The Female Nobel Peace Prize Winners (from Then to Now) 

The Nobel Prizes were born from one man’s desire to leave a legacy of progress and humanity, honoring those whose discoveries, ideas, and actions have made the world a better place. Here are the female Nobel Peace Prize winners who have changed culture, challenged injustice, and reshaped global conversations. From 1905 to this year’s laureate, these powerful women have left a lasting legacy, inspiring others to use their voices and take action for lasting change, peace, and equality. 

A Timeline of Female Nobel Peace Prize Winners

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the one of the most prestigious awards anyone can win. This timeline highlights all female Nobel Peace Prize winners, the countries and causes they represent, and the powerful contributions each made to the pursuit of global peace and equality.

Bertha von Suttner

Country: Austria
Year Awarded: 1905
Prize motivation: “for her audacity to oppose the horrors of war”

The first woman to be awarded the Peace Prize, she wrote one of the nineteenth century’s most influential books, the anti-war novel “Lay Down Your Arms.” She is one of the earliest and strongest voices for disarmament and global peace, inspiring Alfred Nobel himself.

Jane Addams

Country: USA
Year Awarded: 1931
Prize motivation: “for their assiduous effort to revive the ideal of peace and to rekindle the spirit of peace in their own nation and in the whole of mankind”

Jane Addams, the second female Nobel Peace Prize winner, worked tirelessly to get great powers to disarm and conclude peace agreements. She helped establish the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and championed women’s rights, democracy, and humanitarian reform. 

Emily Greene Balch

Country: USA
Year Awarded: 1946
Prize motivation: “for her lifelong work for the cause of peace”

An economist and sociologist, Emily Greene Balch dedicated her life to social justice and international cooperation. A leader of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, she championed peace and equality throughout World War I despite facing criticism from her own government.

Betty Williams

Country: Northern Ireland
Year Awarded: 1976
Prize motivation: “for the courageous efforts in founding a movement to put an end to the violent conflict in Northern Ireland.”

Betty Williams organized mass peace demonstrations calling for an end to sectarian violence during the Troubles. Alongside Mairead Corrigan, they founded the peace organization the Community of Peace People.

 Her leadership helped spark a nonviolent citizens’ movement across Belfast.

Mairead Corrigan

Country: Northern Ireland
Year Awarded: 1976
Prize motivation: “for the courageous efforts in founding a movement to put an end to the violent conflict in Northern Ireland”

Moved by personal tragedy, Mairead Corrigan co-founded the Community of Peace People with Betty Williams to unite Catholics and Protestants. Their movement inspired thousands to stand against sectarian violence through nonviolent protest.

Mother Teresa

Country: Albania / India
Year Awarded: 1979
Prize motivation: “for her work in bringing help to suffering humanity”

Founder of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa devoted her life to serving the poor, sick, and dying in Kolkata and around the world. Her compassion and selfless service made her one of the most recognized humanitarian figures and one of the most famous female Nobel Peace Prize winners of the 20th century.

Alva Myrdal

Country: Sweden
Year Awarded: 1982
Prize motivation: “for their work for disarmament and nuclear and weapon-free zones”

A diplomat, sociologist, and reformer, Alva Myrdal played a central role in the United Nations disarmament talks. She was a leading voice against the nuclear arms race and was instrumental in creating nuclear weapons-free zones in Europe.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Country: Myanmar
Year Awarded: 1991
Prize motivation: “for her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights”

Aung San Suu Kyi became a global symbol of peaceful resistance and democracy under authoritarian rule. Her leadership in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement earned her worldwide admiration. The Peace Prize had a significant impact in mobilizing world opinion in favor of Aung San Suu Kyi’s cause.

Rigoberta Menchú Tum

Country: Guatemala
Year Awarded: 1992
Prize motivation: “for her struggle for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples”

Menchú has dedicated her life to publicizing the rights of Guatemala’s Indigenous peoples during and after the Guatemalan Civil War, and to promoting Indigenous rights internationally. Her activism emphasized human dignity, cultural identity, and peace through understanding.

Jody Williams

Country: USA
Year Awarded: 1997
Prize motivation: “for her work toward the banning and clearing of anti-personnel mines”

Jody Williams spearheaded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which led to a landmark global treaty. Her leadership showcased how citizen activism and international cooperation can achieve concrete humanitarian results.

Shirin Ebadi

Country: Iran
Year Awarded: 2003
Prize motivation: “for her efforts for democracy and human rights. She has focused especially on the struggle for the rights of women and children”

The first female Nobel Peace winner from the Islamic world. Shirin Ebadi became Iran’s first female judge before being dismissed after the 1979 Revolution. She later founded organizations defending women and children’s rights, becoming a symbol of courage in the face of repression.

Wangari Maathai

Country: Kenya
Year Awarded: 2004
Prize motivation: “for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace”

Wangari Maathai was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. As the founder of the Green Belt Movement, Wangari Maathai empowered women through environmental restoration and grassroots activism. She linked ecological sustainability to political freedom, thinking globally but acting locally. 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Country: Liberia
Year Awarded: 2011
Prize motivation: “for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa’s first elected female head of state. Her leadership helped rebuild Liberia after years of civil war and inspired women across the continent to pursue political participation and peace through governance.

Leymah Gbowee

Country: Liberia
Year Awarded: 2011
Prize motivation: “for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work”

Leymah Gbowee united women from across Liberia’s religious and ethnic divides in a peace movement that played a crucial role in ending the country’s long civil war. Her activism remains a powerful example of women’s grassroots leadership in conflict resolution. She also spearheaded efforts to mobilise Liberian women to vote for Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the 2005 presidential elections.

Tawakkol Karman

Country: Yemen
Year Awarded: 2011
Prize motivation: “for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work”

Tawakkol Karman, a journalist and human rights activist, became a leading voice in Yemen’s pro-democracy movement during the Arab Spring. Known as the “Mother of the Revolution,” she continues to advocate for freedom of expression and women’s rights in the Middle East. 

Malala Yousafzai

Country: Pakistan
Year Awarded: 2014
Prize motivation: “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”

At just 17, Malala Yousafzai became the youngest Nobel laureate in history. After surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban, she became an international advocate for girls’ education and human rights. She is one of the most famous female Nobel Peace Prize winners today and a female social entrepreneur. 

Nadia Murad

Country: Iraq
Year Awarded: 2018
Prize motivation: “for her efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict”

A survivor of ISIS captivity and a sex slave, Nadia Murad transformed her trauma into advocacy for victims of sexual violence and genocide. Her work has reshaped global awareness of wartime abuses against women. Nadia Murad has written an autobiography, “The Last Girl”.

Maria Ressa

Country: Philippines
Year Awarded: 2021
Prize motivation: “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace”

An investigative journalist and co-founder of Rappler, Maria Ressa has fearlessly challenged disinformation, corruption, and authoritarianism. Her courage in defending press freedom made her one of the most influential voices for truth in the digital age. 

Narges Mohammadi

Country: Iran
Year Awarded: 2023
Prize motivation: “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all”

Summary:
A journalist and human rights activist, Narges Mohammadi has long campaigned for women’s rights, abolition of the death penalty, and political freedom in Iran. Despite repeated imprisonment, her voice continues to inspire global movements for justice and equality.

María Corina Machado

Country: Venezuela
Year Awarded: 2025
Prize motivation: “For her courageous fight for democracy and human rights in Venezuela.”

María Corina Machado was recognized for her nonviolent leadership in defending democratic values and advocating for peaceful political transition in Venezuela. Her activism symbolizes hope for freedom and civic dignity in her country.

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Everything You Need to Know About The Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes are among the world’s most prestigious awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work has profoundly benefited humanity. Established through the will of Swedish inventor and philanthropist Alfred Nobel in 1895, these prizes have become a lasting symbol of excellence in science, culture, and peace.

How the Nobel Prize Originated

Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and holder of more than 350 patents, left his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes after reading an obituary that mistakenly described him as the “merchant of death.” Determined to leave a positive legacy, he directed his wealth toward recognizing remarkable people who advance knowledge, literature, and peace. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, five years after his death.

The Six Nobel Prize Categories and Women Nobel Prize Winners

Today, the Nobel Prizes are awarded annually in six major fields, each reflecting a different dimension of human achievement.

Physics
Recognizes groundbreaking discoveries that deepen our understanding of the natural universe.
5 women have received the Nobel Prize in Physics, including Marie Curie (1903) and Andrea Ghez (2020).

Chemistry
Honors advances that transform materials, medicines, and the building blocks of life.
8 women have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, among them Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin, Frances Arnold, and Emmanuelle Charpentier.

Physiology or Medicine
Celebrates discoveries that improve health and extend human life.
14 women have received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, including Barbara McClintock, Tu Youyou, and Katalin Karikó.

Literature
Awarded for exceptional writing that uplifts, challenges, or expands the human experience.
18 women have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, from Selma Lagerlöf (1909) to Annie Ernaux (2022).

Peace
Given to individuals or organizations that promote reconciliation, disarmament, and the resolution of conflict.
19 women have received the Nobel Peace Prize, from Bertha von Suttner (1905) to María Corina Machado (2025).

Economic Sciences
Added in 1968 by the Central Bank of Sweden, this category rewards outstanding contributions to the study of economics and human behavior.
3 women have received the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, including Elinor Ostrom, Esther Duflo, and Claudia Goldin.

Who Decides Who Gets the Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, based in Oslo. Its five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) and are responsible for reviewing hundreds of nominations each year. Candidates may include political leaders, organizations, human rights defenders, and individuals whose actions advance peace and cooperation.

Who Nominates the Nobel Peace Prize Winners?

Nominations are submitted by qualified individuals worldwide, including academics, previous laureates, and members of select institutions. The evaluation process is confidential and can take nearly a year, culminating in the annual award announcements in October and the formal ceremonies in December.

How Often the Nobel Peace Prize Is Awarded

The Nobel Peace Prize is presented every year on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. In rare circumstances, such as during major wars, the award has been postponed or withheld. Each year’s selection process takes nearly a full year, beginning with nominations in January and ending with the announcement of winners in October.

Milestones and Firsts in Women’s Nobel Peace History

Marie Curie, first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize

These milestones represent far more than individual achievements. Each female Nobel laureate has helped redefine the meaning of leadership and courage, inspiring future generations of female Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Who Was the First Woman to Win a Nobel Prize?

The first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize was Marie Curie, who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity. She later became the first person in history to win two Nobel Prizes, earning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911.

Who Was the First Woman to Win a Nobel Peace Prize?

The first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize was Bertha von Suttner in 1905. A tireless advocate for disarmament and author of the influential anti-war novel Lay Down Your Arms, her work inspired generations of peace activists and influenced Alfred Nobel’s own thinking about the prize.

 Which Woman Won Two Nobel Prizes?

Marie Curie remains the only woman to have won two Nobel Prizes. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 (shared with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for her discovery of the elements polonium and radium.

Who Is the Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner?

The youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history is Malala Yousafzai, who received the award in 2014 at the age of 17. Malala was recognized for her courageous fight for girls’ education in Pakistan and her advocacy for children’s rights around the world.

How Many Women Have Won the Nobel Peace Prize?

As of 2025, 19 women have received the Nobel Peace Prize. María Corina Machado will become the 20th woman to receive the award. Their achievements span continents, causes, and generations, reflecting diverse paths to peace, from humanitarian aid and education to democracy movements and environmental protection.

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The Impact of Female Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Throughout history, female Nobel Peace Prize winners have redefined the meaning of peace and female leadership. Their courage and compassion have expanded the scope of peacebuilding beyond treaties and politics, emphasizing human rights, education, equality, and environmental justice as essential foundations for lasting peace.

Women Nobel laureates have consistently challenged traditional approaches to conflict and reconciliation. Rather than focusing solely on diplomatic negotiation, they have emphasized community action, human dignity, and the power of nonviolence.

From Bertha von Suttner’s campaign against war in the early 20th century to Leymah Gbowee’s women-led protests that ended Liberia’s civil war, these leaders demonstrated that peace often begins at the grassroots level. Wangari Maathai linked environmental restoration to social stability, while Malala Yousafzai championed education as a pathway to peace and equality.

Modern peacebuilders, inspired by laureates like Shirin Ebadi, Maria Ressa, and María Corina Machado, continue to confront authoritarianism, disinformation, and gender inequality. 

Together, these women form a global legacy of courage. Their message is clear: women can and are changing the world. 

“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.” – Malala Yousafzai, youngest Nobel Prize laureate.

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Who Would You Nominate?

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As history shows, peace is not built by institutions alone; it begins with individuals who are brave enough to make a difference. The women who have received the Nobel Peace Prize remind us that courage, compassion, and conviction can change the course of nations. Each of them began not with power, but with purpose. 

So, who would you nominate for the next Nobel Peace Prize? Perhaps it is female activists peaking out against reproductive rights, a teacher who empowers her students, or a leader transforming teams or communities. Or perhaps, it is you.

Peace begins with the everyday choices we make: to listen, to act, and to stand for what is right. 

As Alfred Nobel believed, even the smallest acts of humanity can leave a legacy that echoes across generations.

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