Mayumi Oda born June 2, 1941. Japanese artist. Founded Plutonium-Free Future, 1992; World Atomic Safety Holiday (WASH), 1999.
“I became an anti-nuclear activist, so my message was very anti-nuclear, anti-war and anti-violence, and how to live with the peace of others in the land.” (Kyoto Journal, Jun. 25, 2012; photo vernegallery.com)
Sadako Ogata born Tokyo, Japan September 16, 1927. Diplomat and Professor of International Relations; UN High Commissioner for Refugees 1992-2001; Japan's International Cooperation Agency 2003-12; Asian Nobel prize Magsaysay Award for peace and international understanding 1997; Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2001.
"Women are also crucial to building peace and making the transition to sustainable development. In fact, women are often the first to build bridges across divided communities and to work toward co-existence and reconciliation." (Geneva, Nov. 29, 2000; 1993 photo Johns Hopkins)
Hiro Ohashi born Japan February 1, 1882 (d. 1973). Japanese botanist. Delegate to Fourth WILPF congress, Washington DC, 1924. President, Japan Women’s University, 1947-56.
“It is the general trend of the world today to establish a world community by forgetting the difference of customs, environments, and colors, to promote the happiness of mankind.” (“Speech to Young People”, Report of Fourth WILPF Congress, 1924, p. 123; photo jwu.ac.jp)
Margo Okazawa-Rey born Kobe, Japan November 26, 1945. American social worker; professor; co-founded International Network of Women Against Militarism; protested Roxbury killings 1979; co-founded Combalee River Collective of Black feminists.
“I am firmly convinced that we—those who care, those who struggle for a just peace—should give the last word to LOVE, understanding that its most generative expression is the struggle for justice. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has told us, justice is what love looks like in practice. As activists struggling for social and ecological justice, we must love as we DO: love the work, love the ideas and values that frame the work, and above all love the people we work with and humanity itself.” (Syracuse Peace Council, May 2015; photo Hamilton college)
Yoko Ono born Tokyo, Japan February 18, 1933. Pacifist singer and artist. Her band, the Plastic Ono Band, released the single "Give Peace a Chance", 1969. Established LennonOno peace award, 2002.
“When you go to war, both sides lose totally.” (photo http://bit.ly/J3b1vb)
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
