Victoria Ocampo

Overview

Victoria Ocampo born Buenos Aires, Argentina April 7, 1890 (d. 1979). Argentine writer and intellectual leader; feminist. Friend of Gabriela Mistral, with whom she shared a birthday. Adopted Gandhi’s example of nonviolence, 1924. Called on women to vow to overthrow patriarchal violence by ahimsa (soul-force). Imprisoned for opposition to Perón regime for four weeks, 1953.

Quotations

“I believe that by educating the child, that is, the man of tomorrow, woman can change the face of the world. And since up to the present date, 1977, man has failed in his attempts at peace, each minute becomes more urgent.” (Doris Meyer, Victoria Ocampo: Against the Wind and the Tide, 1979; photo danassaya.wordpress)

Elizabeth Odio Benito

Overview

Elizabeth Odio Benito born Punta Arenas, Costa Rica September 15, 1939 (d. 1993). International justice and human rights defender; Yugoslav War Crimes tribunal 1993-98; vice-president International Criminal Court 2003; instrumental in ruling that rape is torture; judge in conviction of Thomas Lubanga for war crime of recruiting child soldiers 2012.

Quotations

"After this tribunal, no single war criminal can say, 'I did not know that rape was not allowed in war.'" (June 1996, in New York Times, Jan. 10, 1999; photo world-citizenship.org)

Maria Esperanza Ortega

Overview

María Esperanza Ortega born Arcatao, El Salvador August 1, 1953. Member, Association of War Victims of El Salvador. Founding member of Coordinadora de Comunidades y Repoblaciones (“Coordination for Communities and Repopulation”), 1988. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

“My dream is that one day, in spite of the tiredness, we shall be able to achieve much more than what was achieved through armed conflict.” (quote & photo Peace Women Across the Globe: Ortega)

Maria Otero

Overview

Maria Otero born La Paz, Bolivia August 26, 1950. American President of Acción International, leading microfinance 2000; first Latina Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs 2009-13; chaired Bread for the World 1992.

Quotations

"I wanted to focus on helping women empower themselves through work so they can be leaders in their own lives." (Newsweek, Nov. 14, 2005; photo Wikipedia)