Origins & Early Life

Elizabeth Williams (née Smyth; 22 May 1943 – 17 March 2020) was a peace activist from Northern Ireland. She was a co-recipient with Mairead Corrigan of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for her work as a cofounder of Community of Peace People, an organisation dedicated to promoting a peaceful resolution to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Williams headed the Global Children's Foundation and was the President of the World Centre of Compassion for Children International. She was also the Chair of Institute for Asian Democracy in Washington D.C.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She lectured widely on topics of peace, education, inter-cultural and inter-faith understanding, anti-extremism, and children's rights. Williams was a founding member of the Nobel Laureate Summit, which has taken place annually since 2000. In 2006, Williams became a founder of the Nobel Women's Initiative along with Nobel Peace Laureates Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Jody Williams and Rigoberta Menchú Tum. These six women, representing North and South America, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, brought together their experiences in a united effort for peace with justice and equality. It is the goal of the Nobel Women's...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alvy Ray Smith — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering computer scientist and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios.
• Antonio Inoki — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering Japanese wrestler, martial artist, and political figure.
• Arthur Ashe — Contemporary (Born in 1943) (1943): Pioneering American tennis star, celebrated for his skill and activism.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Albert Uderzo — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Pioneering French comic artist, co-creator of the iconic Astérix series.
• Armando Manzanero — Contemporary (Died in 2020) (2020): Mexican composer and singer, celebrated for defining the romantic sound of postwar Latin America.
• Alessandro Manzoni — Shared historical date (05-22 · Died) (1873): Master poet and novelist whose work fueled the Italian Risorgimento and language unity.
• Arthur Conan Doyle — Shared historical date (05-22 · Born) (1859): Pioneering author of Sherlock Holmes and speculative fiction master.
• Bayard Rustin — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1912): Pioneering organizer of nonviolence, civil rights, and socialist movements.
• Bobby Jones (golfer) — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1902): Pioneering American amateur golfer, founder of Augusta National and the Masters.
• 1943 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1943
• May 22 (05-22) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 22
• 2020 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2020
• March 17 (03-17) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 17