Jadranka Miličević

Overview

Jadranka Miličević born Sarajevo, Bosnia, Yugoslavia April 2, 1957. Peace activist; co-founder Women in Black Belgrade 1991; founded CURE Foundation 2005.

Quotations

"We have to reach women and tell them if they don't take their future and the future of their children into their own hands, no one will, It is very important for women to work together. By sharing our problems and talking about them together, we can more easily overcome them. We don't want a state without men, but we do want our place and attention. No one takes that seriously." (LA Times, Oct. 7, 1998; photo nvozenegranhova)

Federica Mogherini

Overview

Federica Mogherini born Rome, Italy June 16, 1973. Youngest woman to become Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, 2014; second woman to serve as EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, 2014. Opposed military response to Russian war in Ukraine, condemning illegal occupation of Crimea. Made peace with Sudan, saving Mariam Ibrahim from death sentence, 2014. Announced agreement with Iran on behalf of EU, 2015.

Quotations

“We need a Palestinian state—that is the ultimate goal and this is the position of all the European Union. . . It is not only the people of Gaza that can’t afford having a fourth war, all the world cannot afford this.” (Times of Israel, Nov. 8, 2014; photo women’s forum)

Biserka Momcinovic

Overview

Biserka "Biba" Momcinovic born Zagreb, Yugoslavia December 9, 1946. Croatian peacemaker. Signed Antiwar Campaign Charter declaration affirming that, despite cultural differences, people can work together, 1991; actively intervened to protect Serbs from Croatian actions in Balkan war; organized two anti-war protests against Iraq war in Enough of Wars campaign. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

"Peacebuilding is the first prerequisite for development, along with respect for human rights." (quote and photo World People's Blog)

Maria Montessori

Overview

Maria Montessori born Chiaravalle, Ancona, Italy August 31, 1870 (d. 1952). Pioneer in peace education and research; lifelong opponent of war and militarism, promoted League of Nations and UNESCO; first Italian woman doctor 1896.

Quotations

"Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war."

"True peace. . . suggests the triumph of justice and love." (Peace & Education, p. 7, 1943; 1913 photo Wikipedia)

Elsa Morante

Overview

Elsa Morante born Rome, Italy August 18, 1912 (d. 1985). Author. Published her essay “For and Against the Atom Bomb”, 1965. Wrote stage musical “The World Saved by Children”, 1968. Contrasted the horrors of war as she experienced the underground in World War II with world history in History: A Novel, 1974.

Quotations

“The United States proceeds with its escalation against Vietnam, in which the strategy of total war is followed, with three alls (kill all, burn all, destroy all).” (History, p.734; photo celeb-true.com)

Eugenia Morariu

Overview

Eugenia Morariu born Kassa, Hungary March 28, 1903 (d. 1977). Romanian-Hungarian Esperantist. Dedicated herself to spreading Esperanto as a universal language, to bring all people closer.

Luisa Morgantini

Overview

Luisa Morgantini born Villadossola, Piedmont, Italy November 5, 1940. Leader of Italian peace movement; trade union leader. Co-founded Italian Women in Black. Spokeswoman for Italian Association for Peace; head of its Palestine Group working for peace, 1994-99. Member of European United Left/Nordic Green Left in European Parliament, 1999-2009; Vice-President of European Parliament, 2007-09. Injured by Israeli troops in Bilin, Palestine during nonviolent protest, 2008; arrested and beaten, 2010. Published Beyond the Dance of Death: No to War, No to Terrorism, 2004. Awarded Women in Black Peace Prize, 1995; Colomba d'Oro per la Pace (Golden Peace Dove), 2002; Rebuilding Alliance Peacemaker Award, 2008.

Quotations

"We need an international UN observation and protection mission with peacekeeping troops to be sent to Gaza. . . Those under attack need protection and assistance. The international community has a duty to protect civilians, to stop the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, put an end to house demolitions and the destruction of infrastructure." (Nov. 19, 2006 unispal.un.org; photo luisamorgantini.net)

Pavla Moudrá

Overview

Pavla Moudrá born Prague, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary January 28, 1861 (d. 1940). Czech author and translator; founded Prague Chelčisky Peace Society named for famed Czech pacifist, affiliate of International Fellowship of Reconciliation; theosophist; edited feminist magazine Lada 1889; animal-rights defender.

Quotations

“The peace movement is not just a feast to eliminate wars. All the noble endeavors of union are united in it as in a center. Pacifism has both moral and improved order in its social program. Its goal is to create a new order for the future.” (1920, in Olga Slowik dissertation, 2014, p. 10; photo Wikipedia)