Debora Maria Da Silva

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Overview

Débora Maria Da Silva born Recife, Brazil August 21, 1960. Founded Mothers of May seeking justice for government slaughter of 600 citizens Sao Paulo May 2006; FOR peace award 2016.

Quotations

“We suffer anguish because the impunity is what hurts the most. People raise a child and the state kills it. Mothers don't symbolize death, but life.” (“Mothers of May”, April 28, 2010 upsidedownworld.com; photo gettyimages.com)

Serafina Dávalos

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Overview

Serafina Dávalos Alfonze born Ajos (now Coronel Oviedo), Paraguay September 25, 1883 (d. 1957). Pioneer feminist; first woman lawyer, Supreme Court justice 1908-9; professor and founder university; founded Committee of Women for Peace 1904 trying to prevent civil war.

Quotations

"The democratic character of the State is pure ‘myth’, because ‘democracy’, which means sine qua non equality, freedom. . . cannot admit privileges of birth, being born male or female." (Int. Feminist Conference, 1910, in Michelle Bachelet, Leuven, June 10, 2015; photo abc.com.py)

Lia Diskin

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Overview

Lia Diskin (aka Leonor Beatriz Diskin Pawlowicz) born Buenos Aires, Argentina October 27, 1950. Gandhian disciple and professor. Created Gandhi Network; began Gandhi Day Sao Paulo, 1982. Founded Palas Athena Association for a culture of peace, 1972. Received Jamnalal Bajaj Gandhi Award, 2010.

Quotations

“[T]he most valuable discovery human beings can make this century might be finding out the value of the word ‘we.’” (Diskin and Roizman, Peace, How to Make It, 2002; photo escolhaacalma.org.br)

Heyde Maria Duran-de Lopez

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Overview

Heyde Maria Durán-de Lopez born Palmira, Colombia March 9, 1939. Diplomat. Doctor of law; peacemaker in civil war. Junior Minister for Shantytowns.

Quotations

“We have to start by forgiving: ourselves for what we have done wrong and with equal largeness of heart ‘our enemies.’ We have been born into a society convulsed with hate and ambition: may the next generation learn to love and forgive so they can live in peace.” (Michael Henderson, All Her Paths Are Peace, 1994, p. 124; photo congressovisible)

Patricia Durrant

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Overview

Mignonette Patricia Durrant born Jamaica May 30, 1943. Jamaican diplomat. Ambassador to Germany, 1987-92; Director-General Jamaican Foreign Ministry, 1992-95. Chaired preparatory session on "A World Fit for Children," 2000; President of UN Security Council, emphasizing effect of war on women and children, 2001; first UN Ombudsman, 2002-07.

Quotations

"We therefore call upon all states to commit themselves to maintaining only the levels of arms necessary for self defense, to reject weapons of mass destruction and to take steps necessary to eliminate them." (Oct. 21, 1997 for Caricom at UN; photo UNICEF)