Lokashakti Encyclopedia - Bios

Inspirational noteworthy figures in the history of nonviolence, peace, and social justice
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Henry David Thoreau

A citizen of Concord, Massachusetts and graduate of Harvard College, Henry David Thoreau became one of America's most well-known writers and philosophers. An ardent anti-slavery activist and skilled rhetorician, Thoreau is remembered equally well today for his writings on naturalism and the environment.

Howard Zinn

One of the most well-known historians in modern times, Howard Zinn became a voice for the oppressed, both in his writing and through his activism. He played a large role in giving rise to a radically different interpretation of history - one told from the perspective of the people. Zinn passed away in January 2010.

Leo Tolstoy

Born into aristocracy in tsarist Russia, by the end of his life Leo Tolstoy had become convinced of the necessity for radical social reform. One of history's most famous novelists, Tolstoy later became a fervent advocate of both pacifism and anarchism, citing the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as inspiration.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Successfully appropriated Gandhian methods and ideals to the American struggle for civil rights, helping disseminate the message of nonviolence far and wide. Educated as a preacher and theologian but cut as a social reformer, the oratory and rhetoric of Martin Luther King, Jr. place him foremost among history's most brilliant statesmen.

Mary Harris Jones

Nicknamed Mother Jones as a testament to her care for others, Mary Harris Jones took on a prominent role in the Knights of Labor and spent many years engaged in nonviolent action to fight for workers' rights and the end of child labor in the United States.

Mohandas Gandhi

Fierce advocate of Indian independence, Hindu-Muslim unity, and the abolition of caste-based discrimination. Beginning as a British-trained lawyer in South Africa, Gandhi increasingly became involved in the struggle for justice and equality, and is the first to have explicitly used nonviolence as a method for social and political change.

Myles Horton

After founding the Highlander Folk School in 1932 in Monteagle, Tennessee, Myles Horton worked tirelessly to organize workers and train students of all colors to resist the strictures of a segregated community. His contributions to the field of nonviolence training in America are unparalleled, even today.

Noam Chomsky

One of the premier linguists of the past 50 years, Noam Chomsky has also become known as a leading critic of American imperialism, lecturing widely on the topic. A polymath and dedicated activist, he is currently professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Óscar Romero

Elected Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977, Oscar Romero within three years became a powerful voice of nonviolence against El Salvador's military dictatorship. A fierce advocate for the poor, Romero is considered the unofficial patron saint of the Americas and is one of the martyrs on the Great West Door of London's Westminster Abbey.

Ralph DiGia

First distinguishing himself as a conscientious objector during World War II, Ralph DiGia was a life-long pacifist and tireless advocate of social justice. He was part of the staff at the War Resisters League for over fifty-two years.



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  • Bios   ( 24 )
    Inspirational noteworthy figures in the history of nonviolence, peace, and social justice
  • Groups   ( 24 )
    Groups and organizations that have played significant roles in nonviolent movements
  • Concepts   ( 18 )
    Important concepts related to peace and nonviolence, especially in regards to nonviolent action
  • Movements   ( 26 )
    Movements and historical events where nonviolent action was used entirely or in large part
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