JW

Jody Williams

41quotes

Jody Williams: Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Human Rights Activist


Full Name and Common Aliases


Jody Williams is an American peace activist, Nobel laureate, and founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). She is also known as the "Lady of the Mines" due to her tireless efforts to eliminate landmines worldwide.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on October 9, 1950, in Brattleboro, Vermont, USA. Still active in her humanitarian work.

Nationality and Profession(s)


American peace activist, Nobel laureate

Early Life and Background


Growing up in a rural town in Vermont, Jody Williams developed a strong sense of social justice from an early age. Her parents, who were both involved in local politics, instilled in her the importance of community service and activism. Williams' experiences as a farm worker during high school also exposed her to the harsh realities faced by migrant workers, further solidifying her commitment to human rights.

Major Accomplishments


Jody Williams is best known for founding the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in 1992. This global coalition of non-governmental organizations played a crucial role in raising awareness about the devastating effects of landmines and advocating for their elimination. In recognition of her work, Williams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, along with the ICBL.

Notable Works or Actions


Under Williams' leadership, the ICBL organized numerous protests, rallies, and advocacy campaigns to raise public awareness about landmine-related issues. Her efforts led to significant progress in international policy-making, including the adoption of the Ottawa Treaty (also known as the Mine Ban Treaty) in 1997. The treaty has since been signed by over 160 countries, banning the use, production, stockpiling, and trade of anti-personnel landmines.

Impact and Legacy


Jody Williams' work on landmine issues has had a profound impact on international humanitarian law. Her tireless advocacy has saved countless lives and helped to reduce the number of landmine-related casualties worldwide. As a Nobel laureate, she continues to inspire new generations of peace activists and human rights defenders.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Jody Williams is widely quoted and remembered for her courageous stance on human rights issues, particularly in relation to landmines. Her leadership and advocacy have made her an iconic figure in the world of peace activism. As a testament to her enduring legacy, Williams' work continues to influence international policy-making and inspire individuals around the globe to strive towards a more peaceful and just world.

Throughout her career, Jody Williams has demonstrated unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice. Her dedication to creating a safer and more equitable world serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the power of individual action in shaping a better future for humanity.

Quotes by Jody Williams

I think there's a mythology that if you want to change the world, you have to be sainted, like Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela or Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Ordinary people with lives that go up and down and around in circles can still contribute to change.
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I think there's a mythology that if you want to change the world, you have to be sainted, like Mother Teresa or Nelson Mandela or Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Ordinary people with lives that go up and down and around in circles can still contribute to change.
JW
For me, the difference between an 'ordinary' and an 'extraordinary' person is not the title that person might have, but what they do to make the world a better place for us all.
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For me, the difference between an 'ordinary' and an 'extraordinary' person is not the title that person might have, but what they do to make the world a better place for us all.
JW
It’s sort of easy to make a challenge. It’s very hard to put the full fate of your government behind the challenge and make it happen. That’s real leadership.
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It’s sort of easy to make a challenge. It’s very hard to put the full fate of your government behind the challenge and make it happen. That’s real leadership.
JW
We really are at the crossroads and [disarmament] will happen if people of goodwill all over the world raise their voices and take action to let the governments of the world know that’s what they want.
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We really are at the crossroads and [disarmament] will happen if people of goodwill all over the world raise their voices and take action to let the governments of the world know that’s what they want.
JW
#government
What I consider to be peace [is] a sustainable peace in which the majority of people on this planet have access to enough resources to live dignified lives.
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What I consider to be peace [is] a sustainable peace in which the majority of people on this planet have access to enough resources to live dignified lives.
JW
#motivation
What separates an ordinary woman from an extraordinary one? The belief that she is ordinary.
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What separates an ordinary woman from an extraordinary one? The belief that she is ordinary.
JW
#ordinary
Worrying about a problem is not a strategy for change.
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Worrying about a problem is not a strategy for change.
JW
#worry
I believe that worrying about the problems plaguing our planet without taking steps to confront them is absolutely irrelevant. The only thing that changes this world is taking action.
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I believe that worrying about the problems plaguing our planet without taking steps to confront them is absolutely irrelevant. The only thing that changes this world is taking action.
JW
#spiritual
The landmine cannot tell the difference between a soldier or a civilian - a woman, a child, a grandmother going out to collect firewood to make the family meal... once peace is declared the landmine does not recognize that peace. The landmine is eternally prepared to take victims.
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The landmine cannot tell the difference between a soldier or a civilian - a woman, a child, a grandmother going out to collect firewood to make the family meal... once peace is declared the landmine does not recognize that peace. The landmine is eternally prepared to take victims.
JW
#children
Militarists say that to gain peace we must prepare for war. I think we get what we prepare for. If we want a world where peace is valued, we must teach ourselves to believe that peace is not a ‘utopian vision’ but a real responsibility that must be worked for each and every day in small and large ways. Any one of us can contribute to building a world where peace and justice prevail.
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Militarists say that to gain peace we must prepare for war. I think we get what we prepare for. If we want a world where peace is valued, we must teach ourselves to believe that peace is not a ‘utopian vision’ but a real responsibility that must be worked for each and every day in small and large ways. Any one of us can contribute to building a world where peace and justice prevail.
JW
#real
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