By Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, G.L.O.B.A.L. Founder/President
Nov. 15, 2021
It is with a remarkably heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Prof. David Weissbrodt -- a man who has had a distinctively important role in my life and career, including at G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice.
Prof. David Weissbrodt was many things in my life -- beloved Professor, Mentor, Employer, Advisor, Board Director, & Friend,. I had the blessing of having Prof. Weissbrodt for several of my law school courses at the University of Minnesota Law School (1994-1997), but most notably his International Human Rights Law Course. That course set me on a path to a lifelong career focused on international human rights.
I had the opportunity to work for Prof. Weissbrodt as a law student and co-authored with him an article that appeared in the Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights. Thereafter, once he became the U.S. Member for the U.N. Sub-Commission for Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities (later the U.N. Sub-Commission on Human Rights), I had another amazing opportunity to serve with him in Geneva, Switzerland through an a grant from the renowned Human Rights Center, which he had established. After graduation, I served as Development and Policy Director for Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights (now Advocates for Human Rights) which he founded and continued to serve as General Counsel. We had extensive meetings, engaged in many events, and had so many remarkable experiences together in all of these contexts.
As I continued my career in Washington, D.C., California, and now Colorado, my relationship and collaborations with David continued. By 2014, when I established my own organization, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice, David served as one of my first Board Directors and as Expert Commentator.
While we had so many wonderful educational and professional experiences together, what I enjoyed most were my visits with David and his family when I travelled to MN with my family. I was especially honored to return to the University of Minnesota for a special tribute event for David at his retirement from his full-time faculty role. It was an evening filled with the Who's Who of human rights -- and all influenced by David.
My last visit with David and his family was pre-COVID-19 and during a summer trip to MN. We had great conversations over lunch at St. Anthony Main. David's soft but strong voice had become softer, but his quick, alert mind remained sharp. But I knew that his health was wearing on him. I was so hopeful we would have just one more visit. But despite not having that opportunity, I will cherish all the remarkable years and memories we have had together.
Prof. David Weissbrodt will always be considered a giant in international human rights. But he also shared his platform and his opportunities to allow me and many others to also learn and lead in this field. For that and so much more, I am forever grateful to David.
https://law.umn.edu/news/2021-11-12-minnesota-law-mourns-passing-legendary-human-rights-professor-david-weissbrodt