Carrigaphooca Castle photographed in Northern Ireland.
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A year ago today, Betty Williams, co-founder of Peace People alongside the late Ciaran McKeown and Mairead Maguire, passed away. Her life and work as a peace builder and activist was committed to ensuring a peaceful resolution of the Troubles in the 1970s in Northern Ireland. For their impactful work at that time, she and Maguire were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976.
As America works to heal across its current divides and resolve conflicts from sea to shining sea, global activists who were successful can be looked to as examples for doing this work. Shared below are anecdotes from these powerful, wise women that can motivate other activists focussed on societal wellbeing.
First, Maguire shared that “if we want to reap the harvest of peace and justice in the future, we must sow the seeds of nonviolence, here and now, in the present.” These words remind people around the world that it is important to not react to violence with violence. Peace building is a long and intentional process. It takes generations. People must be willing to work at it, embody it, each and every day.
Further proof of this comes from a famous saying from Williams herself. “To say that on a daily basis you can make a difference, well you can. One act of kindness a day can do it.” Her belief that daily acts of kindness actual create a more peaceful world came from her years using simple, dialogue-driven techniques to change hearts and minds in Northern Ireland.
As activists face the months ahead, perhaps Williams’ emphasis on reimagining power and strength in our society is most important to lean into and converse about in mission making. “I always say that non-violence is not the weapon of the weak. It is the weapon of the strong.”
Both women’s wisdom can teach society today, as it reckons with injustices and violence, that humanity will never created long lasting, peaceful conditions unless we are brave enough to redefine what power and strength, really look like in action throughout the nation. And, it is not up to activists alone. All people must be bold enough to challenge these norms and ask the difficult questions of our family, friends, companies, and organizations.
