[Weissberg Chair]Raufa Hassan al-Sharki (1958-2011) was a noted academic and human rights activist from Yemen who served as professor of mass media and director of the Women's Studies Center at the University of Sana'a. A leading advocate of women's rights and democratization, she wrote a regular newspaper column for many years, directed a program that registered women voters throughout Yemen, and has played a key role in training women candidates for parliament and local councils. Her work focused on the advancement of human rights and dignity in Yemen, the Middle East, and the world.