The US Peace Memorial Foundation awards the US Peace Prize to recognize and honor the most outstanding and prominent American antiwar leaders. These courageous people and organizations have publicly championed peaceful solutions to international conflicts involving the U.S. and/or opposed U.S. war(s), militarism, and interventions, including invasion, occupation, production and distribution of weapons of mass destruction, use of weapons, threats of war, or other hostile actions that endanger peace. We celebrate these extraordinary role models to inspire other Americans to speak out against war and work for peace.
The U.S. is obsessed with celebrating the military. Ending our war culture begins by commending those who bravely speak out against it. The US Peace Memorial Foundation is the only organization exclusively dedicated to celebrating antiwar heroes—leaders and activists whose example inspires others to work toward ending U.S. war and militarism. We highlight these extraordinary role models and their vital work through our US Peace Registry, the prestigious US Peace Prize, and the planned US Peace Memorial.
Previous US Peace Prize recipients are Gerry Condon, Friends Committee on National Legislation, National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth, Costs of War, World BEYOND War, Christine Ahn, Ajamu Baraka, David Swanson, Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace, Kathy Kelly, CODEPINK Women for Peace, Chelsea Manning, Medea Benjamin, Noam Chomsky, Dennis Kucinich, and Cindy Sheehan.
The final nominees for the 2026 US Peace Prize are Peace Action, Win Without War, and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US. You can read about their antiwar/peace work below and in the US Peace Registry.
Peace Action
Founded in 1957 (as the National Committee for a SANE Nuclear Policy), this organization is a grassroots peace network with chapters and affiliates across the country that organize to lobby Congress and the administration to advance peace legislation. It promotes a U.S. foreign policy based on peaceful support for human rights and democracy, cooperation with the global community, and eliminating the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Campaigns include Nuclear Weapons Disarmament, Gaza Ceasefire NOW!, People Over the Pentagon, Trump Watch: Defending Peace, Justice, and Democracy, Global Flashpoints: Conflict Prevention and Diplomacy, and Action Alerts for issues such as No Iran War Supplemental Funding, Help Build a Pro-Peace Congress, and Block the Bombs to Israel. Other actions include Congressional Scorecard tracking voting records of members of Congress, a Candidate Resource Center for political candidates, an Activist Toolkit and lobbying materials, a blog, news, press releases and statements. Nominated for US Peace Prize, US Peace Memorial Foundation, 2026.
Win Without War
Founded in 2002, this organization works to build a movement for U.S. foreign policy that prioritizes peace over militarism. It collaborates with elected officials, policymakers, the media, advocacy groups, activists, and an associated Education Fund, to promote and advance a progressive national security strategy focused on human security and diplomacy rather than war. Actions include events, activist mobilizations, training sessions, webinars, lobbying Congress through phone calls and petitions, and national advertising campaigns using traditional billboards, mobile billboards, videos, print media, and posters. Their website offers action opportunities, news and analysis, and resources on issues including nuclear weapons, the Pentagon budget, war powers, and arms sales. Nominated for US Peace Prize, US Peace Memorial Foundation, 2026.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US
Founded in 1915, WILPF US members work to create peaceful transformations by analyzing historical and current events and patterns, and mobilizing for justice across generations today. Their actions focus on challenging root causes of oppression, including racism, militarism, economic disparity, and political disempowerment, and on building and strengthening relationships and movements for justice, peace, and radical democracy. Campaigns and initiatives include Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone, DISARM/End Wars Committee Call For Peace Campaign, Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Crafting Justice Gaza Memorial Quilt, Peace is Not War, Take action to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and Israel!, and preparing resource guides including End the Whole Nuclear Era, History of the Bomb, and Proposition One. Other actions include statements and resolutions, a YouTube channel with webinars and playlists, and a magazine. Nominated for US Peace Prize, US Peace Memorial Foundation, 2026.
The U.S. is obsessed with celebrating the military. Ending our war culture begins by commending those who bravely speak out against it. The US Peace Memorial Foundation is the only organization exclusively dedicated to celebrating antiwar heroes—leaders and activists whose example inspires others to work toward ending U.S. war and militarism. We highlight these extraordinary role models and their vital work through our US Peace Registry, the prestigious US Peace Prize, and the planned US Peace Memorial. Your Support Makes This Possible.
