Betty Williams was born in 1943 in Northern Ireland. In 1976, spurred into action by the deaths of children in the sectarian fighting, Mrs. Williams helped initiate a petition campaign and also peace marches to stop the violence. The movement spread widely among the women of Northern Ireland and developed into a major force for peace. Mrs. Williams, together with Mairead Corrigan Maguire, was awarded the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts. Since then, she has persisted in taking action for the welfare of women and children around the globe. In 1997, she founded the World Centers of Compassion for Children International (WCCCI), of which she is also president. SGI President Daisaku Ikeda and his wife, Kaneko, met with Mrs. Williams on November 6, 2006, in Tokyo.

Ikeda: Thirty years ago, you stood up as a single individual, a woman, amid the deadly conflict racking Northern Ireland and spoke out with courage. Eventually, this led to a peace march of 35,000 women that attracted global attention and pushed public opinion in the direction of peace, changing the world. Catholic and Protestant women alike responded to your call, joining forces to work for peace. How did men react to your initiatives?

Williams: Not very well. But when I say that, I have to qualify it. Many men would have been shot if they had gone to our rallies. But they were quite prepared to be in the background, and work with us. They were very brave men. And they also recognized that the power of our movement lay in the fact that we were women, mothers. That’s what made it powerful. That’s the truth.

Ikeda: What has kept you going in your tireless activities for peace?

Williams: In this work, just like yours, no matter what people say, you must have the courage of your convictions. You have to just keep at it and keep at it. Never give up.

Ikeda: You were able to transform your righteous anger against violence into motivation to work for peace. Buddhism teaches that anger can have both positive and negative aspects. I appreciate the true value of your actions in that context—anger at great evil is great good. Cowardice is never right. Our movement, too, is rooted in righteous anger and invincible courage.

Williams: Fear is contagious, but so is courage, passing from person to person and growing stronger along the way.

Ikeda: What would you like to say to male political leaders?

Williams: It’s a bit obvious, I’m afraid, but it all comes down to one simple thing: Stop the bloodshed! As women, it is our responsibility to make sure that leaders who resort to brute force and oppression do not get elected. And that can only happen through education, education, and more education.

Ikeda: How do you think we can achieve and sustain peace?

Williams: Peace is not something static, as you know. The only way to achieve it is for someone to lead by example. I often say, you don’t get anywhere by standing in front and dragging people after you. You need to push from behind. First, leaders must set the example, and then go to the back and push everyone forward. That’s true leadership. My colleagues and I often say that our job is like pushing a heavy weight up a hill—while wearing high heels and walking backwards! That’s how challenging it is.

Williams: There will continue to be wars as long as men think war is fun. It’s that mentality we need to change.

Ikeda: People start wars, and people can create peace. We believe that dialogue is the only way to change people’s hearts and the world.

Williams: The truth will always win out in the end. Unflagging persistence is absolutely necessary.

Ikeda: You have said that the example of Northern Ireland shows that the cycle of violence increases in viciousness with each passing generation. What do you think is the key to breaking this vicious cycle?

Williams: For me—and the only way I can work—it is to remain true to one’s beliefs and love one’s opponents into submission.

This is by no means an easy thing to do. I remember one situation in which a man was attacking me verbally. He was quite fierce, actually, and was standing so close to me that I thought he might bump me with his head or bite my nose off, but I just stood very still, without saying a word. Eventually, his mouth must have gotten tired. He started speaking more and more slowly, and then he backed away. And I looked at him and I said: “I love you.” About two months later, that man became a peace worker.

Ikeda: This is a clear example, while at the same time exemplifying a very important lesson for us all. May I ask you what message you would like to impart to the children of the 21st century?

Williams: I’m sure it’s the same message you and Mrs. Ikeda have for children. It’s a message that I got from you, and it’s not just my message: “There is no other way; peace is the only way.”