Thelvia Marín Mederos born Sancti Spiritu, Cuba August 28, 1922 (d. 2016). Cuban sculptress, painter, and poet. Created one of world’s largest peace sculptures “Disarmament, Work and Peace” for UN at University of Peace, Costa Rica, 1987. (photo escambray)
Helen Mack Chang born Retalhuleu, Guatemala January 19, 1952. Human rights activist; challenged Guatemalan justice system.
"Life has no meaning unless we make an effort to live together in justice and with dignity." (Right Livelihood acceptance speech 1992; photo http://bit.ly/xKlVAO)
Susana Malcorra born Argentina November 18, 1957. UN Undersecretary for Field Support of Peace and Humanitarian Operations, 2008; Deputy Director of World Food Program, 2004.
"United Nations peacekeeping, as a flagship activity of the Organization, is a unique instrument that is built on a global partnership." (New Horizon doc. 2009; photo UN)
Edda Manga Otalora born Bogota, Colombia September 11, 1969. Swedish historian; peace activist; anti-militarist; imprisoned in Gaza Freedom Flotilla 2010 when 9 were killed.
“This was an attack in international waters by an unauthorized military force that attacked a peaceful humanitarian mission.” (Swedish News, Jun. 3, 2010)
“Just war has provided and still provides the legal basis for global power relations constructed on the differentiation of the global population.” (“Colonialism and Just War”, 2008; photo goteborgsfria.se)
Gladys Marín Millie born Curepto, Maule, Chile July 16, 1941 (d. 2005). Nonviolence advocate. Leader of Chilean Communist Party, 1994-2005. Stood in opposition to Pinochet regime's human rights violations; filed first complaint against Pinochet, 1998. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.
“War is big business for the powerful trans-national groups but meanwhile there is hunger and there are children who die of curable diseases. War is a damnable word and it is necessary to eradicate it. We must direct all our forces towards it; towards peace and understanding between human beings."
"We are against violence; the idea of Communism is to end the social and class inequalities that generate that violence. It was the fascist coup d’etat, with Augusto Pinochet at the top, that installed the most brutal violence that it is possible to know." (quotes and photo 1000PeaceWomen)
Olga del Valle Márquez de Arédez born Villa la Trinidad, Tucumán, Argentina September 9, 1931 (d. 2005). Founded and led Mothers of the Plaza in Jujuy. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.
“I felt rage for so much injustice, revulsion against so much badness. Nobody, not even the gendarmes who watched me could stop me. My slogan was: Never accept. Never shut up. . . I continue fighting for justice, so scarce on this earth.” (World People’s Blog; photo catamararcaadiario.com)
Nela Martínez Espinoza born Colloctor, Cañar, Ecuador November 24, 1912 (d. 2004). Defender of international human rights. Co-founded Alianza Femenina Ecuatoriana (Ecuadorian Women's Alliance), 1937. Communist leader of Glorious May Revolution, overthrowing dictator Carlos Arroyo del Rio, 1944. First woman in Ecuadorian parliament, 1944-45. Joined World Council for Peace, Paris, 1949. Co-founded Frente Continental de Mujeres por la Paz y Contra la Intervención (Women's Continental Front for Peace and Against Intervention), 1984. Opposed nuclear weapons. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.
“Quito was taken by the people without even a single violent action. I was moved by the presence of the women who were there day and night with their children, carrying them on their backs or holding them by their hands. That powerful symbol was enough to enable us to liberate those persecuted and confined as political prisoners. It was not necessary to resort to repression to gain peace.” (Peace Women Across the Globe: Martinez; photo fotosimagines)
María Emma Mejía Vélez born Medellín, Colombia September 27, 1953. Diplomat and journalist. Colombian Foreign Minister, 1996-98; sought reconciliation with Venezuela and opposed arms purchases. Second Secretary of the Union of South American Nations, 2011-12.
"I don't wish to see our continent rearming again. . . We feel we are making progress in our social programs in the region and we should continue that instead of arming." (Army Times, April 27, 1998; photo Wikipedia)
Rigoberta Menchú born Chimel, Guatemala January 9, 1952. Indigenous rights advocate; UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador; awarded Nobel Peace Prize, 1992.
"Change cannot come through war. War is not a feasible tool to use in fighting against the oppression we face. War has caused more problems." (Nobel Women's Initiative; 2003 photo Wikipedia)
Luz Méndez de la Vega born Retalhuleu, Guatemala September 2, 1978 (d. 2012). Leading literary figure, poet, writer, and actress; peacemaker: only woman negotiator final peace agreement, 1996.
“[W]hat I was experiencing at the peace negotiations was the result of the patriarchal system, which is embedded in all the ideologies and political affiliations. That knowledge and commitment to feminism were strong tools for my own empowerment at the peace table. That was also a turning point in my life.” (Vermot interview, June 2014; photo inclusivesecurity.org)
Gabriela Mistral (née Lucila Godoy Alcayaga) born Vicuña, Chile April 7, 1889 (d. 1957). Chilean poet and diplomat; Nobel Prize in Literature 1945; educational adviser to Mexico 1922; Representative to League of Nations Intellectual Committee 1926; Consul to Madrid during Spanish Civil War; co-founder of UNICEF.
"We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life." (Su Nombre es Hoy; photo roadtoavonlea.com)
Nancy Morejón born Havana, Cuba August 7, 1944. Leading Cuban poet feminist who opposed Vietnam War, Grenada invasion, Pinochet.
O shining Vietnam, if they bomb your sea,
bring your tree and your shield to the door of the country.
Slam it shut.
("In the Country of Vietnam", trans. Kathleen Weaver; photo Wikipedia)
Paula Moreno Zapata born Bogota, Colombia November 11, 1978. Afro-Colombian management engineer. Minister of Culture, 2007-10; founding president of peace-building organization Visible Hands, 2010.
"Young people have the challenge—and the responsibility—of changing the world. I believe we are living through a special moment today that I like to call 'the globalization of diversity'. . . [E]nding inequality and discrimination can be a basis for ensuring peace and prosperity for every Colombian citizen." (America's Winter, 2010; photo Viente afrocolombianos)
Maria Lacerda de Moura born Monte Alverne farm, Manhuaçu, Brazil May 16, 1887 (d. 1945). Brazilian anarcho-feminist; teacher; journalist. Founded Women’s Anti-war Committee, São Paulo, 1923; published Gandhian-inspired essay "Obligatory Military Service for Women? I Refuse! Denounce it!", 1933.
"Freedom depends on conscientious objection" (Proc. XXVI National History Symposium ANPUH, São Paulo, July 2011)
Rose Marie Muraro born Rio de Janiero, Brazil November 11, 1930 (d. 2014). Leading Brazilian feminist; self-described “Impossible Woman.” Began work with Hélder Câmara’s Catholic Action, 1946; worked with Leonard Boff for 17 years. Developed “nonviolent communication”; anti-war; opposed military regime.
“[T]o educate a man is to educate an individual, but to educate a woman is to educate a society.” (leonardoboff.com, June 29, 2014)
“Without equality between men and women, there will be no peace.” (World People’s Blog; photo bocamaldita.com)
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
