Jo Vallentine

Overview

Josephine “Jo” Vallentine born Perth, Australia May 30, 1946. Australian Quaker peace activist. Represented Nuclear Disarmament party in Senate, 1985-92. Arrested and jailed for Pine Gap protest, 1987; marched on Clark Air Base, Philippines, 1989. Co-founded Alternatives to Violence Project, 1994; made Peace Pilgrimage part of Anti-Nuclear Alliance, 1997; took part in Jabiluka campaign against uranium mine, 1998.

Quotations

“Extraordinary circumstances like the threat of nuclear war require ordinary citizens to take extraordinary action.” (The Age, Oct. 19, 1987)

Anna Vroland

Overview

Anna Vroland (née Fellowes) born Ascot Vale, Victoria, Australia May 7, 1902 (d. 1978). Australian peace activist and human rights leader. Secretary, Australian WILPF. Led fight for aboriginal rights, 1940s. First to protest nuclear tests in central Australia; lost job as headmistress because of political views.

Quotations

“Let the religious put their emphasis on spiritual force if they can; and let the educators if they can, try to answer the questions the young ask. The time is now. If the arms race and the mad escalation of wars is not halted, how can there be any tomorrow?” (The Age, May 4, 1970; photo indigenousrights.net.au)