We would like to take this moment to honor the memory of a great leader, activist, and human being: our beloved friend Sonia Pierre.
Honored with the 2010 International Women of Courage Award, Sonia Pierre became an activist at the young age of 13, when she was arrested for being the spokesperson of a group of Haitian sugar-cane cutters who were protesting for better wages and living conditions. Mrs. Pierre eventually founded and directed the Movement for Dominican Women of Haitian Descent (MUDHA), an NGO that launches public education campaigns and legal actions to fight anti-Haitian discrimination in the Dominican Republic and address the issue of statelessness for people unable to reap the benefits and protections of nationality and citizenship.
Sonia Pierre and MOSCTHA partnered in many occasions to ensure migrant workers access to food and medicine, as well as to address issues of adolescent pregnancy and the prevention of sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Following the earthquake in Haiti, her organization was among the first responders, bringing aid across the border into Port-au-Prince and neighboring affected areas .Most recently, Mrs Pierre spoke at the 2011 Washington conference and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on statelessness and the right to Nationality.
Once again, we would like to express our most sincere and deep condolences on the passing of a great woman, leader and friend. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed
Honored with the 2010 International Women of Courage Award, Sonia Pierre became an activist at the young age of 13, when she was arrested for being the spokesperson of a group of Haitian sugar-cane cutters who were protesting for better wages and living conditions. Mrs. Pierre eventually founded and directed the Movement for Dominican Women of Haitian Descent (MUDHA), an NGO that launches public education campaigns and legal actions to fight anti-Haitian discrimination in the Dominican Republic and address the issue of statelessness for people unable to reap the benefits and protections of nationality and citizenship.