Nelson Mandela, Defeated Hatred in South Africa, 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
The son of a tribal chief, Nelson Mandela began his opposition to South Africa’s government policies, which relegated blacks to non-voting, second-class citizens in a segregated society, while attending college. He went on to become a lawyer and joined the outlawed...
Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Indigenous Rights Leader, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laueate
After losing her mother and brother to Guatemalan death squads in the late 1970s, Rigoberta Menchu Tum followed in her father’s footsteps to become a human rights activist and leader in her country. A Mayan Indian, she publicly protested human rights abuses against...
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Laueate
Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. As a young boy he was formally recognized by Tibetan Buddhist elders as the reincarnated Dalai Lama, in Tibet, which would make him political leader of Tibet as well. Enthroned at age 15, he...