2005 Peace Writers

 

Ozlem Ezer grew up in Istanbul, Turkey and has spent time working with diverse groups and organizations, including with the United Nations Development Programme in Ankara and as a teaching assistant in various universities. With a B.A. in English Language and Literature, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in progress in Women's Studies, her area of expertise is on genres in women's life writing as well as women's travel literature since the 17 th century. Currently, she is writing her dissertation, volunteering at a women's shelter, and writing women's stories and interviews for a feminist journal published in Turkish. Ezer enjoys traveling around the world and immersing herself in new cultures, people and languages.

Ezer worked with Thavory Hout of Cambodia.

Narrative - "Peace Between Banyan and Kapok Trees"

 

Lucia Gbaya-Kanga, originally from Sierra Leone, fled the country with her family during turbulent times when she was young. She was raised in Philadelphia, Pa., and lived in San Diego where she taught Composition and Literature at City and MiraCosta Colleges. As an author of dramatic poetry, she has performed at various venues in Philadelphia and San Diego. Gbaya-Kanga's work focuses on issues such as fragmentation, displacement, exile, war and relationships between mother and child. She is published in Sunshine Noir (an anthology published by City Works Press) and will have an article published in the upcoming edition of Chain, a literary magazine. She also co-hosts a specialty show "illfonix" on KSDS Jazz 88 and is involved in various projects with community artists, activists and educators.

Gbaya-Kanga worked with Emmaculeta Chiseya of Zimbabwe.

 

Emiko Noma grew up in northern California and received her master's degree in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University. Her studies focused on nonviolence and international conflict resolution. She has written for the Peaceworker , a monthly newspaper in Oregon, and recently presented a scholarly paper at a peace conference at the University of Notre Dame. In her undergraduate work, Noma received Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Religious Studies from York College. She has traveled extensively throughout Japan, Europe and China.

Noma worked with Sister Pauline Acayo of Uganda (2005) and Svetlana Kijevcanin of Serbia (2006).

Narrative of Acayo - "Born in the Borderlands, Living for Unity"
Narrative of Kijevcanin - "Out of the Cages"

 

 

Maia Woodward was born to a Cypriot mother and British father and grew up in the United Kingdom after her family fled the conflict in Cyprus in 1974. Gaining a master's degree in Peace Studies from Bradford University, she went on to work with NGOs in Cyprus, the UK, Mexico and the Middle East, before joining the BBC. She has been a freelance journalist focusing on women, conflict and human rights issues, and continues to be moved by the dedication of women globally working for peace.

Woodward worked with Mary Ann Arnado of the Philippines.

Narrative - "One Woman's Life, One Thousand Women's Voices"