Natalia Silvina Sarapura

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Overview

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Natalia Silvina Sarapura born Kolla Region, Argentina February 27, 1975. Argentinean indigenous rights leader. Received “Unknown Peacemaker” Award of Bremen Peace Award, 2015.

Quotations

“With the support of the World Peace Service from Germany, which provides administrative and technical assistance, we help the indigenous communities to demand their rights to land and to sue them. The means are non-violent demonstrations, court cases, lobbying and petitions for the state and local authorities to fulfill their obligations. As a result, we now have Kolla's land ownership of nearly 60 communities recognized and 170 communities on the way to becoming a collective land title.” (Martin Ring interview, “It’s a Tough Fight”, Latein America Nachrichten, March 2015; photo Jujuy Al Mondo)

Nancy Sanchez

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Overview

Nancy Sánchez Méndez born Bucamaranga, Santander, Colombia September 27, 1968. Journalist and peace activist in Colombian civil conflict. Co-founded Network of Trainers of Peace in Putumayo, 1996. Attended peace talks in Costa Rica, 2000. Organized protests against American drug war initiative Plan Colombia's tactics of militarization and fumigation, 2001. Coordinated La Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres (“Women’s Peaceful Road”) national speak-out of 3,500 women against Plan Colombia, 2003. Founded Women’s Alliance of Putumayo, 2005. Joined Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Women PeaceMakers Program, 2012.

Quotations

“My heart wants peace always. Always we work with the organizations for peace. But my principal question is, what kind of peace is this? Peace without the participation of civil society, without women’s organizations? I don’t like this kind of peace. Peace is about [addressing] the inequalities, the discrimination—the social, economic and political discrimination.” (Sara Koenders, “The Right to Speak,” p. 56; photo sandiego.edu)

Marina Silva

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Overview

Marina Silva born Breu Velho, Acre, Brazil February 8, 1958. Nonviolent environmental activist; rubber tapper. Promoter of Amazon forest preservation; led early nonviolent Empate protests with assassinated leader Chico Mendes, 1980s. Senator, 1995-2011; as Environment Minister, saw 60% reduction of deforestation, 2003-08. Green Party presidential candidate, earning almost 20% of votes, 2010; Socialist Presidential candidate, earning 21% of votes, 2014. Awarded Goldman Prize, 1996; named UNEP Champion of the Earth, 2007; received Sophie Prize, 2009.

Quotations

"My option has always been for non-violent actions. Civil disobedience actions can occur without violence, without disrespecting fundamental rights—for example, without injuring people or damaging property." (Folha de S.Paulo, Aug. 18, 2013; photo adbb.org.br)

Berta Soler

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Overview

Berta de los Angeles Soler Fernandez born Matanzas, Cuba July 31, 1963. Co-founder of Ladies in White, a group dedicated to nonviolently protesting detention of political prisoners.

Quotations

"We do not advocate revolution. We do not use violence. We march peacefully on the streets. We have two arms: our white dresses and the gladiolas."(Christian Reforms, May 25, 2013; photo GEA photowords)

Madeleine Sylvain-Bouchereau

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Overview

Madeleine Sylvain-Bouchereau born Port-au-Prince, Haiti July 5, 1905 (d. 1970). Haitian sociologist, lawyer and feminist; international educator; actively opposed US occupation; delegate to Third Inter-American Conference on Education 1937; participant in founding of UN, as welfare officer aiding Polish political prisoners Germany 1944; UN First Committee which drafted convention on women's rights 1951-52; WILPF educational courses Copenhagen and Hamburg 1952-56; first woman to run for Senate 1957; arrested by Duvalier, and exiled; WILPF mission to Middle East 1958; advisor on community development Togo, 1966-68.

Quotations

“We believe in success. . . What does it matter if it shines only for those who will follow us, provided we contribute to establish justice and democracy in our country?” (Marlène Apollon, Abernethy; photo haiticulture.ch)