Bertha von Suttner

Pioneering pacifist and first woman Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Bertha von Suttner (1843-1914) remains one of the most influential figures in the international peace movement. Born as Countess Kinsky in Prague, she defied aristocratic conventions to become a vocal advocate for disarmament and global cooperation. Her 1889 anti-war novel 《Die Waffen Nieder!》 (Lay Down Your Arms!) became a seminal work that inspired millions and helped shape modern pacifist ideology.

As the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, von Suttner played a crucial role in establishing the Nobel Peace Prize itself, maintaining close correspondence with Alfred Nobel that directly influenced his decision to include peace in his legacy. She co-founded the Austrian Peace Society in 1891 and organized the first Hague Peace Conference in 1899, laying groundwork for modern international arbitration systems.

Her tireless activism extended beyond writing, as she:

• Established the Permanent International Peace Bureau
• Pioneered transnational activist networks before modern communication technologies
• Advocated for what would later become the League of Nations and United Nations

Von Suttner's legacy continues through organizations like the International Peace Bureau, which still awards the Bertha von Suttner Peace Medal to outstanding peace activists.