![]() | A Band of Noble Women: Racial Politics in the Women’s Peace Movement Subjects: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom -- History; Women and peace -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Peace movements -- United States -- History -- 20th century; African American pacifists -- History -- 20th century; United States -; A Band of Noble Women brings together the histories of the women's peace movement and the black women's club and social reform movement in a story of community and consciousness building between the world wars. Believing that achievement of improved race relations was a central step in establishing world peace, African American and white women initiated new political alliances that challenged the practices of Jim Crow segregation and promoted the leadership of women in transnational politics. Under the auspices of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), they united the artistic agenda of the Harlem Renaissance, suffrage-era organizing tactics, and contemporary debates on race in their efforts to expand women's influence on the politics of war and peace. Melinda Plastas is visiting assistant professor in the Women and Gender Studies Program and the Department of Politics at Bates College in Maine. Her research interests include the politics of race and gender in U.S. women's social movements. |
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