Ann Jones

Overview

Ann Jones born Eau Claire, WI September 3, 1937. American antiwar journalist and author. Opponent of violence against women; published Kabul in Winter, 2007; War Is Not Over When It's Over: Women Speak Out from the Ruins of War, 2010.

Quotations

The story of success in Afghanistan was always more fairy tale than fact—one scam used to sell another. . . a threefold failure: no peace, no democracy, and no reconstruction.” (Aug. 27, 2006, Tomgram)

Nobody wants war, except profiteers and arrogant rules—almost exclusively men, often short—who imagine themselves heroic. We’re taught that war is inevitable, eternally embodied in our human nature. But the fact is that war is a human invention, and a fairly recent one at that…We live within the walls of the most aggressive nation in the world—the only one that practices preemptive war and coerces others to join its dubious coalitions against fabricated enemies. The only one that has made armaments and warfare the engine of its economy. Once a world leader, the United States now poses a danger to the whole planet.” (Veterans for Peace, Spring 2016, p. 2; photo nationinstitute.org)

Rebecca Jones

Overview

Rebecca Jones born Philadelphia, PA July 8, 1739 (d. 1818). Quaker schoolmistress 1761-84; traveling minister and philanthropist who worked for Indian rights; opposed all wars and slave trade.

Quotations

"The injustice and iniquity of that [slave] trade, and the newspapers have continual strokes at it, so that I hope something will be done to put a stop to the diabolical business." (Jan. 5, 1788 letter to John Pemberton, in Memorials of Rebecca Jones, p. 144, 1848; photo 18th Century Women)

Barbara Jordan

Overview

Barbara Jordan born Houston, TX February 21, 1936 (d. 1996). African-American civil rights activist; lawyer and politician. Member of US House of Representatives, 1973-79.

Quotations

“The resolution of disputes by peaceful means rather than violent means is a preferred view widely shared. . . One must ask, how serious is our commitment to peace?”

June Jordan

Overview

07.09 jordan.jpg.png

June Jordan born Harlem, NY July 9, 1936 (d. 2002). Black poet and professor who opposed Vietnam War and Gulf War. Freedom rider in civil rights movement.

Quotations

they said this
was their quest for peace
They blew up your homes
and then
they said this was brilliant
military accomplishment and this was done
they said in the name of self-defense they said
that is the noblest concept
of mankind isn’t that obvious?
("Apologies to Lebanon." 1982; photo Wikipedia)

Ashley Judd

Overview

Ashley Judd born Granada Hills, CA April 19, 1968. Film actress appointed Global Youth Aids Ambassador 2003; documentary on AIDS in India 2007; two missions to Congo against genocide and rape.

Quotations

"The empowerment of girls and women is an essential tool to preventing the HIV/AIDS emergency from exploding any further." (March 13, 2007, Mumbai; photo hairpedia.com)