Tep Vanny

Overview

Tep Vanny born Phnom Penh, Cambodia April 12, 1980. Human rights activist. Jailed for peaceful protest, 2012. Received Vital Voices Global Leadership Award for her efforts to preserve Boeung Kak Lake in land conflict, 2013.

Quotations

“The way [Cambodian] women demonstrate is not physical. They use their voices. It is a collection of voices to spread awareness. For men, there is more violence. When someone commits violence against them, they feel like they must fight back, but it is high risk because they can be accused of violence. With a woman’s strategy, we can endure it better. [Our] strategy reduces violence.” (April 1, 2013, Michelle Tolson, WIPnet; photo Vital Voices)

Genevieve Vaughn

Overview

Genevieve Vaughn born Corpus Christi, TX November 21, 1935. American resident of Italy; semiotician; promoted Gift Economy; peace advocate, founder Feminist International for Peace and Food 1984; sponsored Peace Tent at Nairobi Women’s conference 1984; Women’s peace meetings Moscow 1987; European Peace Caravans; US-Salvador women’s meeting 1991; Women’s Peace Caravan to end the Nuclear Age 1994; Colombian women on Peace Boat 2001.

Quotations

“I have witnessed the waste of the world’s wealth on armaments, justified by military paranoia. It is no longer only the transfer of the (free)’gift’ of wealth from the poor to the rich that is the problem, but the defense of that transfer by the military, and resources wasted on that defense. We have fostered institutions of Patriarchal paranoia, instead of institutions of human nurturing and the creation of community.” (The Gift Economy; photo MAGO E*magazine)

Andresia Vaz

Overview

Andrésia Vaz born Senegal February 4, 1944. Judge; first President of Senegalese Supreme Court, 1997. Elected to International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, 2001; appointed to Appeals Chamber, 2005.

Quotations

"Vincent Rutaganira is guilty of extermination as a crime against humanity, for having by omission, aided and abetted the massacre of thousands of Tutsi civilians who had taken refuge at Mubugu Church." (Decision §169, March 14, 2005; photo ICTY)

Simone Veil

Overview

Simone Veil (née Jacob) born Nice, France July 13, 1927. "First Lady of Europe". First woman president European Parliament 1979; first woman winner of Charlemagne Prize for European unity and peace 1981; Auschwitz survivor.

Quotations

"I am placing my hope in Europe, in a Europe that has overcome hatred and barbarism to commit itself to achieving peace and solidarity between the peoples of Europe."

"What a country calls its vital interests are not things that help its people live, but things that help it make war." (Ecrites Historiques, 1960; photo femmescelebres.com)

Ann M. Veneman

Overview

Ann Margaret Veneman born Modesto, CA June 29, 1949. Executive Director of UNICEF 2005-2010. First woman Secretary of Agriculture 2001-5 lowered tariffs in Doha Round; promoted Malaria No More.

Quotations

"Wars must never be fought by children. Whether children are forcibly recruited, join armed groups in order to escape poverty or hunger, or enlist to actively support a cause, the first loss is their childhood." (to UNICEF, March 18, 2006; photo Wikipedia)

Patricia Verdugo

Overview

Patricia Verdugo Aguirre born Santiago, Chile October 20, 1947 (d. 2008). Journalist and author of 10 books chronicling Pinochet’s human rights abuses. Co-founded magazine Hoy (“Today”), critical of the ruling dictatorship, 1977. Co-founded the Women's Movement for Life, protesting human rights abuses, 1983. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

On her childhood: "There was no violence. That is what I wish for my grandchildren, the ones that have yet to be born." (quote and photo worldpeoplesblog)

Marta Vergara

Overview

Marta Vergara born Santiago, Chile January 2, 1898 (d. 1995). Chilean feminist pioneer; author and journalist. Communist; anti-imperialist opponent of US military intervention. Delegate to League of Nations. Represented Chile at Conference on Codification of International Law, 1930.

Quotations

“Today before the danger of world conflagration we must re-initiate with new vigor the fight against war.” (Aug. 17, 1936 to Doris Stevens, Katherine Marino, in Miescher, ed., Gender, Imperialism, p. 270; c. 1931 photo joseline-linko)

Willemijn Verloop

Overview

Willemijn Verloop born Utrecht, Netherlands February 14, 1970. Dutch peace activist. Founded War Child Netherlands in response to Bosnian conflict, 1994.

Quotations

"The war had a devastating effect on children. They were often withdrawn, fearful and distrustful. The creative workshops took the child in them back up." (Rotary Neth. Interview, 2010; photo War Child Netherlands)

Jeannette Vermeersch

Overview

Jeannette Vermeersch (née Julie Vermeersch) born La Madaleine, Nord, France November 26, 1910 (d. 2001). French Communist leader who consistently opposed wars; demanded Immediate Withdrawal from Vietnam 1950; opposed nuclear weapons in France 1949; opposed Algerian War; against German rearmament 1957; openly opposed Russian invasion of Hungary 1957.

Quotations

“You forget, ladies and gentlemen, the Vietnamese people are well off in their land. It is not they who have invaded, but you!” (Jan. 27, 1950 National Assembly debate, in Ruscio, p. 35; photo ina.fr)

Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold

Overview

Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold born Solothurn, Switzerland March 11, 1941. Ethnologist; advocate for peace in Africa. Member of Swiss parliament and European Council. Her organization 1000 PeaceWomen, also known as PeaceWomen Across the Globe, nominated 1000 women for 2005 Nobel Peace Prize to highlight women's efforts in forging peace.

Quotations

“Everywhere I meet women who perform reconstruction and peace work in extremely dangerous surroundings. It is women who are victims of war. It is women who weep for the dead; they are the survivors who press for a return to peace. Courageous and resolute, and without regard for personal safety, they demand peace.” (Peacework, Dec. 2005; photo Wikipedia)

Madeleine Vernet

Overview

Madeleine Vernet born Le Houlme, Normandy, France September 3, 1878 (d. 1949). French journalist, poet and teacher; anarchist, militant pacifist who opposed all wars; founded League of Women Against War 1921; started Volonté de Paix 1927; promoted conscientious objection.

Quotations

Mothers, sacred cradle of humanity
Sow, sow love and brotherhood
("Poem To Mothers!" March 1916)

"Peace is not merely the absence of war, it is also material security." (March 19, 1918, in Sandi Cooper, "French Feminists." Peace & Change, p. 24, Jan. 2011; photo estelnegre.org)

Mabel Vernon

Overview

Mabel Vernon born Wilmington, DE September 10, 1883 (d. 1975). Quaker pacifist; suffragist speaker and organizer; one of first six arrested in White House protests 1917; organized WILPF Peace Caravan 1931; directed Peoples Mandate against War 1935; promoted Good Neighbor policy in Latin America; lobbied against UN veto 1945.

Quotations

"We are called the Iron Jawed Angels. Is that supposed to be an insult?" (attributed to Vernon, 2004 film; photo Library of Congress)

Maria Verone

Overview

Maria Vérone born Paris, France June 20, 1874 (d. 1938). French feminist and pacifist lawyer, journalist and editor; first woman to plead before French appeals court 1903; 20-year president of French League for Rights of Women.

Quotations

"To suppress war, women must vote." (motto of League for Rights of Women)

"War against war!" (Rome, May 15, 1914, in Karen Offen, European Feminisms, p. 249, 2000; photo jeanlouislebreton.com)

Melanne Verveer

Overview

Melanne Verveer born Pottsville, PA June 24, 1944. First US Ambassador for Women's Global Issues 2009; co-founded Vital Voices Global Partnership for empowering women 2000.

Quotations

"Violence against women is endemic around the world. It not only undermines the possibility of gender equality, it negatively affects women’s healthcare, education, and political and economic participation. The United States places a priority on combating violence against women." (United Nations, March 3, 2010; photo State Dept.)

Azucena Villaflor

Overview

Azucena Villaflor De Vicenti born Avellaneda, Argentina April 7, 1924 (d. 1977). “Mother of the Mothers.” Martyred founder of Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, protesting disappearances, 1977. Herself, disappeared and murdered, 1977.

Quotations

To a soldier's order to disperse: “We’re just taking some sun.” (Paola Gianturko, Grandmother Power, p. 151; photo scholarship t.edu)

Fanny Garrison Villard

Overview

Fanny Garrison Villard (née Helen Garrison) born Roxbury, Boston, MA December 16, 1844 (d. 1928). Nonviolent founder of NAACP, Women's Peace Society, 1919.

Quotations

"My inherited principles of Non-Resistance. . . seem as essential to me as the breath of life and paramount to all others." (Pref. To William Lloyd Garrison on Non-Resistance; 1913 photo Budapest wikicom pd)

Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti

Overview

Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti born Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil March 27, 1956. UN Chief of Staff 2016; Brazilian diplomat; President UN Security Council Feb. 2011.

Quotations

"As a multidimensional threat, terrorism must be addressed from a holistic approach that takes into consideration the diversity of its underlying causes. Radicalism and violence often stem from longstanding social, political, economic and cultural exclusion, amidst which a culture of intolerance may thrive. Development and inclusiveness are key tools to combat terrorism." (quote & photo Wikipedia)

Vera Vohlídalová

Overview

Vera Vohlídalová born London, England February 8, 1942. Librarian. Child of exiled Czech-German parents. Founded Building of Peace and Reconciliation, Liberec, Czech Republic, 1995. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

“Culture is not only an uplifting of the human spirit, human art, thought and enjoyment but it also includes the art of basic human understanding, listening to, helping and assisting one another, of knowing oneself as well as others.” (Liber Quarterly 2000; photo World Citizens Blog)

Antje Vollmer

Overview

Antje Vollmer born Lübbecke, Westphalia, Germany May 31, 1943. Lutheran pastor. Served in Bundestag for 22 years. Joined Green Party, 1983; Vice-President Bundestag 1994-2005. Arrested for peace demonstration, Dresden, 1983. Early voice against NATO expansion, 1997; opposed Kosovo as violation of international law; supported conscientious objection law. Criticized Afghanistan war; strongly opposed Iraq War; signed appeal "Another War in Europe? Not in our Name!", 2014. Awarded Hannah Arendt Prize, 1998.

Quotations

"Strengthening the UN, international law, legality, building political structures and institutions—all this has priority before war fantasies." (Die Zeit, April 27, 2003)

Lula Vollmer

Overview

Lula Vollmer born Keyser, NC March 7, 1889 (d. 1955). Broadway actress and playwright. Appalachian folk play “Sun-up” (1923) features nonviolence: Widow Cagle counsels draft resistance and shelters conscientious objector; decides not to kill for killing her husband, concluding that peace can come only from love and realizing our common humanity.

Quotations

“As long as thar is hate thar will be feuds—and wars.” (“Sun-up”, p. 77)

“Thar ain’t no reason for war, unless us poor folks fight the rich uns for the way they air bleedin’ us to death.” (Ibid., pp. 2-3)

“[H]it’s lovin’ them all that counts.” (Ibid., p. 79); photo ncpedia.org)