Anasuya Sarabhai

Overview

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Anasuya Sarabhai AKA Motaben born November 11, 1885 (d. 1972). Fabian Socialist; feminist; Gandhian labor organizer; daughter of textile manufacturer.  Used nonviolent resistance in textile strike, 1918; organized India's first labor union, 1920. Worked with Gandhi in Kheda Satyagraha, 1918. One of first signatories of Gandhi’s Satyagraha pledge opposing the Rowlatt Act, 1919.

Quotations

"Ask yourself what is right and what is wrong—and once you have decided, act fearlessly in the cause that you believe in." (paraphrase of advice to Ela Bhatt, Ela Bhatt, J. Sreenivasan, 2000, p. 41; photo wikimedia)

Nafis Sadik

Overview

Nafis Sadik born Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India July 18, 1929. Pakistani physician, Director of UN Population Fund 1987-2000; Secretary-General UN Population Conference, Cairo, 1994.

Quotations

"[D]evelopment that lays a sound basis for global justice, peace and security, depends on women’s empowerment and equality." (International Women’s Day, March 8, 2005; photo iisd.ca)

Sima Samar

Overview

Sima Samar born Jaghori, Afghanistan February 3, 1957. UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Sudan, 2005; current Chairperson of Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. Recipient of numerous human rights awards, including the Tipperary International Peace Prize, 2010.

Quotations

"We need solidarity to free women—solidarity with women everywhere. Women must support each other; we are our own class." (Ms. Magazine, Winter 2007; 2011 photo Wikipedia)

Kshama Sawant

Overview

Kshama Sawant born Pune, India October 17, 1973. American social activist; economics professor. Socialist member of Seattle City Council, 2014-present. Arrested for participation in Occupy protest blocking eviction, 2012, and Seatac minimum wage protest, 2014. Opposed Israel-Gaza war.

Quotations

“It is the responsibility of elected officials everywhere to openly speak out to stop the humanitarian catastrophe, and to condemn it in the strongest possible terms... All killing of innocent people, women and children especially, should be condemned. And the last month of killings of Palestinians in Gaza is not only stomach-turning, it is only one in a long and documented series of war crimes stretching over decades. This has been happening with the tacit or overt complicity of US imperialism.” (Aug. 4, 2014 speech; photo seattle.gov)

Irom Chanu Sharmila

Overview

Irom Chanu Sharmila born Imphal, India March 14, 1972. Nonviolent Gandhian disciple; human rights advocate; journalist; poet. Known as the "Iron Lady of Manipur." Began hunger strike to protest civilian deaths at the hands of the Indian military, 2000-2016; due to hunger strike, has been repeatedly arrested for attempted suicide and force-fed via feeding tube.

Quotations

“[T]here was no other means to stop further violations by the armed forces against innocent people.” (K. Joshi interview, Mar. 25, 2006)

“I do not want to commit suicide. Mine is only a non-violent protest. . . I love life. I do not want to take my life but I want justice and peace.” (Independent, Mar. 4, 2013; photo worldpeoplesblog)

Vandana Shiva

Overview

Vandana Shiva born Dheradun, India November 5, 1952. Nuclear physicist; nonviolent environmental advocate; Gandhian; ecofeminist; opposed Iraq War; awarded Alternate Nobel Prize, 1993; awarded Sydney Peace Prize, 2010.

Quotations

"Women's full humanity becomes the healing force that can break the vicious circles of violence. . . Women are refusing to be part of the culture of hate and violence. Women in and through their lives, are showing that love and compassion, sharing and giving are not just possible human qualities—they are necessary for us to be human." (Earth Democracy, p.  140)

T. S. Soundaram

Overview

T. S. Soundaram Ramachandran (née Iyengar) born Thirinulveli, Madras, India August 18, 1904 (d. 1984). Physician associate of Gandhi; active in Quit India movement; started Gandhigram program of rural health, education, development; founded Kasturba Hospital 1947; began Gandhigram Rural Institute 1947; member of national legislature 1957-67; as Deputy Minister of Education she introduced compulsory free education, and National Service.

Quotations

Small things add up to big results later.” (The Hindu, Feb. 24, 2014; photo geni.com)

Samina Faheem Sundas

Overview

Samina Faheem Sundas born Punjab, Pakistan July 19, 1955. American Muslim community organizer. Founded American Muslim Voice to cultivate interfaith dialogue, 2003. Awarded Fellowship of Reconciliation Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize, 2007.

Quotations

We have made beautiful relationships with all ethnicities and all faith groups. I know this path can take us to the peace that we all want in our world." (San Francisco Chronicle, March 16, 2014; photo Pakistanilink.org)