ABOUT THE BOOK

This book arose from a conviction that a better world is not only possible but absolutely necessary—a world with justice and equity, without war. Comprehensive and meticulously researched, The Burden of Knowing is based on the life of Edith Ballantyne (1922–2025) and the historic Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. Edith's lifelong work to remove the obstacles to a just peace and beautiful world, her faith in humanity, and her zest for life remain an inspiration to many.

Edith Ballantyne (née Müller) was born to German-speaking committed social-democrat parents in Sudetenland in the northwest region of the newly formed Czechoslovakia. As World War II broke out, Edith and her family became political refugees from fascism and immigrated to a remote part of western Canada where they knew neither the language nor the culture. One by one they went to Toronto to work in the war-time industries.

After the war Edith moved to Switzerland with her husband, a journalist with the International Labour Organization, and began work with the new United Nations World Health Organization. Within the non-governmental organization community and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Edith used her profound knowledge of international relations and the UN internal processes to strengthen the UN and build civil society access to the UN. In a spirt of solidarity she worked to bring demands for peace and justice to the global community.

Geneva remained her home until she passed away at the age of 102. At the urging of friends and colleagues, Edith at ninety-six years, in collaboration with Regina Birchem, began to write of her life as a political refugee from fascism to becoming a citizen of the world. The Burden of Knowing is the result of that collaboration.

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REVIEWS

"Not only is a life story told,
but also the story about the world in which a refugee woman’s life unfolded.
We learn about politics, religion and culture along the way
giving us a bigger and more interesting picture
about an historical strand that many do not know.”
- Mara Faulkner, OSB, editor, author Going Blind and Protest and Possibility in the Writing of Tillie Olson

"With her life-long commitment to Dialogue and Peace, Edith Ballantyne never ceased to guide us towards a beacon of hope "
- Gerald Walzer, Former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Stay tuned to see what others are saying about The Burden of Knowing!

"This book features the memories of Edith Ballantyne and her lifelong struggle for promoting a just and rules-based world order. It mirrors her standing up against militarism and oppression. It provides an insightful description of Edith's achievements and struggles, particularly during her decade long professional leadership in WILPF. Working in the Geneva office of WILPF, the oldest women's peace organisation in consultative status with the United Nations, was the starting point of her tireless and strategic networking. By reading the book we learn about her talented building-bridges-skills between UN officials and governments and grass-root women anti-war activists. While such work was done often without official public recognition, this book is a particular treasure as it documents this often invisible efforts that require patience, perseverance and a clear political stance. It is a pleasure to read and learn about this principled, disciplined, warm-hearted and modest 'Citizen of the World' who paved the way for many grass-root activists to contribute to the international agenda setting. "My story is not remarkable. I am telling it to underline the responsibility we all have to achieve peace" - is Edith's understanding of what she aims for with this book. And she ends with the appeal to all readers "We must struggle for peace in this militaristic age and not abandon that goal." at her 102th Birthday 2024."

I can highly recommend it to those who had the pleasure to have known Edith and to all those who have an interest in international peace politics and the United Nations.
- Barbara Lochbihler, WILPF member since 1985 and Secretary General of WILPF in Geneva, from 1992 - 1999; former Secretary General of Amnesty International Germany and former member of the European Parliament with a focus on Human Rights. Vice-president of the UN Committee against Enforced Disappearances and Commissioner of the International Commission against the Death Penalty.