A Recommitment to Human Rights, Equality, and Unity

Monday, December 02, 2024 | 11:55am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         

Every year, the Tennessee Human Rights Commission honors the work of Tennesseans who advocate for human rights in their communities.

(Nashville, TN – December 2, 2024) - December 10th marks International Human Rights Day. The day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.

The UDHR, its preamble and 30 articles, represent the universal recognition that basic rights and fundamental freedoms are inherent to all human beings and that every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights. The declaration strengthened the human rights movement and was the first time in history the United Nations outlined universal civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights for all human beings. It has been translated into over 500 languages and has inspired more than seventy human rights treaties in existence today.

Each December, human rights advocates around the world celebrate International Human Rights Day. Tennesseans will celebrate on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill in Nashville, TN. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Human Rights Today: A Recommitment to Equality and Unity” and it will serve as a powerful reminder of the importance collective action in the pursuit of human rights.

This year the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will recognize human rights leaders across the state. The 2024 honorees championed human rights for a diverse range of Tennesseans including incarcerated peoples, new Americans, and the disabled community.

2024 Honorees include:

  • The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award: Brenda Morrow, lifelong community advocate and Director of the Edgehill Family Resource Center.
  • The 2024 Outstanding Service Award: Dr. Julie Doochin, founder of the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative; Dr. Paul Juarez, Vice Chair of the Department of Family & Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College. 
  • The 2024 Rising Advocate Award: Judith Clerjeune, Campaign & Advocacy Director with the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition; Justin Munoz, Community Engagement Manager with Conexión Américas; Stephanie Watson, Safety Program Manager with the TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security.

When speaking with the United Nations on the importance of Human Rights, Eleanor Roosevelt stated, “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seek equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

Although we live in divisive times, Human Rights Day offers us the time to reflect on the most basic and inalienable rights that all persons are entitled to. I hope this year we can come together and unite in recognition of our progress in human rights and celebrate those in our communities are who are empowering others to live with dignity and equal opportunity.

Please join us for the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 5:30pm CST at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill in Nashville, TN. Tickets for the celebration can be found here.