Champions for Peace: Women Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize

(Hardback, Third Edition)

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Only sixteen women have won the Nobel Prize for Peace since it was first awarded in 1901. Hailing from all over the world, some of these women have held graduate degrees, while others barely had access to education. Some began their work young, some late in life. In this compelling book, Judith Stiehm narrates these womens varied lives in fascinating detail. The third edition includes the story of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, the youngest laureate, who won as a teenager in 2014. Her campaign for girls education continued in spite of a vicious attack by the Taliban. Engaged and inspirational, all these women clearly demonstrate that there is something each of us can do to advance a just, positive peace. Whether they began by insisting on garbage collection or simply by planting a tree, each understood that peace must be global in order to be sustained. All learned that peace is not always popular, but believed they must persevere. They shared a common vision and commitment undiminished by obstacles and opposition. As Judith Stiehm convincingly shows, all are truly champions for peace.

Reviews

"This third edition of a volume about women Nobel Peace Prize winners includes the newest winner,

Malala Yousafzai, along with updated biographies of Aung San Suu Kyi, Jody Williams, Shirim Ebadi,

and other living women recipients of the award. In the introduction, political-science professor Stiehm

explains that the award has been given to six distinct types of recipients, and these distinctions help her

explain their differences but show how each woman's activism and courage led her to fight for social

justice and peace. The 20-page biographies are presented chronologically and begin by describing the time

period each woman worked in and how historical events helped shape their lives. The author then gives a

very detailed and readable account of the women's lives, beliefs, and actions, including their writings and

speeches. The in-depth biographies conclude with an analysis of the impact and importance of each

woman's work. A selected bibliography and an index are included. This work is highly recommended for

school, public, and college libraries and all women's-studies programs." --Booklist

"Once again, Judith Stiehm, who has done so much to shine light on women inside militaries, shows us what a feminist curiosity about war and peace can freshly reveal. Champions for Peace opens our jaded eyes to all the smart thinking and savvy activist work that women in many countries have been doing to chart what peace looks like and move us toward creating it." --Cynthia Enloe, author of Globalization and Militarism: Feminists Make the Link

"Champions for Peace is a book that was waiting to be written, and Judith Stiehm has handled the task with insight and verve. Give it to your daughter, but only after you absorb the inspiration yourself!" --Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

"A highly readable account of the diverse lives and times of remarkable women, united by their struggles for peace and justice. Judith Stiehm deserves our thanks for bringing their stories together." --J. Ann Tickner, American University

"Judith Stiehm's clear, crisp narrative carries us into the company of twelve remarkably ordinary women recognized for their extraordinary contributions to international peace and social justice. Though different in many ways, the Nobel Peace women have shared a gift for recognizing what needed to be done and pursuing it with dogged determination. Stiehm shows us that their 'heroism' is within reach of us all. This book is both a celebration and an inspiration." --Susan Waltz, former chairperson, Amnesty International's International Executive Committee

"An extraordinary story of champions--women who pursued peace. Some came from great wealth, others from poverty. All ages, religions, ethnic backgrounds--and all extraordinarily optimistic. A must-read for your soul." --Donna E. Shalala, president, University of Miami

"If you seek inspiration for instigating change, Stiehm's book will deliver. The earlier profiles are especially insightful, with the advantage of historical perspective. But the examples of all of these healers, writers, and peacemakers prove once again how one individual committed to goodness can lead civilization forward." --The Christian Science Monitor

"Useful, accessible book that every peace activist and every feminist should have on her or his shelf." --Journal Of International Women's Studies

"Judith Stiehm has written a wonderfully readable book about twelve gifted activist women who have been forces for change in the world. Stiehm reminds us that women have been critical to creating an understanding of peace, how difficult peace is to achieve, and what it takes to promote peaceful change. Their accomplishments are the more remarkable because these women were not presidents or prime ministers. Their power came not from political office or military strength, but from the force of their ideas, passion, and commitment to advancing a nonviolent vision of resolving conflicts. Stiehm's deft touch and engaging style presents these women so that we become familiar with their human sides as well as their remarkable achievements." --Pamela R. Aall, vice president for education, United States Institute of Peace

"The women who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize showcase a remarkably wide variety of personalities and interests. Thus, reading their histories provides us with a true sample of diversified greatness. All of these individuals have addressed wrongs largely created by men. All have performed challenging and unusual feats. Some have been--and remain--controversial. Professor Stiehm has done a great service for us in collecting their achievements and putting them in the larger context of the Peace Prize. This book will be an invaluable reference work." --Henrik Syse, senior research fellow, International Peace Research Institute, Oslo

"This is an excellent introduction to the women Nobel Peace Prize awardees. Stiehm packs a lot of information into limited space. The book is objectively written and academically sound while also being accessible to lay readers. It is a significant contribution to the growing body of literature about women and peace." --The Journal of Social Encounters

Author Bio

Judith Hicks Stiehm is professor of political science at Florida International University, where she has served as provost and academic vice president. Her books include Inside Defense: Understanding the U.S. Military in the 21st Century and The US Military: A Basic Introduction. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, holds the U.S. Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, and has been honored by the American Political Science Association with the Frank Goodnow Award.