Emily Greene Balch is an American economist and sociologist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946. Her name is spelled phonetically as "EH-muh-lee green BAWL-ch," with the stress on the second syllable of each name. The IPA transcription for her name can be represented as /ˈɛməli ɡrin bɔltʃ/. While the spelling of Balch may seem unusual, it is a common English surname of German origin.
Emily Greene Balch was an American economist, sociologist, and educator. She was born on January 8, 1867, in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and died on January 9, 1961. Balch was a prominent figure in the peace movement and an advocate for social justice.
Balch earned her PhD in Economics from Bryn Mawr College in 1896, becoming one of the first women in the United States to achieve this distinction. She went on to teach economics and social work at Wellesley College for over four decades. Throughout her career, Balch focused on issues related to labor, social inequality, and international peace.
Balch's dedication to peaceful resolution of conflicts led her to actively engage in the peace movement during World War I. She was a staunch critic of the war and the subsequent Treaty of Versailles, advocating for international cooperation and disarmament instead. Her efforts earned her the 1946 Nobel Peace Prize, making her the second American woman to receive this honor.
Balch's commitment to peace and justice extended beyond her scholarly work. She actively participated in various organizations, such as the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, where she served as its international secretary. She also worked on women's rights issues, opposing child labor and advocating for better working conditions.
Overall, Emily Greene Balch was a renowned scholar and peace activist whose contributions to economics, sociology, and advocacy for social justice left a lasting impact.