Jean Freedberg (she/her) is a lifelong champion for human rights, democracy and equality. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersections of policy, communications and movement building to support advocates around the world fighting for LGBTQI+ rights, gender equality, democratic governance, and genocide prevention.
Most recently, Jean led the Global Partnerships program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) strengthening the global equality movement through a network of Global Innovators. She held key roles at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, serving as Communications Director and contributing to its genocide prevention program by sharing the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations.
Jean was in senior leadership at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), first as Country Director in Guyana, focusing on constitutional reform and women’s rights, and later as Public Affairs Director in Washington D.C., helping to increase U.S. support for democratic institutions worldwide. She served as Communications Director at Amnesty International USA, and began her career at Humanitas International, founded by folk legend Joan Baez.
Born in South Africa, Jean was active in the anti-apartheid movement —a commitment to justice and equality that still guides her work. She is a proud graduate of the University of Cape Town and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Research Summary:
Jean's work will combine theory and practice, embodying the Center’s vision of building a bridge between human rights ideas and advocacy. In partnership with the leadership of the Global LGBTQI+ program, she will help design and implement a robust online and in-person learning environment to serve the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Global LGBTQI+ Changemakers Network. She will leverage Harvard’s unparalleled learning and educational resources to support LGBTQI+ advocates around the world, and help maximize the potential of the recently created, and now much-needed, Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program. Courses will cover the basics of LGBTQI+ rights, models of advocacy, organizational development, changing hearts and minds, transgender and intersex rights, and other cutting edge topics.