Kusala Abhayavardhana

Overview

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Kusala Abhayavardhana born Ceylon November 1, 1920. Sri Lankan member of parliament 1970-7; WILPF national chair; co-founded Civil Service International in Sri Lanka; founding secretary International Women’s Year Sri Lanka.

Quotations

[T]his year is not only for women's liberation but for the liberation of the whole of our society from the shackles that keep us imprisoned in our poverty and unemployment.” (“Listen to Women for a Change”, Kay Camp; photo lankareporter.co)

Shinjita Alam

Overview

Shinjita Alam (née Hasina Akter) born Gandhabbapur, Lakshmipur, Bangladesh June 29, 1967. Muslim social worker and peace activist. Oversaw agricultural and job creation programs for Bangladesh Mennonite Central Committee. Started peace awareness committees, 2001. Developed conflict resolution programs for Bangladesh's Garo and Manipuri minority communities, 2006-07. Joined Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Women PeaceMakers Program, 2008.

Quotations

“Real education makes a person a compassionate human being who cares for the betterment of us all. Education gives us power to change things.” (Ilze Dzenovska,“The Candle of Bangladesh”, p. 34; photo bd.linkedin.com)

Aruna Asaf Ali

Overview

Aruna Asaf Ali (née Ganguly) born Kalka, Punjab, India July 16, 1908 (d. 1996). Socialist freedom fighter; "Grand Old Lady" of nonviolent independence movement; first mayor of Delhi; facilitated liberation of Goa; jailed in independence movement 1930, 1932, 1941; Nehru Peace Prize 1996, Lenin Peace Prize 1964.

Quotations

"I had decided we would not beg for freedom—we would fight for it."

Neidonuo Angami

Overview

Neidonuo Angami born Kohima, Nagaland, India October 1, 1950. Naga peacemaker. Co-founded Naga Mother’s Association, 1984. Led the "Shed No More Blood" campaign to end civil war, 1994. Participated in many peace negotiations to bring about ceasefire, 1997. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.

Quotations

"Peace is always in the making. It is not an event. There is no success in peace making. It is always in the making." (quote & photo worldpeoplesblog)

Aung San Suu Kyi

Overview

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Aung San Suu Kyi born Rangoon, Burma June 19, 1945. Politician; human rights advocate. Lived 15 years under house arrest as political prisoner. Received Sakharov Prize, 1990; Nobel Peace Prize, 1991; Nehru Award, 1992.

Quotations

If we love and cherish each other as much as we can while we can, I am sure love and compassion will triumph in the end.” (letter to Michael Aris, c. 1971)

The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to resolve in more enduring, tolerant, just, and peaceful life for all." (Krishna Malik, “Three Case Studies”; photo Nobel Prize)