Dear John,
This past Wednesday, on International Human Rights Day, I had the honor of attending the ceremony where our colleague Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli received the Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award from UNA-NCA for her steadfast work promoting human rights and antiracism in the region. Having known and worked alongside Gimena for almost two decades now, this recognition was a powerful reminder of the dedication and impact that define WOLA's staff and our work across the Americas.
International Human Rights Day is always a meaningful moment for us to reflect on and reaffirm our commitment to human rights. This year, that reflection felt particularly poignant as we celebrated Gimena joining a remarkable list of honorees—including WOLA's own founder, Joe Eldridge. Her work exemplifies the collaborative spirit that drives our mission: building relationships with brave human rights defenders, resilient community leaders, and countless partners who strengthen our collective efforts every day.
Gimena sat down with the WOLA communications team to reflect on this honor and what it means for our work moving forward. I invite you to read the full Q&A and stay tuned for our upcoming episode of Latin America Today, where Gimena’s reflects on this recognition.
The work, of course, continues. This week, I moderated a critical discussion on Militarization in the Americas: Geopolitical Reconfigurations and New Practices of Violence, a webinar co-organized with CELS, Conectas, and DeJusticia. These conversations remind me why our partnerships across the region are so vital—they help us understand the evolving and common challenges to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, and they strengthen our collective response.
Looking back on this year, I am acutely aware of the immense challenges we've faced. Yet moments like Gimena's recognition and our continued collaboration with partners throughout the Americas remind me of the strength we draw from working together. I am confident that , collectively , we will continue to meet next year's challenges with the same dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice that have always defined this work.
Thank you for being part of this community and for your continued support of WOLA's mission.
Sincerely,
