In Loving Memory of Cora and Peter Weiss

Peace Boat would like to pay tribute to Cora and Peter Weiss, two incredible peace activists whose life's work in peace, human rights, nuclear disarmament, and gender equality continues to inspire our organization. Sadly, they passed away this winter within weeks of each other, at the ages of 90 and 99. 

We first met Cora in 1994, during the preparation for Peace Boat's very first visit to New York. Over the years she and Peter opened up their New York home to Peace Boat staff and provided encouragement, food and love, as well as contacts and ideas. Many of Peace Boat's programs in New York, such as our events at Riverside Church and Central Park, and exchange programs with Global Kids, DCTV, and others, began with a spark from Cora. She spoke at countless of our events, exhorting audiences to imagine a "www:" a "World Without War." 

We were honoured to take part in her 1999 Hague Appeal for Peace conference, and she served as one of the Global Advisors for our initial Global University programs, which were inspired by her Global Campaign for Peace Education. Cora was one of the driving forces behind the foundation of Peace Boat's sister organization, Peace Boat US, and served on the Board of Directors until 2024. 

In 2006, both Cora and Peter sailed with us from Vancouver to Alaska, giving lectures and workshops onboard, delighting Peace Boat participants with their knowledge, energy, and wit.

Our last visit with Cora and Peter came in June this year, when a Peace Boat team visited their New York apartment to give them a virtual tour of the onboard "A Message to Humanity" Nobel Peace Prize exhibition. Cora, who organized the 1982 Central Park disarmament march that features in the exhibition, showed us an original poster and passed on words of support for the hibakusha. They were dedicated activists and visionaries to the end.

Details of their extraordinary lives can be found in the New York Times, and at Peter Weiss Obituary. 

We send our deepest condolences to their children and grandchildren. We will remember Cora and Peter gratefully, with the deepest respect and awe, and with tremendous affection. 

Safe travels, dear Cora and Peter. Thank you for everything.