Author Archives: June Edvenson

Dag Hammarskjold was the second General Secretary of the U.N. From ‘53 to 1961 when he died in a crashed plane. He was Swedish aristocracy, in the Congo, once again, To further details for the freedom of Congo from Belgium, Famous for its decades of terror, slave camps and hate. His history of successful effortsContinue reading “1961 – Dag Hammarskjold”

Lutuli’s intelligence, grace, strength and deep kinship With others awoke a watching world, growing distressed As South Africa’s leadership maintained their vice-like grip On all Black expressions of free speech, assembly and press. He wrote, “the past thirty years have seen the greatest number Of laws restricting our rights . . . our only assetContinue reading “1960 – Albert John Lutuli – 2”

Lutuli lived through ever-increasing repression Of South African blacks, white control and segregation. Blacks were forced to lose their land and citizenship rights, And membership in black groups was banned: next they might Support social or political rights for non-Whites… He was a kind, college teacher, then speaker, and then ran The African National Congress,Continue reading “1960 – Albert John Lutuli”

Noel-Baker spent his life in Peace work and disarmament. He worked tirelessly on many global initiatives for peace, drew Nations together at conferences and the U.N. with encouragement To stop arms-building and disarm – through agreements, rescue International relationships on tenterhooks, make amends, Begin to trust – and save the future of mankind. Without disarmament,Continue reading “1959 – Philip John Noel-Baker”

Pire, from Belgium, escaped the Nazi’s cleansing While his grandfather died and the family fled to France. Returning, their small town in ruins, they worked the remains To rebuild. He took vows as a monk, and grabbed the chance To wed his pastor’s theology with his strong belief In helping the displaced and their children,Continue reading “1958 – George Pire”

Pearson was awarded the Prize specifically for his skill At achieving creative negotiated solutions to still Ongoing dissension between neighboring states, testing International peacekeeping forces in the Middle East, wresting Wrangling Israel and Egypt, unwillingly, to the table And through prolonged U.N. mediation. He was able, Throughout his life of international public service, To useContinue reading “1957 – Lester Bowles Pearson”

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Received the Prize with the goal of shedding light On the unending plight of post-war millions, foundering among pleas For political asylum, refusing repatriation, their human right Under the U.N.’s Declaration of Human Rights from ’48. Many were fleeing Eastern European communism, overtaking, While the youngContinue reading “1954 – Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees“

Marshall was the one who told Truman about the bomb, A secret. He felt that the day would certainly come When we’d ‘have to use it’ – probably against Japan, Or the (second) World War’s ragings would never be done . . . Making him the messenger of mindless massacre In too few minds. WhatContinue reading “1953 – George Catlett Marshall – 2”

General Marshall received the Prize in ’53 for both His caring for the welfare of all soldiers -wherever stationed Around the world, and for the ‘Marshall Plan,’ whose growth Secured economic recovery for Europe’s many nations. Reviving post-war Europe reduced hunger, desperation and communism’s Encroaching influence, supporting democratic pluralism. Marshall had a long history ofContinue reading “1953 – George Catlett Marshall“

Schweitzer helped prepare colonial Africa to survive The World Wars he lived through. Although not political, He was asked to further his philosophical writings on life With remarks – by the U.N. and others, critical And concerned about nuclear weapons and the ease With which new modes of warfare had taken unquestioned world ‘place.’ HeContinue reading “1952 – Albert Schweitzer – 2”