100 Years of Work for Peace and Freedom

2nd International WILPF Congress, Zurich, Switzerland, 1919 (Photo from Swarthmore College Peace Collection)

In 1915, at the height of the First World War, 1300 women from a wide range of countries and cultures came together in the Hague, brought together by a mutual horror of the consequences of war and a desire to live in peace. They formed the International Congress of Women to study, make known and eliminate the causes of war. Now known as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the group continues to work for peace by pushing an agenda of disarmament and increased inclusion of women in all decision-making aspects of peace and security.

For almost 100 years, WILPF’s work has included:

• Working against arms escalation and drawing attention to the disproportionate amount of resources allocated to military expenditures
• Providing American president Woodrow Wilson with nine of his famous 14 Points
• Rallying support for creation of the League of Nations
• Monitoring and contributing to the work of the League of Nations and, after 1945, the United Nations
• organising women’s dialogues in the Middle East since 1920
• providing housing for refugees during WWII
• participating in non-governmental organization (NGO) committees which follow the United Nations’ work on human rights, disarmament and development
• working for an end to nuclear testing and the elimination of nuclear weapons
• opposing the Vietnam War and sending several delegations of women to North and South Vietnam
• sending fact-finding missions to conflict areas around the world
• supporting the first gathering of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations
• leading the NGOs that pushed for Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

Building WILPF for the future

We live in a time of global uncertainty – nuclear weapons and women's issues are at the forefront of international affairs. This is the moment to accelerate our efforts to build a world of freedom, peace and security. We must do the following:

Make WILPF a stronger, larger and more visible organization.

Create a solid international groundwork for the elimination of militarism and oppression.

Continue to encourage women’s participation in the discussion and the decision-making process of
critical issues such as peace, security, nuclear weapons and human rights.

Help WILPF build an endowment to ensure our ability to continue our work toward a lasting and sustainable peace.

No More War Demonstration, ca. 1920s (Photo from Swarthmore College Peace Collection)

Celebrating the History of our International Organization

Each year on 28 April – our official birthday – WILPF distributes information about WILPF’s past achievements as well as our vision for the future. In 2015, WILPF will host a conference for our 100th anniversary.
 
In addition to a meeting in the Hague, celebratory events will be held on national and local levels; WILPF sections all around the world will delve into and share the unique history of their work.
WILPF will also be producing a wide range of materials to commemorate three generations of pur history and vision: leaflets, books, pamphlets, a photo exhibition and a short film.

Linda Mongeau at STAR March/ Demonstration, Brussels (Belgium),
1983 (Photo from Swarthmore College Peace Collection)

 

 

 

 

How to join the Committee of 100

If you want to support the celebrations of WILPF’s 100th anniversary you have several options. You can make a donation of 1000 US Dollars, 1000 Euro or 1000 Swiss Francs straight away or pledge to do so in the future.

The easiest way to make a donation is to click on the PayPal button below and pay with a credit card. You can also choose to make a bank transfer to one of our bank accounts or send a check. Please, specify your donation as Committee of 100.

 

	The Committee of 100 Edith Ballantyne (Switzerland) Martha Jean Baker (UK) (pledged) Regina Birchem (USA) (pledged) Annelise Ebbe (Denmark) Mary Day Kent (USA) Barbara Lochbihler (Germany) Joyce McLean (USA) Carol Pendell  (USA) Susi Snyder (International) Nagako Sugimori (Japan)

 

For other payment options click here