Janet Benshoof facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janet Benshoof
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| Born | May 10, 1947 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Died | December 18, 2017 (aged 70) |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota, Harvard Law School |
| Occupation | Lawyer, activist |
| Known for | Center for Reproductive Rights, Global Justice Center |
| Awards | MacArthur Fellows Program |
Janet Benshoof (May 10, 1947 – December 18, 2017) was an American lawyer. She was a strong supporter of human rights. Janet worked to make sure everyone had fair treatment under the law. She founded two important organizations: the Global Justice Center and the Center for Reproductive Rights. These groups help protect human rights around the world.
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Education and Learning
Janet Benshoof studied political science at the University of Minnesota. She graduated in 1969 with the highest honors. In 1972, she earned her law degree from Harvard Law School. She paid for her studies with money she saved from a summer job.
Later, Janet taught human rights law. She taught at Bard College and Harvard Law School. She also gave special lectures at other top universities. These included Yale, Columbia, and Rutgers.
Important Legal Work
Janet Benshoof helped create new legal rules. These rules were used in the U.S. Supreme Court. She also worked in international courts. She trained people at the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal. This led to a big decision in the Middle East. It gave women more rights under international law.
She also taught leaders, judges, and UN groups. She showed them how to use international human rights laws. This included laws about women's rights. She helped ensure women could seek justice for crimes.
For 15 years, she led a project at the American Civil Liberties Union. This project focused on gender equality and free speech. She also advised women from countries like Burma, Kurdistan, and Iraq. She helped them write new laws for their countries.
Center for Women's Rights
In 1992, Janet Benshoof started a new group. It was first called the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy. Today, it is known as the Center for Reproductive Rights. This was the first group of its kind. It focused on women's rights to equality around the world. Janet was its first president.
Under her leadership, the Center grew. It worked with the United Nations. It started legal projects in over 40 countries. The Center also won major cases. Some of these cases were heard in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Global Justice Center
In 2005, Janet Benshoof founded another organization. It was called the Global Justice Center (GJC). She was its president. The GJC is based in New York City. It works to make sure human rights laws are followed. Its main goal is to improve gender equality.
In 2011, Janet suggested something important. She thought Myanmar's military government should face charges. This was for breaking international laws. She wanted them to go before the International Criminal Court.
Awards and Recognition
Janet Benshoof received many awards for her work:
- 1992 MacArthur Fellows Program
- 1993 "Civil Liberties Heroine" Award, Freedom From Religion Foundation
- Edith I. Spivack Award for Outstanding New York Women Lawyers
- Gloria Steinem Women of Vision Award
- "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" in the National Law Journal
