This Nobel Peace Laureate came to William Woods University in conjunction with the November 2009 Heartland PeaceJam Youth Conference.

Betty Williams & Máiread Corrigan Maguire were presented with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for their efforts to create a grassroots movement to end the violence in Northern Ireland.

Betty has said many times that the Nobel Peace Prize is not awarded for what one has done but for what one will do. She also emphasizes the message that "arms are for hugging, not killing".

For the past 20 years, she has traveled the world, working with fellow Nobel Laureates in trouble spots throughout the world where the cause of peace, and especially the safety and well-being of children, is at risk.

Betty is currently fighting for children's rights through World Centers for COMPASSION FOR CHILDREN International and its City of Peace. She also continues to work with her other Nobel Laureates on the Nobel Women’s Initiative. These Laureates include Jody Williams and Rigoberta Menchú Tum, who both cae to William Woods University in 2007.