Author Archives: June Edvenson

John Mott grew up in Iowa and early found His calling was to use his life to foster Christian Values among the young, that all peoples were bound To each other. He understood that the early fruition Of fellowship that emphasized this brotherhood Would help to eliminate racial divisions and strife. He began at CornellContinue reading “1946 – John Raleigh Mott”

Hull became Secretary of State under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and just as soon had the distinction Of implementing his “good neighbor policy” with representatives Of 21 American nations.  Three years later, he took the initiative For the Inter-American Peace Conference, for a joint ideology: Key aspects included the requirement to create peace within One’sContinue reading “1945 – Cordell Hull”

Once again, the Red Cross had to participate In a war full of horror, notorious waste and loss, Whose level of needs none could anticipate, Nor tally its length, nor guess and plot its course. For prisoners of war, they did almost all things – Reports to kin, returns, conditions, letters, food, lists, All countriesContinue reading “1944 – The International Committee of the Red Cross”

Germany’s annexations proceeded from 1938 to ‘41, Said Churchill, “So now this bloodthirsty gutter-snipe Must launch his mechanized armies upon new fields Of slaughter, pillage and devastation” – stopped by no one, As Germany attacked Russia, which became their ‘Achilles heel.’ “We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, WeContinue reading “1939 – 1945 – World War II, #3”

With Hitler’s rise, we see a rabble-rouser, The ‘Nazis’ consolidating – from a grab-bag of discontents, The Weimar Republic’s own decisions and power Ineffective, unable to stop rising unemployment. Nationalism became embraced with such adulation, Preying upon Germany’s WW I disgrace, The notion that Jews held too much station, And a Great Depression, the ‘nailContinue reading “1939 – 1945 – World War II, #2”

Total deaths in World War II are estimated At over 60 million, 3 percent of the world’s population. Fifty-eight percent were deaths among civilians; This war’s thirst for blood was almost never sated. Highest civilian losses were in China, and the USSR, With military deaths split between aggressors and defenders. About 6 million Jews wereContinue reading “1939 – 1945 – World War II”

It’s not as if the Peace Prize was never used to court Useful and important political or social agendas. However, to dwell on these might unjustly thwart The prize’s mission and belittle its significance. The Nansen International Office for Refugees Was to be disbanded when the need was met, But the work with refugees neverContinue reading “1938 – The Nansen International Office for Refugees”

Robert Cecil, a barrister and member of Britain’s Parliament, Worked with the Red Cross during World War I, and went In 1919 to the Peace Conference , helping set up the League of Nations. After the war he stayed involved in peace negotiations And was the founder of the League of Nations Union, A U.K.Continue reading “1937 – Lord Edgar Algernon Robert Gascogne Cecil”

Carlos Saavedra Lamas won the prize For his vigorous efforts to end South American fighting In the El Chaco War, where deliberations that arose Resulted in reduced army forces, exchanges of prisoners, and righting A border dispute by negotiation. Argentina’s Justice Minister, He also worked hard on the South American Antiwar Pact. Signed by many,Continue reading “1936 – Carlos Saavedra Lamas”

When the Nazis knock on your front door, Do you bravely open it? Swallow the dread? When you do not know what they will do for Their Fuhrer, their cause, and you may end up dead? After his camp internment by Hitler, many Sought his release by initiating global campaigns, And many leaders and statesContinue reading “1935 – Carl Von Ossietzky – 2”