Three Incredible Human Rights Students, Three Well-Deserved Awards

The Human Rights Program would like to congratulate the newest recipients of the Inna Meiman and Sullivan Ballou Human Rights Awards: Kate Denny, Anishaa Kamesh, and Brittany Becker!

The Inna Meiman Award recognizes a University of Minnesota student that embodies a commitment to human rights and was made to honor Inna Kitrosskaya Meiman, a Soviet-Jewish dissident and refusenik, who was denied a visa to the United States for life-saving cancer treatment. Lisa Paul, a former student of the University of Minnesota and friend of Inna, did all she could to bring Inna to the US, including a 25-day hunger strike. Learn more about Lisa and Inna’s story here, and learn more about Lisa Paul’s story in her book, Swimming in the Daylight.

Named in honor of Major Sullivan Ballou, a U.S. Civil War army soldier who was killed in the First Battle of Bull Run, the Sullivan Ballou Award recognizes two University of Minnesota students who devote heartfelt energy toward promoting human rights. More information on the Sullivan Ballou Fund can be found here, and Major Sullivan Ballou’s story can be found here.

Kate Denney received the Inna Meiman Award

Kate is a graduating Senior double majoring in Spanish and Global Studies. Her selfless devotion to the advancement of human rights is reflected in her history of academic and community engagement. Kate studied and worked on immigration in 2017 with Human Rights advocates on the U.S. - Mexico border, leaving behind water and food in addition to other necessities for survival. She worked alongside psychologists to support the provision of psychological therapy for victims of and perpetrators of inter-family violence during a semester-long study abroad program in Ecuador. Kate has also worked with Professor Barbara Frey on the Human Rights Initiative-funded Observatory on Enforced Disappearances in Mexico, carefully coding sensitive information on disappearances to evaluate how reports by press affect impunity for enforced disappearances. This is only a small sample of what Kate has done to defend and further human rights, and surely this won’t be the end.

Brittany Becker received the Sullivan Ballou Award

Brittany is also a graduating Senior majoring in Global Studies. Her dedication to the wellbeing of others and strong work ethic mirror her character and love of Human Rights. She worked as a Site Coordinator Intern for Loaves and Fishes in 2017, managing a kitchen and volunteered to provide free meals for upwards of 50 homeless people a day. Brittany also served as a Community Organizer at the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, working on issues revolving around immigration and campaigning for local representation in the Osseo school district. As an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Human Rights Program’s Observatory on Enforced Disappearances in Mexico, Brittany coded articles of over 80 victims of disappearances. Brittany certainly has a lot more to share on her zeal for human rights, and her drive will lead her to continue advocating/defending human rights.

Anishaa Kamesh received the Sullivan Ballou Award

Anishaa Kamesh is pursuing a Bachelors of Independent Studies including a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Life sciences, and Global studies. She is a former Fraser Fellow who worked with ECPAT-USA in New York on child trafficking prevention and education. She has also interned with the Research, Education, and Advocacy Program at the Advocates for Human Rights. Anishaa is also a board member of Break the Silence, a nonprofit that works with survivors of sexual violence. She remains involved on campus, working with the UMN chapter of She’s the First, an international nonprofit organization that supports education for women. Anishaa’s hard work and vigor for human rights, especially for the rights of women and children, mirrors the future to come in line with human rights advocacy and action by Anishaa.