Women laureates of the Nobel Peace Prize

Since the inception of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, only 21 women have been awarded the prestigious honor. Historically, the prize was dominated by men; until 1970, only three women had received it: Bertha von Suttner, Jane Addams, and Emily Greene Balch.

Bertha von Suttner became the first female recipient in 1905 for her anti-war activism and her influential novel, ‘Lay Down Your Arms’. Jane Addams was honored in 1931 for her social work and peace promotion, particularly through her leadership at Hull House in Chicago. Emily Greene Balch received the prize in 1946 for her advocacy for the rights of workers, immigrants, women, and minorities.

In recent decades, women have increasingly been recognized for their contributions to peace, justice, gender equality, democracy, and freedom of expression.