As we approach the anniversary of the UDHR, we proudly honor Eleanor’s commitment to human rights, by shining a spotlight on incredible work that’s happening now – like the Afghan Legal Professionals Scholarship and Mentoring Pilot Program.

This program assists Afghan judges, lawyers, and prosecutors who were forced to flee their country following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. It offers these courageous legal professionals—especially women—mentorship, access to U.S. legal education, scholarship opportunities, and training required to pursue law careers in the United States.

By doing so, it continues Eleanor’s vision of protecting human rights through education and empowerment, fostering a global community grounded in the rule of law and societal justice. To find out more, watch Michael Byowitz interviewed by Eleanor’s great-granddaughter, Sara Boettiger.

Mike Byowitz is the former partner for more than 30 years and now Of Counsel at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in New York and Chair of the ABA Task Force that created and is implementing the ABA Afghan Legal Professionals Scholarship & Mentoring Pilot Program.

Two recent graduates exemplify the impact of this program on extraordinary women’s lives.

Negina Khalili is a visiting Legal Scholar, Women’s Rights & Human Rights Advocate, and Director of the Women’s Resource Center at Loyola University New Orleans and formerly served as Chief Prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Office of Afghanistan. She was the first female prosecutor in Ghor Province, where she grew up, and has since become a renowned lawyer dedicated to gender justice and the elimination of violence against women.

She earned her law degree from Herat University of Afghanistan and received her Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law and Good Governance from Ohio Northern University in the United States. She has participated in many international legal training programs and conferences. Negina’s professional interests include the promotion of women’s rights, good governance, gender equality, the elimination of violence against women, women’s leadership, peace and security, and legal reform in Afghanistan. Throughout her career, she has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for her unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and empowering Afghan women. Negina continues to amplify the voices of Afghan women globally and advocates for building more inclusive and resilient societies

Najia Mahmodi was a prosecutor and women’s rights advocate specializing in gender justice, violence against women cases, and judicial reform in Afghanistan. As the former Chief Prosecutor for Violence Against Women in Afghanistan’s Attorney General’s Office (AGO) she led groundbreaking work enforcing the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law and prosecuting gender-based crimes. Najia also served as a legal specialist at the

office of the president of Afghanistan and the director of monitoring and investigating of women prisons at the AGO. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Najia was forced to flee her homeland due to grave security threats against women legal professionals. She now resides in Chicago, Illinois with her family, where she continues her advocacy for gender equality and human rights. A Northwestern University LLM graduate and American University of Afghanistan law alumna, Najia combines academic excellence with frontline legal experience. Despite the challenges of displacement, she remains a leading voice for judicial sectors and women’s rights.