Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Nobel peace prize recipient visits Oregon State U.
By Lisa Riordan
OSU Daily Barometer (Oregon State U.)
04/23/2007

(U-WIRE) CORVALLIS, Ore. — In August of 1976, Irish Republican Army fugitive Danny Lennon was fatally shot by British authorities while driving. His car spun out of control, careening into three Catholic school children and killing them instantly. Unable to cope with the tragic loss, the children's mother, Anne Maguire, eventually committed suicide in 1980.

Betty Williams was walking nearby, heard the crash and rushed to the scene. Fed up with the incessant violence, Williams decided to take action. Within two days of the incident, she gathered 6,000 signatures on a petition for peace.

"There's nothing you can't do in this world," Williams said.

"I see so many young people that feel helpless and think there's nothing they can do to make a difference. But with a little dedication, willingness to work and just a little bit of courage, you can make anything happen."

Growing up in Northern Ireland, Williams saw the consequences of conflict from an early age. It was a time of political unrest, riddled with religious intolerance and relentless persecution, Williams said.

Williams quickly formed a bond with Anne Maguire's sister, Mairead Corrigan. They went on to form Women for Peace, a group later known as the Community of Peace People.

The two women led over 10,000 Protestant and Catholic women on a peace march to the graves of the deceased children, only to be interrupted by protests of the IRA.

One week later, Williams and Corrigan organized another march for peace, and 35,000 showed up, calling for an end to the violence.

"Education, education, education," Williams said. "That's what it all came down to in Northern Ireland. People needed to know that they could make a difference."

Williams and Corrigan were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976.

"The award was only the beginning," Williams said. "I used it as a tool to open doors and get more work done. After all, you don't get the Nobel Peace Prize for what you've already done — it's for what you will do."

Williams addressed a small audience of Oregon State University students and community members on April 21 as part of Peace Jam, an event dedicated to making a difference for young people.

College students act as mentors to high school students, spreading the word about Peace Jam and inspiring students to take a stand against violence.

"We're the only campus in the nation that is a sponsor [for Peace Jam]" said Larry Roper, vice provost for student affairs. "The program encourages young people to unleash their humanity - you know, take what they're feeling and translate that into action."

Sandy Tsuneyoshi, coordinator of the Asian and Pacific Cultural Center, participated in the program. "Every year we try and bring in a different Nobel laureate. Betty Williams is our third speaker so far."

"You can get as involved as you want to," said Iris Wong, recent OSU graduate and Peace Jam member. "This is my second year, and I love it."

"It's so rewarding to see the difference we're making," Tsuneyoshi said. "We had a kid who never saw himself as a leader before, but now he does.

"Everybody can do something to make a difference."

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