2026 US Peace Prize:
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US
Since 2009, the US Peace Prize has recognized and honored the most outstanding and prominent American antiwar leaders. We celebrate these extraordinary role models to inspire other Americans to speak out against war and work for peace: Friends Committee on National Legislation, National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth, Costs of War, World BEYOND War, Christine Ahn, Ajamu Baraka, David Swanson, Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace, Kathy Kelly, CODEPINK Women for Peace, Chelsea Manning, Medea Benjamin, Noam Chomsky, Dennis Kucinich, and Cindy Sheehan.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US is awarded the 2026 US Peace Prize “For 111 Years of Women’s Leadership Against War and Militarism and for the Global Abolition of Nuclear Weapons.”
See photos of the presentation and full details at: www.USPeacePrize.org.
The US Peace Memorial Foundation awards the US Peace Prize to recognize and honor the most outstanding and prominent American antiwar leaders. These courageous people and organizations have publicly championed peaceful solutions to international conflicts involving the U.S. and/or opposed U.S. war(s), militarism, and interventions including invasion, occupation, production and distribution of weapons of mass destruction, use of weapons, threats of war, or other hostile actions that endanger peace.
We celebrate these extraordinary role models to inspire other Americans to speak out against war and work for peace. Recipients have been designated as Founding Members of the US Peace Memorial Foundation. Read details about the inspiring antiwar/peace activities of the recipients and all nominees in the US Peace Registry. See the nomination process and procedure at www.USPeaceMemorial.org/Nominations.htm.)
The 2026 US Peace Prize was awarded to Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US “For 111 Years of Women’s Leadership Against War and Militarism and for the Global Abolition of Nuclear Weapons.”
The 18th annual US Peace Prize was presented on September 26, 2026, at The People’s Forum in New York City, during the closing reception of the “Move the Money: From Militarization Back to Communities” conference. Michael Knox, Chair and Founder of the US Peace Memorial Foundation, told the audience, “The U.S. is obsessed with celebrating a military that has invaded well over 30 countries since the end of World War II, killing millions.
Since then, no other country has been responsible for murdering and injuring more people. Ending our war culture begins with refocusing to honor the heroes who bravely speak out against war, militarism, genocide, weapons of mass destruction, and other hostile actions that endanger peace. The US Peace Memorial Foundation is the only organization dedicated exclusively to celebrating antiwar leaders and activists whose example inspires others to work for peace.”
Knox continued, “I am very pleased to announce that Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US is the distinguished recipient of the 2026 US Peace Prize for 111 years of women’s leadership against war and militarism and for the global abolition of nuclear weapons. WILPF US is a feminist peacebuilding organization that has worked to create peaceful transformations. It advances disarmament and peace through public education, advocacy, and organizing campaigns that challenge militarism, genocide, and nuclear weapons programs. Please read more details in the US Peace Registry. Congratulations and thank you, WILPF US, for your crucial antiwar activism.”
Upon learning of the award, Linda Low, Executive Director, responded, “We are honored to receive the US Peace Prize. For more than 111 years, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) has held fast to the belief that peace is not simply the absence of war—it requires justice, equality, human rights, and the courage to address the root causes of conflict. At a time when militarization and division are deepening around the world and here at home, this recognition strengthens our resolve to keep building a more peaceful future through dialogue, nonviolence, and the collective power of people and communities.”
Joining Ms. Low at the podium to receive the award were Dr. Blanche Wiesen Cook, WILPF New York Chair, and Genevieve Riccoboni, WILPF International Peace and Security Program Lead. WILPF US members in attendance then joined the celebration.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US is a feminist peacebuilding organization that has worked to create peaceful transformations for more than 110 years. WILPF US focuses on building and strengthening relationships and movements for justice, peace, and radical democracy by challenging the root causes of oppression, including racism, militarism, economic disparity, and political disempowerment. It advances disarmament and peace through public education, advocacy, and organizing campaigns that challenge militarism, genocide, and nuclear weapons programs. Their advocacy and coalition-building address the root causes of conflict, support nonviolent movements, and work toward justice, accountability, and peace in the Middle East.
The final nominees for the 2026 US Peace Prize were Peace Action, Win Without War, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US. Read about their antiwar/peace activism in the US Peace Registry.
Gerry Condon Awarded 2025 US Peace Prize
The 2025 US Peace Prize has been awarded to The Honorable Gerry Condon “For Courageous Resistance to War, Long-term Leadership of Veterans For Peace, and Opposition to Nuclear Weapons.”
The US Peace Prize was presented on November 23, 2025, in San Francisco by Michael Knox, Chair and Founder of the US Peace Memorial Foundation. The ceremony was held during a “No War on Venezuela” rally at the Veterans War Memorial Building. In his remarks, Dr. Knox said, “Gerry Condon has been a dedicated peace activist since 1968, when he refused orders to deploy to Vietnam and spoke out publicly against the war and the draft. He deserted the U.S. Army and has continued to be an outspoken critic of U.S. wars, writing dozens of articles on antiwar topics, including the prohibition of nuclear weapons and genocide. He has given antiwar speeches worldwide, organized delegations, coordinated initiatives, and traveled to war zones. His vital work often puts him in harm’s way.
Mr. Condon has served in leadership roles in numerous peace organizations, including the Task Force for the Americas and many associated with Veterans For Peace, serving as the organization’s president and as president of the Golden Rule Committee, helping to coordinate voyages of the historic anti-nuclear sailboat. Thank you, Gerry, for your crucial work to end U.S. war, militarism, threats of war, and nuclear weapons. The US Peace Prize is a prestigious honor that will help call attention to and reinforce your important work for peace.”
Gerry responded, “I want to thank Michael Knox and the US Peace Memorial Foundation for recognizing my work for a peaceful U.S. foreign policy free from intervention in the internal affairs of other nations. I humbly accept this award on behalf of many wonderful activists who work for peace and solidarity with people around the globe. In my life, I have been privileged to work with Vietnam war resisters in Sweden and Canada, and with Veterans For Peace. A highlight for me has been to work with the Golden Rule peace boat, which has sailed 20,000 miles in the last ten years for a world free of nuclear weapons. I share this award with my life partner, Helen Jaccard, who as the Golden Rule’s project manager during those ten years, is largely responsible for its success.
I have also been privileged to travel multiple times to Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, societies that are struggling hard to free themselves from foreign intervention and to lift their people out of poverty. I am happy to work with terrific Latin America solidarity activists in the Task Force on the Americas. I am excited to be working with younger veterans in Veterans For Peace who are passionately organizing to end US/Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Older and younger veterans are resisting ethnic cleansing by masked ICE agents in our communities and U.S. troops illegally deployed on our streets. Along with all these dedicated activists, I will continue to work for Peace at Home and Peace Abroad. No War on Venezuela! No Troops in Our Streets! No More Genocide in Our Name!” Read articles about the presentation at www.laprogressive.com/war-and-peace/two-peace-prizes and www.pressenza.com/2025/11/gerry-condon-receives-the-2025-us-peace-prize-in-san-francisco
