HRAD Archive

In honor of Don & Arvonne Fraser, this award is presented to an individual or organization with sustained dedication and unwavering commitment to promoting human rights.

The Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde is the 2026 recipient of the Don and Arvonne Fraser Human Rights Award. We honor Bishop Budde for her commitment to human rights and the dignity of all people, particularly for her public defense of immigrants, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and those excluded from power. Her book, How We Learn to Be Brave, describes the moments in our lives when we must act with courage and the importance of what we do afterward. Bishop Budde became the first woman elected as spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., and she previously served as rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis for 18 years.

Volunteers are the driving force of The Advocates for Human Rights. Each year, we honor individuals who have made an extraordinary difference in advancing our mission.

Mohammed Dukuly (aka Duke) has volunteered with The Advocates for Human Rights for more than 25 years

Rebecca Schiller is a dedicated volunteer for The Advocates for Human Rights

Francesca Ceravolo is an International Justice Legal Intern at The Advocates for Human Rights from April 2024 to December 2025

We are grateful for their exceptional commitment and courage and are honored to present these organizations with Pro Bono Awards.

During the last year, our community, work, and mission have been under attack, but we could fight back in the courts because of Berger Montague, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, Democracy Forward, Fredrikson, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), and Stinson. These six law firms and organizations stepped forward at a critical time to challenge unlawful actions and defend human rights.

Special Recognition to Lee Svitak Dean and Tom Wallace
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