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hunger strike

(Encyclopedia) hunger strike, refusal to eat as a protest against existing conditions. Although most often used by prisoners, others have also employed it. For example, Mohandas Gandhi in India and…

amniocentesis

(Encyclopedia) amniocentesisamniocentesisămˌnēōˌsĕntēˈsĭs [key], diagnostic procedure in which a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus is removed from the uterus by means of a fine needle…

Rostand, Edmond

(Encyclopedia) Rostand, EdmondRostand, EdmondĕdmôNˈ rôstäNˈ [key], 1868–1918, French poet and dramatist. In 1890 appeared his first volume of verse, Les Musardises. His first plays were light,…

Ride, Sally Kristen

(Encyclopedia) Ride, Sally Kristen 1951–2012, American astrophysicist and astronaut, b. Encino, Calif. With an M.A. in physics (1975) and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Stanford Univ., she joined NASA…

Straujuma, Laimdota

(Encyclopedia) Straujuma, LaimdotaStraujuma, Laimdotalīmˈdōtä strouˈy&oomacr;mä [key], 1951–, Latvian economist and political leader. Straujuma was a division head (1993–97) at the Agriculture…

Southcott, Joanna

(Encyclopedia) Southcott, JoannaSouthcott, Joannasouthˈkət [key], 1750–1814, English religious visionary. Uneducated, even illiterate, she spent her earlier years in domestic service. She began c.…

Sigurðardóttir, Jóhanna

(Encyclopedia) Sigurðardóttir, JóhannaSigurðardóttir, Jóhannayōhäˈnä sĭˈgürᵺärtōˌtĭr [key], 1942–, Icelandic political leader. A former flight attendant (1962–71) and union organizer, she was elected…

Simon

(Encyclopedia) Simon, in the Bible. 1 One of the Maccabees. 2 or Simon Peter: see Peter, Saint. 3 See Simon, Saint. 4 Kinsman of Jesus. 5 Leper of Bethany in whose house a woman anointed Jesus' feet…

Simpson-Miller, Portia

(Encyclopedia) Simpson-Miller, Portia, 1945–, Jamaican political leader, prime minister of Jamaica (2006–7, 2012–16). A member of the People's National party (PNP), she was first elected to…

Baker, Josephine

(Encyclopedia) Baker, Josephine, 1906–75, African-American dancer and singer, b. St. Louis, Mo., as Freda Josephine McDonald. In 1923 and 1924 she…