Gender Justice Advocates Share Their Journeys with Students

On October 3, 2024, UMN law, graduate, and undergraduate students gathered to attend a panel discussion to hear from three gender justice advocates as part of the event, “Professional Pathways for Pursuing Gender Justice.” The panel included Jess Braverman, the Legal Director at Gender Justice, an organization working to dismantle the legal, political, and structural barriers to gender equity; Cheryl Thomas, the Founder and Executive Director of Global Rights for Women, which works to end gender-based violence against women and girls; and Comfort Dondo, the Founder of Phumulani, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing domestic violence and sexual abuse in communities of color throughout Minnesota and the nation. While Comfort Dondo could not attend the event in person, she shared her remarks which were read by the moderators. Two students, Meagan McIntyre, J.D. candidate at UMN Law School and legal intern at Gender Justice, and Isabella Minahan, an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Spanish Studies and Global Studies and this summer’s Arvonne Fraser Fellow with Global Rights for Women, moderated the discussion. 

In her remarks, Cheryl Thomas shared about the progress that has been made locally and globally on laws protecting women and addressing gender based violence, as well as Minnesota’s legacy in advocating for this legislation. Thomas also shared how her legal education empowered her in her advocacy. 

Jess Braverman shared how they navigated their career path, starting as a legal aid representing children in the foster care system and working in the Hennepin County Public Defender’s office, then shifting to gender justice work. Braverman also discussed their work in impact cases, and how an individual client’s outcomes can affect similar cases to make change, a core idea of human rights work at large.

Comfort Dondo shared her words of wisdom for young human rights professionals looking to create community-serving organizations, including understanding the needs of the community, being resilient and persistent, and balancing giving with self-care. 

After the panel, students attended a networking hour with organizations active in the field of human rights and gender justice. Through lively conversation, students learned more about opportunities at local organizations and ways to engage in this work. 

Professional Pathways for Pursuing Gender Justice was a collaboration between the Human Rights Program; the Human Rights Center, University of Minnesota Law School; and Global Rights for Women, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization. The event was co-sponsored by the Center on Women, Gender, and Public Policy, and was the recipient of a Women’s Center Gender Equity Grant. 

The Human Rights Program is grateful for the support of everyone who made this event possible!