WAND/WiLL recognizes the accomplishments of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30). Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson is serving her 10th term representing the 30thCongressional District of Texas. WAND would like to recognize Congresswoman Johnson for her work on the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) and the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2012 (WPS). The NAP states that the US will "institutionalize a gender-responsive approach to its diplomatic, development, and defense-related work in conflict affected environments," and will work to increase women's rights and "substantive participation in peace processes, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, transitional processes, and decision making institutions in conflict-affected environments." Congresswoman Johnson has created a women’s peace initiative called “A World of Women for World Peace.” She has said, “Through this initiative, I have worked tirelessly to bring attention to those on the forefront of the peace movement. Whether meeting with international delegations or hosting events on Capitol Hill, such as this one, I hope to bring conflict resolution to our dialogue. The goal for this discussion was to provide a foundation for how my colleagues and I can best support the implementation of the National Action Plan.”
Congresswoman Johnson started “A World of Women for World Peace” in 2001 to bring greater visibility to the women who are victims of war and aggression, and the women who facilitate peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building activities in their communities. She said, “We must look at the human and economic costs of war to realize just how urgently we need to actively pursue peace. The costs of war cannot merely be measured with statistics or dollars. The real faces of war are torn and displaced communities, women suffering the ravages of rape and widowhood, children with missing limbs and orphans without the hope of education and healthcare.”
WAND was proud to join Congresswoman Johnson in co-sponsorship of a Congressional Roundtable on the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP) in June 2012, which was moderated by WAND Executive Director Susan Shaer. Additional co-sponsors included Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and US Section. Featuring first ever US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, the program focused on the role of women in peace-building and conflict prevention.
Since coming to Congress, Congresswoman Johnson has earned the reputation of being a stateswoman who is dedicated to improving U.S. foreign relationships and policies. In December 2010, Congresswoman Johnson was elected as the first African-American female Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. From 2000 to 2002, she was the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education where she emphasized education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines. She works tirelessly towards improving human rights around the globe. Congresswoman Johnson’s acclaimed initiative “A World of Women for World Peace” has been nationally and internationally recognized. Congresswoman Johnson is widely recognized as one of the most effective legislators in Congress. She is credited with originally authoring and co-authoring more than 150 bills that were passed by the House and Senate and signed into law. She also has a long-standing reputation for providing excellent constituent services.
WAND/WiLL is proud of our long association with the Congresswoman, beginning with her membership in the Women Legislators’ Lobby when she served in Texas’ state house. We look forward to continuing to work with her as she gathers support for the Women, Peace, and Security Act.
-Bronwen Raff, Communications and Development Inter - Tufts University Class of 2013
