The fifth chapter of The Power of Nonviolence: Writings by Advocates of Peace brings us into the 20th Century with a section from Jane Addams 1907 book Newer Ideals of Peace.  She is the first woman’s voice we hear in The Power of Nonviolence.  Her approach to peace work is informed by her work battling poverty, furthering feminism and engaging in  electoral politics.

Addams paid a dear price for her pacifism.  She was attacked by the newspapers of her day, including the New York Times, for her opposition to entering World War I.  Dr. King was similarly attacked the leading newspapers, including the Times, for his opposition to the Vietnam War.  Despite this she worked for peace internationally and became  founding president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Some believe her opposition to participation in World War I, was the reason he Nobel Peace prize was delayed until 1931.

The first paragraph from the selection from Newer Ideals of Peace subtly brings forward her belief that women are needed in politics to bring forward peace to create a “change in men’s attitude toward war”.  This became the focus of her argument for women’s suffrage. Continue reading First US Woman to Win the Nobel Peace Prize 10/17/11 →