Dorothy Stowe

Family of Dorothy Stowe

Dorothy Stowe (née Rabinowitz; December 22, 1920 – July 23, 2010) was an American-born Canadian social activist and environmentalist. She is best known as one of the co-founders of Greenpeace, an international environmental organization.

Early Life

Dorothy Rabinowitz was born on December 22, 1920, in Providence, Rhode Island. She grew up in a Jewish family and was deeply influenced by her parents' commitment to social justice. She attended Brown University, where she studied sociology.

Activism

Dorothy Stowe's activism began in the 1950s when she became involved in the American Civil Rights Movement. She was a member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and worked on various campaigns to end racial segregation in the United States.

Move to Canada

In 1961, Dorothy and her husband, Irving Stowe, moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to avoid the political climate of the McCarthy era in the United States. In Vancouver, they continued their activism, focusing on peace and environmental issues.

Greenpeace

In the late 1960s, Dorothy and Irving Stowe became involved in the anti-nuclear movement. They were instrumental in organizing protests against nuclear testing in Amchitka, Alaska. These efforts led to the formation of the Don't Make a Wave Committee, which later evolved into Greenpeace in 1971. Dorothy Stowe played a crucial role in the early development of Greenpeace, helping to shape its non-violent, direct-action approach to environmental activism.

Later Life and Legacy

Dorothy Stowe continued her activism throughout her life, focusing on various social and environmental issues. She passed away on July 23, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her legacy lives on through the continued work of Greenpeace and the many activists she inspired.

Related Pages

• Greenpeace
• Irving Stowe
• Environmental movement
• Anti-nuclear movement
• Congress of Racial Equality