Medea Benjamin was born September 10th 1952, was raised in Long Island, New York and currently lives in Washington D.C. She was actually born Susan Benjamin and changed her name while attending Tufts University after the Greek mythological character, Medea. Before getting her degree in public health and economics, she dropped out and spent many years hitch-hiking through Africa and Europe. She is a human rights advocate and anti-war activist. She is known as being one of the high profiler leaders in the peace movement. She is the co-founder of an organization called “Code Pink,” a women run and lead organization created after 9/11. This is a non governmental organization of peace and social justice to end United States funded wars. This organization has had many protests and marches to promote their goals. It really inspired me that women founded this organization as a way to create peace. Yet they also encourage all genders to participate in this organization as well.
I believe this really shows how Benjamin is a peacemaker, in 2005 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2000 she was also a candidate for senate in California on the Green Party. This party is on the left wing on the political spectrum, it promotes things beneficial for the environment as well as nonviolence, gender equality and anti war politics. Another thing inspiring is that she is also a member of an organization with her husband, Kevin Danaher. They co founded the Global Exchange together. This organization is mainly to promote fair trade and human rights. A huge accomplishment Benjamin made with this organization is that she made sure the the large corporation, Nike, was monitoring all of its factories to make sure they were all working in proper, safe work conditions. As well as to make sure the people working overseas were making wages they could live on.
Medea Benjamin was also the author of eight different books. This women has made many accomplishments and clearly strives to make this country peaceful and nonviolent with all the organizations she’s involved in.
Work Cited
Shetterly, Robert. “Medea Benjamin.” Emma Tenayuca | Americans Who Tell The Truth, AWTT, www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/medea-benjamin.