WOMEN OF PEACE

Lost women aren't often "lost" they are just misplaced. When women earn recognition often their distinctions are not as hearlded as those of men. Their records get "lost" in the shuffle and it takes effort to memorialize their accomplishments. Since this is often neglected, women of talent become "lost" and people ask "Who are the famous women _____?" (Fill in the blank with any occupation or achievement and then see how many women in this area you can name.) The winners of the Nobel Prize are often held up as people of distinction worthy of honor although few of us could probably be able to name the winners in any one category unless it was related to our specific interests. Here, however, is a list of notable Nobel Prize winners to refresh your memory in the area of peace.

1905 Bertha von Sutter (7th recipient and the first woman awarded the prize) a novelist and ardent pacifist who wrote Die Wffen Nieder (tr. Lay Down Your Arms) published in 1889 and influenced Alfred to establish yearly prizes for merit in physics, chemistry, medicine, physiology, literature and world peace.

1931 Jane Adams (1860-1935) American social reformer who established Hull House in Chicago. She helped form the National Progressive Party (1912) and the women's Peace Party. She shared her prize with Nicholas Murray Butler.

1946 Emily Green Bach (1867-1961) American economist and sociologist who was International Secretary of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She shared her prize with John R. Mott.

1976 Betty Williams, of Northern Ireland

1979 Mother Theresa of Calcutta (1910-) Albanian born Roman Catholic nun, founder of Missionaries of Charity.

1991 Aung San Suu Kye (1949-) Burmese leader of nonviolent movement for human rights and restoration of democracy in Burma. Under house arrest since 1989.

1992 Rigoberta Mechu Tum (1959) Guatemalan activist for human rights and for rights of indigenous people. Her dictated thoughts on Guatemalan culture to Venezuelan anthropologist Elizabeth B. Dubray were published under the title I, Rogoberta Menchu.

Thanks to Jane Fong, these peices were gotten from her article "In Honor of Women Warriors, Part II: the Legacy of Alfred and Bertha" from the Women's Press, April 1997. The above is not meant ot be an exhaustive list. Readers are encouraged to go and find out more about these women and others.

What women do you think should be included in a list of women to remember?

Send me your comments: email me at: bmori@oboe.calpoly.edu

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1905	Bertha von Sutter (7th recipient and the first woman awarded the prize) a novelist and ardent pacifist who wrote Die Wffen Nieder (tr. Lay Down Your Arms) published in 1889 and influenced Alfred to establish yearly prizes for merit in physics, chemistry, medicine, physiology, literature and world peace.
1931	Jane Adams (1860-1935) American social reformer who established Hull House in Chicago. She helped form the National Progressive Party (1912) and the women's Peace Party. She shared her prize with Nicholas Murray Butler.
1946	Emily Green Bach (1867-1961) American economist and sociologist who was International Secretary of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She shared her prize with John R. Mott.
1976	Betty Williams, of Northern Ireland
1979	Mother Theresa of Calcutta (1910-) Albanian born Roman Catholic nun, founder of Missionaries of Charity.
1991	Aung San Suu Kye (1949-) Burmese leader of nonviolent movement for human rights and restoration of democracy in Burma. Under house arrest since 1989.
1992	Rigoberta Mechu Tum (1959) Guatemalan activist for human rights and for rights of indigenous people. Her dictated thoughts on Guatemalan culture to Venezuelan anthropologist Elizabeth B. Dubray were published under the title I, Rogoberta Menchu.