03/09/2026
Annie Hughes Griffiths and the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition
Annie Hughes Griffiths was one of the most influential Welsh peace campaigners of the early twentieth century. A prominent activist, suffragist, and advocate for social reform, she led the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition to America in 1924.
Her work demonstrates how women in Wales sought to influence international politics and promote peace in the aftermath of the First World War.
The devastation of the First World War left many people determined to prevent future conflict. In response, Welsh women organised a remarkable campaign through the League of Nations Union in Wales. Between 1923 and 1924, they collected 390,296 signatures from women across Wales in support of a peace memorial calling for “Law not War.” The petition urged the United States to join the League of Nations and work with other nations to maintain peace and resolve disputes through diplomacy rather than armed conflict.
As leader of the delegation, Annie Hughes Griffiths played a central role in taking this message beyond Wales. In March 1924, she travelled to the United States, accompanied by fellow campaigners, to present the petition to American women’s organisations. The signatures were carefully stored in a specially crafted oak chest before being shipped across the Atlantic. The delegation aimed to encourage American women to use their influence to persuade the United States government to support international cooperation through the League of Nations.
Annie Hughes Griffiths documented the journey in her diary, providing valuable insight into the campaign and its objectives. Her writings reveal the determination of the Welsh delegation and their belief that ordinary citizens, particularly women, could play a significant role in securing peace. The journey was not simply symbolic; it was a carefully organised international campaign designed to build support for collective action against war.
Secondary accounts of the visit highlight the impact of the movement. One account noted, “We know your story of the Women of Wales movement,” demonstrating that the campaign had gained recognition far beyond Wales. This suggests that the efforts led by Annie Hughes Griffiths attracted international attention and that the Welsh peace movement was regarded as an important contribution to global discussions about peace and diplomacy.
Other descriptions refer to the delegation's “peace tour” and its mission “to spread peace.” These phrases emphasise the organised and purposeful nature of the campaign. Rather than being passive observers of world events, Annie Hughes Griffiths and her colleagues actively promoted international cooperation and sought practical ways to prevent another devastating war.
During their visit, the delegation met representatives of major American women's organisations, together representing more than twenty million members. They also visited the White House and met President Calvin Coolidge, providing an opportunity to present the concerns and aspirations of Welsh women directly to influential political leaders. These meetings reflected the scale and ambition of the campaign and demonstrated the determination of Annie Hughes Griffiths to ensure that the voices of Welsh women were heard on the international stage.
The significance of Annie Hughes Griffiths extends beyond the petition itself. She represented a generation of women who believed that citizenship brought responsibilities as well as rights. Having campaigned for greater political participation for women, she used that influence to advocate for international understanding and peaceful cooperation. Her leadership showed that women could play an active role in shaping public debate and influencing political decisions at both national and international levels.
The legacy of Annie Hughes Griffiths remains important today. The Welsh Women’s Peace Petition is recognised as one of the largest peace campaigns organised by women in Britain during the interwar period. Nearly a century later, the petition continues to inspire new projects and commemorations, including initiatives that encourage people to use creativity and public engagement to promote peace. Her work serves as a reminder that individuals and communities can contribute to international movements for peace and justice.
Today, Annie Hughes Griffiths is remembered not only as the leader of a remarkable campaign but also as a symbol of Welsh internationalism, civic engagement, and the belief that ordinary people can influence world affairs. Through her leadership of the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition, she helped transform the hopes of hundreds of thousands of Welsh women into a message that reached across the Atlantic and continues to resonate today.
