Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Champions for Peace: Women Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize

Only seventeen 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 women's 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." Review 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 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 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 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 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 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 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