A Band of Noble Women

"Plastas's meticulous research opens our eyes to the ways that black and white women came together and worked collectively on behalf of progressive change, both at home and abroad. A Band of Noble Women not only transforms our understanding of the history of the peace movement and interracial activism, but also inspires us to believe in future possibilities." -Leila J. Rupp, author of Worlds of Women: The Making of an International Women's Movement

"The author has crafted a historically significant, well-written study that engages the reader. Her approach, to provide an overview understanding of the complexities of racial politics within WILPF during the interwar period by focusing, not only on the lives and work of individual WILPF leaders, both African American and white, but also on the activities and perspectives of select WILPF chapters, works well as a thematic and structural strategy. I found myself turning the pages with great interest, wanting to know what would happen next. Peace studies and history scholars as well as graduate and undergraduate students will find this book appealing." -Frances Early-Mount Saint Vincent University

"Melinda A. Plastas's A Band of Noble Women: Race and the Women's Peace Movement brings to life a vibrant interracial community of activists who saw peace and racial justice as linked goals. This elegantly written and lively book demonstrates the extent to which the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) facilitated-cross racial alliances and challenged scientific racism. Through their peace activism African-American women simultaneously challenged the masculine-focused New Negro movement, and forced white women in WILPF to address the relationship between racial imperialism and warfare. Plastas's careful research has uncovered a vital chapter in the long civil rights movement that will change the way we think about both the peace movement and black women's activism."- Victoria Wolcott- University of Rochester