Harriet Beecher Stowe born Litchfield, CT June 14, 1812 (d. 1896). Most powerful abolitionist writer, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852.
"Women are the real architects of society." (The Chimney-Corner, p. 214, 1868; 1853 portrait by Francis Holl)
Anna Lord Strauss born New York City September 20, 1899 (d. 1979). Internationalist daughter of Quaker; delegate to founding of FAO Quebec 1945; US delegate to UN General Assembly 1951-2; editor, leader of League of Women Voters.
"[A priority] that we had at that time was to see that we got more food to the European countries, because it was the time when there was famine over there." (Jan. 22, 1973, oral history by R. McKinzie; photo Truman library)
Barbra Streisand born Brooklyn, NY April 24, 1942. Singer; antiwar advocate. Opposed Iraq War and global warming.
"I find bringing the country to the brink of war unilaterally five weeks before an election questionable—and very, very frightening." (New York Times, Sept. 30, 2002)
"After nine long years, over eight billion taxpayer dollars spent, nearly 4,500 US soldiers killed, over 32,000 seriously wounded, and more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians dead, we now can assert that our government invaded Iraq based on a big lie." (April 2, 2012; photo Wikipedia)
Vivian Stromberg born Brooklyn, NY August 16, 1941 (d. 2015). Freedom Rider. Nuclear Freeze organizer, 1982. Co-founded women’s human rights organization MADRE, 1983; Executive Director, 1990-2011. Opposed Contra War; sent aid to Iraqi women in Gulf War; offered aid in Balkan War.
“When you know your rights, instead of begging for something, you start asking that it not be taken away, Your whole body language changes; you stop crying.” (O Magazine, 2008; photo awid)
Anna Louise Strong born Friend, Nebraska November 24, 1885 (d. 1970). American journalist; pacifist; Socialist. Opposed WWI militarism and draft; defended conscientious objectors; arrested and tried for anti-conscription stand, not convicted by hung jury. Worked with AFSC Volga famine relief, 1921; long time supporter of Communist China.
"Victory depends not on the power of weapons, but on awakening of consciousness of man." (Beijing, 1956; photo wikicom pd)
Ruth Suckow Nuhn born Hawarden, IA August 6, 1892 (d. 1960). Quaker novelist and poet who supported conscientious objection in World War II.
"[T]urning away from. . . the doctrine, not of power and might and darkness, but of goodwill, of lives of communal, not tribal effort, and light, more light." (New Hope, 1942)
Gila Svirsky (née Schwartz) born Iselin, NJ September 25, 1946. Israeli peace activist. Co-founded B'Tselem, working for human rights in occupied territories; co-founded Coalition of Women for Peace, 2000. Has maintained a vigil since 1988 for Women in Black holding sign: "End the Occupation."
"Without a negotiated peace for Jerusalem, for which the United States is the linchpin, the unrelenting suffering of Palestinians will continue, Israel will remain insecure and its national values debased, and the United States will continue to pay a price in blood and treasure. Is that enough?" (Ark. Times, September 11, 2009; photo Just Vision)
Amy Swerdlow born New York, New York January 20, 1923 (d. 2012). Peace advocate. Co-founded Women Strike for Peace, 1961; historian of Women Strike for Peace.
“WSP’s greatest achievement in the 1960s was to make nuclear arms a women’s issue. It politicized maternal values and made clear to participants and supporters that the personal is political and that the private and public spheres are one.” (Women Strike for Peace, p. 243; photo jwa.org)
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
