Hetty Bower, 106, told Jon Snow on Channel 4 News (13/11/11), "What sane person could be pro-war? As long as my legs can take me, I will participate in anti-war activity." The range of Hetty's political activity in 2011 -- for which The Guardian has named her Woman of the Year -- has been astonishing.
Jon Snow interviews Hetty on Channel4 News 13/11/11.
On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, in March 2011, she was guest of honour at a wreath-laying ceremony at Emmeline Pankhurst's statue. She was a founding member of CND in 1957 and spoke in 2011 at a Hiroshima Day commemoration. She has spoken at protests against hospital closures, tuition fees and cuts in services for disabled people.
Hetty has been an ever-present at Stop the War Coalition demonstrations over the past 10 years, always marching every step, at a speed that put other protesters a fraction of her age to shame. She took part in Stop the War's anti-war mass assembly in Traflagar Square on 8 October 2011 and led the march from there to blockade 10 Downing Street.
Hetty's indominatable commitment to the fight for justice and peace is an inspiration to all who have had the privilege of campaigning beside her.
