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The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation presented Professor Riane Eisler of the California Institute of Integral Studies with the 2009 Distinguished Peace Leadership Award at their annual awards dinner held on November 7 in Santa Barbara, Calif. Author, social scientist, and lawyer, Eisler's research demonstrates how structures of partnership rather than domination build peace both in the home and in the global political arena. Her book, "The Chalice and the Blade," has had 23 editions printed worldwide.

In her acceptance speech, Eisler recounted how she witnessed violence firsthand growing up Jewish in Vienna.

"I watched with horror on Crystal Night-so called because of all the glass that was shattered in Jewish homes, businesses, synagogues-as a gang of Gestapo men broke into our home and dragged my father away," Eisler said.

Reisler maintained that patterns of violence and domination are learned in childhood, and that making peace requires a fundamental restructuring of society: "Because if we are to build cultures of peace we have to start talking about something that still makes many people uncomfortable: gender.... how gender roles and relations are constructed affects everything about a society-from its institutions (for example, whether families are more democratic or authoritarian) to its guiding system of values."

The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation presents the Distinguished Peace Leadership Award annually to individuals who have demonstrated courageous leadership in the cause of peace. The foundation initiates and supports worldwide efforts to abolish nuclear weapons, strengthen international law and institutions, and inspire and empower a new generation of peace leaders. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan international education and advocacy organization with consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Click here to read more about the award, view photos of the event, and listen to Professor Eisler's speech.

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