Claire Nelson

Overview

Claire M. Nelson born February 23, 1952. Human rights activist. Co-founded Grannies Respond (Abuelos Responden), protesting child separation at border, 2018.

Quotations

“To me, grannies mean something very, very, strong towards children just in terms of what we grannies and grandpas are. . . [We are] strong, we’re elderly, we’re wise, we have unconditional love for our children and children of the world. I felt like that we could respond and make a difference in many ways.” (CBS News, Jul. 19, 2018; photo comic sands)

Gertrude E. Nafe

Overview

Gertrude E. Nafe born Grand Island, NE November 22, 1883 (d. 1971). Nonviolent anarchist; communist; teacher and writer; organizer for Emma Goldman. Fired from teaching position for striking “obedience” from loyalty oath, 1918.

Quotations

“We do not threaten violence and never have. We prophesy that the change will not be made without the use of force and we resolve not to be deterred by that fact. Violence covers the earth at present and is the root of all governments. The only possible foundation of peace is justice.” (Socialist Review, 1919, p. 113; photo Wikipedia)

Harriet Nahanee

Overview

Harriet Nahanee (née Jones) AKA Tseybeyotl born Pacheedaht tribe, Vancouver Island, British Columbia December 7, 1935 (d. 2007). Canadian indigenous rights activist; died soon after release from 2 weeks in jail for Sky-to-Sky highway protest.

Quotations

“I'd like to ask all the people out there to reclaim their culture—practice it, teach the children, and let's reclaim our backbone, our culture and put some pride in our children.” (July 1995 sisis.nativeweb.org; photo Wikipedia)

Diane Nash

Overview

Diane Nash born Chicago, IL May 15, 1938. Founded Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee 1960; refused bail after arrest at Nashville nonviolent sit-in 1960, for which she was spokesperson; convinced Nashville mayor to desegregate lunch counters; dozens of arrests in Selma campaign which she led.

Quotations

"Do you feel it is wrong to discriminate against a person solely on the basis of their race or color?" (photo alexiswllr7192.edublogs.org)

Rachel Conrad Nason

Overview

Rachel Conrad Nason (née Jones) born Conshohocken, PA June 2, 1899 (d. 1977). “Madam Human Rights.” American diplomat and expert on international organization 1945-69; Quaker; advisor to Eleanor Roosevelt drafting Declaration of Human Rights 1946-9; Executive secretary Young Friends Movement; co-founded Connecticut Council on International Relations, 1927; Committee on Cause and Cure of War report on Hitler’s territorial claims, 1932; congressional secretary League of Women Voters 1944-45 promoting UN; State Dept. Distinguished Service Award, 1968.

Quotations

“[T]oo few men and even fewer women have the chance in their paid jobs to work at their convictions in any substantial way; I’ve had that chance.” (Friends Journal, Sept 15, 1969, p. 526; photo geni.com)

Maud Nathan

Overview

Maud Nathan born New York, NY October 20, 1862 (d. 1946). Pacifist suffragist. Co-Founded New York Consumers League, 1890; later headed national organization.

Quotations

“War today is too costly, not only to the conquered, but to the conqueror as well. In destroying his enemies he destroys, at least in part, the source of his own wealth. One of the chief deterrents of war, then, is that very spirit of commercialism which is so often decried. . .” (“Industry the Peacemaker”, Pa. Arbitration & Peace Conference, May 18, 1908, p. 45; photo geni.com)

Holly Near

Overview

Holly Near born Ukiah, CA June 6, 1949. Antiwar singer opposed Vietnam War, intervention in Central America, nuclear weapons, School of the Americas, domestic violence, death penalty; sang against Iraq War 2006 outside White House.

Quotations

"My criticism of US policy is not a criticism of our young people in the military or their families. The best way to care for our children is to never send them off to fight. I do not want them to die for me. War is never good for children on any side of the battle."

Students in Ohio at Kent and Jackson State,
Shot down by a nameless fire one early day in May. . . 
If you can die for freedom, so can I
("It Could Have Been Me" 1974)

Helen Nearing

Overview

Helen Knothe Nearing born Ridgewood, NJ February 23, 1904 (d. 1995). Gandhian disciple; nonviolent theosophist.

Juanita Morrow Nelson

Overview

Juanita Morrow Nelson born Cleveland, OH August 17, 1923 (d. 2015). Black peace activist 50 years; arrested 1943 sit-in; first Freedom Ride Journey of Reconciliation 1947; co-founded war tax resistance Peacemakers, 1948; held record 60+ years war tax refusal; arrested, tried Philadelphia 1959; charges dropped.

Quotations

"I am not paying taxes because the overwhelming percentage of the budget goes for war purposes." (Liberation, Sept. 1960)

"I want a different world. I want utopia." (Recorder, Jan. 21, 2009; photo farmingforjustice.org)

Lonnie Nelson

Overview

Lonnie Nelson born Seattle, WA August 20, 1932 (d. 2014). Communist labor leader; civic organizer; protested Vietnam War; supported Stockholm Peace Appeal. Founded Seattle Mothers for Police Accountability (MFPA); arrested 3 times for civil disobedience for Indian fishing rights, against Apartheid, and Medicare cuts.

Quotations

"My love for each of you is there in my work"

(2009 poem "To All of You"; photo Communism in Washington State)

Hattie Nestel

Overview

Hattie Nestel (née Axelrod) born Philadelphia, PA January 25, 1939. Antinuclear activist. Leader of Shut it Down Affinity Group of women protesting against Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant; arrested many times.

Quotations

“We can stop the nuclear industry, but we need to put our heads and our bodies on the line to do it.” (talk for Living in the Shadow Tour, Sept. 20-21, 2006; photo peacehq.tripod.com)

Janet N. Neuman

Overview

Janet N. Neuman born New York October 14, 1894 (d. 1992). Peace activist poet; co-founder Women Strike for Peace 1961; WILPF leader; idea of laying WSP wreath honoring suffrage founders at Capitol during HUAC hearings 1962; Art for World Friendship exchanged children’s art; poem supporting Vietnam Veterans Against War.

Quotations

“Might is not always right.” (Washington Post, May 19, 1975)

Mabel Newcomer

Overview

Mabel Newcomer born Oregon, IL July 2, 1891 (d. 1983). Economics professor Vassar; only woman delegate to Breton Woods Conference founding World Bank and IMF, 1945.

Quotations

"It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement." (New York Times, Sept. 25, 1935; photo vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu)

Mary Patterson Nitobe

Overview

Mary Patterson Nitobe (née Elkington) born Philadelphia, PA August 14, 1874 (d. 1938). "First Lady of the World," as hostess at League of Nations for husband, the Under-Secretary; Quaker pacifist.

Noor of Jordan

Overview

Noor of Jordan (née Lisa Halaby) born Washington DC August 23, 1951. Queen of Jordan, 1978-99; led international landmine campaign; promoted aid to Balkans 1998; member International Campaign for Missing Persons 1996; official mediator in Colombia civil war; co-founded Global Zero to eliminate nuclear weapons 2008.

Quotations

"It's women who can contribute to achieving real security, not bombs and bullets and repressive governments." (Larry King Live, April 13, 2005; photo Wikipedia)

Carolyn Nordstrom

Overview

Carolyn R. Nordstrom born Metter, GA September 26, 1963. Professor of anthropology, specializing in war and peace.

Quotations

"[P]eace begins—indeed must begin—in the thick of battle, among those least armed and often most violated. . . So peace begins when people find violence the worst of all." (Drugs, Violence, p. 61; photo Univ. Notre Dame)

Kathleen Norris

Overview

Kathleen Norris born San Francisco, CA July 16, 1880 (d. 1966). Popular American author; feminist. Wrote pacifist What Price Peace? A Handbook of Peace for American Women, 1928. Opposed capital punishment, conscription, World War II, and nuclear weapons.

Quotations

“Not money, or success, or position or travel or love makes happiness—service is the secret.” (Saturday’s Child; photo Wikipedia)

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Overview

Eleanor Holmes Norton born Washington DC June 13, 1937. Professor of Law; Delegate to House of Representatives 1991-present: Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee organizer 1964; opposed Vietnam War; annually introduced bill to reduce nuclear weapons 1994; arrested for Apartheid protest at South African embassy 1984 and Darfur protest at Sudan embassy 2006.

Quotations

"Considering that the United States is the only nation that has used nuclear weapons in war and still possesses the largest arsenal, this country has an obligation to begin the arduous process of leading the world in the transfer of nuclear weapons funds to urgent domestic needs." (Nuclear Disarmament Bill, March 29, 2007; photo it.Wikipedia)

Naomi Shihab Nye

Overview

Naomi Shihab Nye born St. Louis, MO March 12, 1953. Palestinian-American poet; songwriter; novelist.

Quotations

“We would like no more violence, from us as well as from you. HEAR US!  We would like to stop the terrifying wheel of violence, just stop it, right on the road, and find something more creative to do to fix these huge problems we have. Violence is not creative, it is stupid and scary.” (“Letter to Any Would-Be Terrorist”)