Author Archives: June Edvenson

Amnesty’s goals brought attention to a darkness More widespread than many had previously thought: We discovered that nations cooperated, in starkness, Against freedom of expression, with a vigilance wrought Of tyranny, fear of the governed, and militant action. As the Amnesty movement grew – from a mere faction To a “Prisoners of Conscience” petition toContinue reading “1977 – Amnesty International – 2”

The winner this year was a neutral organization Whose focus was “prisoners of conscience,” persons elated – Who saw freedom due to the work of its members and devotees. “In brutal strife, your sword and shield shall be Belief in life and human dignity.” These lines were written by the poet, Nordahl Grieg, Expressing aContinue reading “1977 – Amnesty International”

“Wherever war stalks the land,” the killing of children Is the “logical result of the mindless brutality of War.” In this case, a housewife and aunt were the first to bend The hopeless resignation of thousands, rich and poor: “I stand here in the name of courage, to give name to a challenge,” Said Betty,Continue reading “1976 – Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan – 2”

The year was 1976, and Ireland was set to explode: The Irish Republican Army had just killed ten more Protestant men; Northern Ireland then lost control of their government – to England. Contemptible butchery on religious grounds continued, the stories told Of neighbour against neighbour, guerrillas imprisoned for murder and unrest. In August, three childrenContinue reading “1976 – Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan”

His brilliant and difficult research into nuclear physics and power Brought the hydrogen bomb to the Soviets. Now none could glower That they alone held survival of all in their hands – in an hour. But Sakharov emphatically argued nuclear’s potential for peace: Not only would its cataclysmic ‘signature’ prevent its use, But its powerContinue reading “1975 – Andrei Sakharov – 2”

Andrei Sakharov was born poor in Soviet Russia. His father, a physics professor, taught him. In Stalin’s Time, bleak, he continued in theoretical physics, ushered From the university to war work making munitions. He finished his doctorate as World War II was ending, And Russia was clamouring to make nuclear weapons, themselves. He joined thatContinue reading “1975 – Andrei Sakharov”

MacBride saw his father executed for his path Into the Irish fight for independence from Britain. He then rose as a fighter and lawyer, fighting both For a united and a free Ireland. He defended IRA members successfully in Irish courts, And rose as a statesman in Ireland and beyond. His work resulted in Ireland’sContinue reading “1974 – Sean MacBride”

Eisaku Sato was Asia’s first winner of the Prize. Japan’s Prime Minister from 1960, he’d used his position To encourage peace treaties with other Asian nations And to open new global trade routes and trading ties. In this way, he felt, the greatest leaps would be made Toward normalization of relations, through modern trade. SatoContinue reading “1974 – Eisaku Sato”

These two men formed the diplomatic helm Of the Vietnam War, where Agent Orange and bombs Were the currency of diplomacy.  Overwhelmed With issues, Kissinger’s strategy put ‘thumbs on the button’ For a Christmas bombing, killing many civilians. Le Duc Tho rejected colonial rule Before and after the war. He led millions For a freeContinue reading “1973 – Le Duc Tho and Henry Kissinger”

He took the name, Willy Brandt, while fighting the Nazis, Undercover with the Socialist Workers’ Party. To sea He went at twenty by ship to Norway, neutral, Where he excelled in the language, politics and writing. Youthful, He worked for Labor and wrote profusely (Nazi crimes). Germany took his citizenship, upon which he was grantedContinue reading “1971 – Willy Brandt”