Jody Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jody Williams
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Williams in 2001
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| Born | October 9, 1950 |
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| Known for | 1997 Nobel Peace Prize |
Jody Williams was born on October 9, 1950. She is an American activist who works for peace and human rights. She is best known for her efforts to ban dangerous landmines around the world. She also works to protect human rights, especially for women. In 1997, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her important work.
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Her Education Journey
Jody Williams studied at several universities. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont in 1972. Later, in 1976, she received a master's degree from the School for International Training in Vermont. There, she learned how to teach Spanish and English to people who speak other languages. In 1984, she earned another master's degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.
Working for Change
Leading the Fight Against Landmines
Jody Williams became the first leader of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in 1992. She led this group until 1998. Before this, she spent 11 years working on projects related to wars in Nicaragua and El Salvador. During the 1980s, she did important human rights work in these areas.
The ICBL started with just two small groups and Jody Williams as the only staff member. She helped it grow into a powerful international movement. It included 1,300 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 90 different countries. NGOs are groups that work for a cause but are not part of any government.
Jody Williams worked closely with governments, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. She was a main planner and speaker for the ICBL. Their big goal was to create an international agreement to ban anti-personnel landmines.
Achieving the Ottawa Treaty
In September 1997, a special meeting was held in Oslo, Norway. There, the ICBL and its partners achieved their goal. They created the Ottawa Treaty, which is an international agreement that bans landmines. This treaty is a major success for Jody Williams and the ICBL.
Just three weeks after the treaty was agreed upon, Jody Williams and the ICBL were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She was the tenth woman and the third American woman to receive this award in its history.
Supporting Women for Peace
In 2004, Jody Williams talked with other female Nobel Peace Prize winners, Shirin Ebadi and Wangari Maathai. They decided to create the Nobel Women's Initiative. This group officially started in January 2006, and Williams has been its leader ever since.
The Nobel Women's Initiative brings together female Nobel Peace Prize winners. They use their influence to support women who are working for peace, fairness, and equality around the world.
Speaking Out for Justice
In 2020, Jody Williams spoke out about an important environmental issue. She asked the Chevron Corporation to pay for cleanup costs in the Lago Agrio oil field. A court had ordered this payment in 2011, but the case was still ongoing.
Jody Williams believes that achieving peace requires hard work and understanding the world's problems. She once said that thinking peace will just "suddenly appear" by singing or looking at a rainbow is not helpful.
In 2019, Williams also supported the Every Woman Coalition. She called for a new international agreement to end violence against women.
Teaching and Recognition
Her Academic Work
Since 2003, Jody Williams has been a visiting professor at the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. In 2007, she became the Sam and Cele Keeper Professor in Peace and Social Justice there. She teaches about peace and fairness in society.
Awards and Honors
Jody Williams continues to be honored for her work in human rights and global safety. She has received 15 honorary degrees from different universities. In 2004, Forbes magazine named her one of the 100 most powerful women in the world. Glamour magazine also recognized her as a "Woman of the Year."
See also
In Spanish: Jody Williams para niños
- List of female Nobel laureates
- List of peace activists
- PeaceJam
