The Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee, formed in 2004, is part of a global network of regional support committees composed of opinion leaders from a variety of backgrounds. The committees constitute an informed and engaged constituency that is essential for the defense of human rights. They seek to increase awareness of local and global human rights issues and enlist the public and governments to support basic rights for all. Committee members meet regularly to learn about human rights crises and policies and support Human Rights Watch through outreach, advocacy, and fundraising initiatives.

Members of the Chicago Committee strengthen Human Rights Watch by contributing financially to its work, attracting potential supporters, and promoting the organization’s message and concerns locally. Membership in the Human Rights Watch Chicago Committee provides an inside perspective on the most pressing human rights issues of the day. The Committee is focused on outreach, education, and advocacy with fundraising responsibility in Chicago. Members are asked to attend Committee meetings, participate regularly in Committee events, and join a subcommittee.

Chicago Committee
Founded 2004

Leadership

Dedrea Gray, Co-Chair
Elizabeth Cicchelli, Co-Chair
Deone Jackman, Advocacy Co-Chair
William Mahoney, Advocacy Co-Chair
Anne Studzinski , Advocacy Co-Chair
Cathy Stein, Membership Chair
Colleen Murphy , Outreach Co-Chair
Ryan Blitstein, Outreach Co-Chair
Marjorie Benton, Planning Co-Chair
Jill Garling, Planning Co-Chair
Karen Ehlers, Midwest Outreach Advisor
Mitchell Cobey, Film Festival Co-Chair
Judy Wise, Executive Committee Member
Judy Gaynor, Founding Co-Chair
Susan Manilow, Founding Co-Chair
Ellen Alberding, Past Chair
Margaret Duncan, Past Chair
Carolyn Grisko, Past Chair
Grace Newton, Past Chair

Ahmed Abdelsalam
Lucy Ascoli
Jeanne Atkinson
Edgar Bachrach
Cherif Bassiouini
Susan Berkowitz
Margo Blair
Rafik Boughadou
Ann Chikahisa
Fay Clayton
Doris Conant
Howard Conant , Jr.
Dolores Connolly
Judy Cottle
Susan Crown
Aruna Dhingra
Janet Diederichs
Sunny Fischer
Bill Forsyth
Maya Friedler
Kevin Gallagher
Martha Gardner
Jenny Gillespie
Susan Gzesh
Terence Halliday
Tracy Hannan
Anne G. Helms
Lynette Jackson
Andrea Jett
Kelly Kaiser
Marilyn Katz
Mike Koldyke
Susan Krantz
Liz Lefkofsky
Julie Lepri
Rose Lizarraga
Rakesh Madhava
Susan McColgan
Lori McMullen
Karen Mellen
Maaria Mozaffar
James Pappachen
Susmita Poddar
Michael Pope
Dorothy Press
Sheridan Prior
Zora Ristanovic
Anna C. Roosevelt
Narimon Safavi
Esther Saks
Jane Saks
Jennifer Schulze
Smita Shah
Julia Stasch
Ellen Stone Belic
Jeanne Sullivan
G. Marc Whitehead
Judy Wise

Jonathan F. Fanton, Founding Member