Sally Lilienthal

Like many Americans, Sally Lilienthal was concerned that a thermonuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union could erupt at anytime.

And rightly so: it was 1981, the height of the Cold War, and each country had amassed arsenals with the destructive power to extinguish all life on the planet. Instead of getting ready for a quiet life of retirement, the 62-year-old sculptor, human rights activist, mother and wife decided to take on nuclear weapons. With a little help from her friends and a lot of grit and determination, Sally founded Ploughshares Fund in her San Francisco living room in 1981.

Here is a collection of articles written about her, including articles written about her family and friends, as related to Ploughshares Fund.

  • Honoring Sally Lilienthal on Her Birthday

    Honoring Sally Lilienthal on Her Birthday

    Today, we pay respect to the life of a woman who made history by founding Ploughshares Fund. Like many Americans, Sally Lilienthal was concerned that a thermonuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union could erupt at anytime. And rightly so: it was 1981, the height of the Cold War...

    March 19, 2016 - By Ploughshares Fund
  • Sally Lilienthal, founder of Ploughshares Fund

    Sally Lilienthal, founder of Ploughshares Fund

    In honor of National Women’s History Month, we pay respect to the life of a woman who made history by founding Ploughshares Fund. Like many Americans, Sally Lilienthal was concerned that a thermonuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union could erupt at anytime. And rightly so: it...

    March 11, 2016 - By Will Lowry

  • Passing the Torch to a New Generation

    In honor of National Women’s History Month, each week Ploughshares Fund will be honoring the women who have been instrumental in advocating for nuclear nonproliferation and recognizing future leaders in the field. This week we look at how one woman is continuing the work her grandmother started...

    March 29, 2013 - By Jessica Sleight

  • Keeping Mother's Day for Peace in the Family - Video

    When Ploughshares Fund wanted to do a special video project to inspire mothers, grandmothers and even great-grandmothers to ask their children for a meaningful gift this Mother’s Day, we didn’t have to look very far. Kristi Denton Cohen, accomplished documentary film maker (Vertical Frontier and...

    May 3, 2012 - By Samara Dun

  • We Ought to Go to Zero

    Ploughshares Fund is conducting interviews with some of our first donors - recording their stories of why they initially took a risk on Sally Lilienthal’s big idea. Board member and former Ploughshares executive director Gloria Duffy interviews Lew Butler, our first chairman of the board below....

    February 28, 2012 - By admin

  • Day #12: World Peace

    The idea of ‘peace on earth’ is thrown around a lot this time of year. At Ploughshares Fund, we’re working to make it a reality. With the elimination of each nuclear weapon, we get closer to that goal. Whether we are urging Congress to reduce the nuclear budget, bringing together American...

    December 23, 2011 - By Megan Murphy

  • Day #8: 30 Years of Experience

    Ploughshares Fund is a leading voice for the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons. From our founding in a San Francisco living room to our leadership supporting the ratification of the New START accord, Ploughshares Fund has never wavered from that ultimate goal.

    December 20, 2011 - By admin

  • From Friend to Dedicated Supporter

    In honor of our 30th anniversary year, Ploughshares Fund is conducting interviews with some of our first donors - recording their stories of why they initially took a risk on Sally Lilienthal’s big idea. Board member and former Ploughshares executive director Dr. Gloria Duffy interviews Carol...

    October 14, 2011 - By Anonymous

  • Reasonable Goals: Supporting an End to Nuclear Weapons

    In honor of our 30th anniversary year, Ploughshares Fund is conducting interviews with some of our first donors - recording their stories of why they initially took a risk on Sally Lilienthal’s big idea. Board member and former Ploughshares executive director Gloria Duffy interviews Jim Hormel...

    June 28, 2011 - By Anonymous