Williams, Elizabeth

Williams, Betty, 1943–, Northern Irish peace activist, b. Belfast. In Aug., 1976, Williams witnessed the death of three children when a car driven by an Irish Republican Army (IRA) terrorist went out of control after being fired on by British troops. She began publicly demonstrating for peace, joining forces with Mairéad Corrigan, the aunt of the slain children, soon after the incident. The two created the Peace People Organization, a movement of Catholics and Protestants dedicated to ending sectarian fighting in Northern Ireland. For their work they were awarded the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize.