Musings: Women & Peace…
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
Musings: Women & Peace… Nobel Peace Prize Winner – President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Musings: Women & Peace… All Three Nobel Peace Prize Winners via LA Times
I was thrilled when I heard the news about the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winners because no women had won this prize since 2004 when the late Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt movement in Kenya, won it. Historically, women have always participated in peace movements but our contributions have not always been given center stage or the accolades that men receive. Even with the Nobel Peace Prize, throughout its long and illustrious history, only 14 of the 121 Nobel awardees have been female.
The three 2011 recipients: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the President of Liberia since 2006, Leymah Gbowee, author of Mighty Be Our Powers and leader in the Liberian Women’s peace movement featured in the documentary – Pray The Devil Back to Hell, and Tawakkul Karman, journalist and Chairwoman of Women Journalists Without Chains (a human rights group), were jointly awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts at building peace in Liberia and Yemen. This is a step forward in recognizing the efforts women make towards achieving women’s right, gender equity, economic/political female leadership and peace. As well as our efforts at ending gender violence globally. The accolades are fantastic and my wish is that more women leaders are celebrated and encouraged globally. More Below. 🙂
“We cannot achieve lasting peace in the world unless women receive the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.” Thorbjoen Jagland, Nobel Prize Committee Chairman
Musings: Women & Peace… PBS Women, War & Peace logo…
http://www-tc.pbs.org/video/media/swf/PBSPlayer.swf
Watch the full episode. See more Women War and Peace.
Women are important influencers in the household, and more of us need to be actively engaged in influencing peaceful change globally; particularly in war torn areas. As a way to focus on the efforts of women in places of conflict around the world, PBS will begin airing a powerful documentary series: Women, War & Peace next week… each week, the series will tackle a specific area in the world and present in-depth information on conflicts women have faced/continue to face. As the site suggests, “Women, War & Peace spotlights the stories of women in conflict zones from Bosnia to Afghanistan and Colombia to Liberia, placing women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security, and reframing our understanding of modern warfare.”
I encourage you to watch the series and learn more about the role women play globally. Below is more information on the series:
October 11 – I Came to Testify: 16 women imprisoned by Serb-led forces in the Bosnian town of Foca broke history’s great silence – and took the witness stand in an international court of law.
October 18 – Pray the Devil Back to Hell: In a non-violent movement, Liberian women took a stand against dictator Charles Taylor to put a stop to the brutal civil
October 25 – Peace Unveiled: Three women in Afghanistan risk their lives to take a stand for women’s rights
November 1 – The War We Are Living: Two Afro-Colombian women in Cauca, a mountainous region in Colombia’s Pacific southwest, bravely stand against a violent struggle for land.
November 8 – War Redefined: A closer look and challenge of the notion that war and peace are men’s domain – interviews with leading thinkers.
“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” Peace Pilgrim
Musings: Women & Peace… Nobel Peace Prize Medal…
A few good things that will/might come out of the recent Nobel Peace Prize award include shining a spotlight on the role women play in peacekeeping efforts, showcasing the struggles fought globally against gender violence, advocating the need for greater female participation in influencing development, and taking another look at female conditions in countries that don’t regularly make the evening news. It’s about time… What are your thoughts? What did you think of the 2011 Nobel Prize awardees? Who would you have picked as a recipient? Do you think women get unequal treatment? Do share? Thank you! 🙂
This post was partly inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Who do you know that deserves a peace prize?
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
Positive Motivation Tip: Leadership begins with thoughtful action that empowers and changes lives. Seek the leader within…
Related articles
- 2011 Nobel Peace Prize (parquealuche.wordpress.com)
- 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Winners: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, Tawakkul Karman (VIDEO) (blippitt.com)
- President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Wins 2011 Nobel Peace Prize (theroot.com)
- US Secretary-General’ Statement on the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize (appablog.wordpress.com)
- Women’s Rights Pioneers Win Nobel Peace Prize (npr.org)
- 2011 Nobel Peace Prize goes to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman (100gf.wordpress.com)
- Nobel Peace Prize Winners President Ellen Johnson-sirleaf, Leymah Ghowee & Tawakul Karman (binsidetv.net)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Nobel Peace Prize Medal, via Wikipedia. All three winners via LA Times/EPA, Associated Press, Reuters
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Congratulations to these women of change and inspiration. I always admire the value of women, their compassion, love, genuineness, dedication. I grew up surrounded by extraordinary women, its time the world recognize their heroism. Great post. I toast to you and all the women out there.
TY! I admire strong women too and there are many more where these ladies came from… In the meantime, I’d say kudos to the Nobel Peace Prize winners… Hurray for all women too. 🙂
Three amazing woman, Elizabeth. Great to see women recognised for the Nobel Peace Prize. While women have been known to lead their people into war, I do believe women are more inclined to find better ways of conflict resolution if at all possible.
Yes, Robyn, given the history of the Nobel Prize and women, it is a victory and cause for celebration…then we need more. And yes, we are great at resolving conflicts… win, win situations. TY! 🙂
Team Oyeniyi, I agree totally with you. I am amazed at the tremenous qualities in strong women and to see women recognised for the Nobel Prize. Women are more inclined to find better solutions for conflict resolutions!! It is our natural instinct !! 🙂
Now if only we would collaborate more with each other, treat each other with love and respect, and drop the petty hatreds and jealousies, we’d be on a roll… 😉
we waited much too long till at least we have three female Nobel Peace Prize Winners! but now we can be satisfied. it should become a rule (says my wife Barbara) that only women get the yearly Nobel Peace Prize!
I love Barbara’s idea…Why not! It would encourage more of us to get involved. TY1 🙂
I’ve set a link to your post trying to use the wordpress tool PRESS THIS!
happy with you: Frizz, Germany
TY Frizztext! Love it and will check it out in the morning to read more. Awesome. 🙂
I was thrilled with this year’s choice. I’m with you, I think it’s past time women were recognized for their hard work to make this world a better place for all of us.
TY Rumpydog… I feel that more needs to be done too…including electing more women into positions of leadership in the political arena… 🙂
What these women are doing on the other side of the world is very hard and important work. Each of them are brilliant and committed to help others. So glad they have been recognized. Unfortunately, I believe we have a long way to go to recognize, at a very local versus international level, contributions of women, with the equality and respect women everywhere deserve. This acknowledgement is an important part of getting there! Thanks for sharing such an important story here, Elizabeth!
Ty Karen and I agree with you on the subject. We pay a lot of lip service to women’s equality in many arenas; even some women don’t believe we deserve it… (cringing). So we do have a long road to travel till we get to that place of equity. TY! 🙂
Great post. Each has had such a hard life. Really makes you think.
I feel the same way about their struggles and challenges… Sad really that a lot of the abuse and bad stuff is kept hidden… Glad they won too. 🙂 TY! 🙂
Yeah! It’s a beautiful thing in the world. Thank you for your post, so well done. I’m going to reblog it on mine.
TY for the reblog! I will stop by to thank you on your blog shortly… It was a thrill to read about it in the news and because I have written about both Liberian women on my blog before, I wanted to share this too. TY! 🙂
Thank you for the thoughts about women. Yes, it’s really about time that women get recognized for their influence on peace. Hopefully the Nobel Prize committee will keep the focus on women’s achievements in the future.
I do hope they continue to honor women and showcase the efforts women around the world make; especially those who live under challenging conditions… I will stop by your blog to say hello soon. TY! 🙂
BRAVA! BRAVA! BRAVA! I honestly believe when we reach the point of more women in power we will universally see more peace. Excellent post Elizabeth. I’m sharing!
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My sentiments are the same about the need to recognize women’s power. I’m glad to read positive achievements women get… TY! 🙂
Behind every great man there is a greater woman!
Aye, aye and greater children to boot! 🙂 TY!
“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” Peace Pilgrim
Wonderful post and terrific news. Peace!
I expect you would enjoy this:
http://creatingreciprocity.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/women-transcending-boundaries-a-butterfly-effect-for-change/
TY Nancy! I will check out the post… if I haven’t already done so… Yes, it is a great day for peace and for women. 🙂
Great post on amazing and brave women. Unfortunately I can’t get PBS here but have forwarded your blog to my sister in LA so that she can watch and tell me all about the series. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
TY Judith… Good to see you here. It;s been a while. Terrific that your sister will watch and share with you… Maybe she could record it too and send to you… TY! 🙂
Wow.. really? It’s always inspiring to see women excel in their own fields… Kudos to all the women in the world who continue to pursue excellence!
Kudos and Brava to all of them… I am proud of their achievement and I pray more of us will receive same. TY! 🙂
Congratulations to all the women and to you, Elizabeth, for reminding us of their simply spectacular achievements. Women do wield way more power but many of them are busy doing the work instead of focusing on the accolades. Well done!
Thank you for the reblog Manonmona… I don’t see it on your blog though… Love the format of your blog. TY for stopping by to like this post. 🙂
manonmona reblogged this on Espacio de MANON.