes for clash unless we remove the psychological causes." (WILPF Geneva Sept. 1934)
Toini Hjelt Iverson born Helsinki, Finland December 13, 1894 (d. 1973). Teacher; founder of local Fellowship of Reconciliation, Finnish Peace Union, 1920; WILPF of Finland; assisted war refugees.
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
