Women's Human Rights

Image Right: Jane Caputi, Jessica Gray, Kawtar Elbekhty, Alexandra "Lexi" Fernandez

The Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights held its 3rd annual celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 77th anniversary of the historic document. PJHR celebrated this milestone with three signature events. Each highlighted a different aspect of women’s human rights.

PJHR'smain signature event held on December 10, 2025 featured a keynote lecture and concluded with a hors d’oeuvres banquet and awards ceremony for the 2025 Spirit of Human Rights awards recipients.

Spirit of Human Rights 2025 Award Recipients

Spirit of Human Rights Undergraduate Award: 
Kawtar Elbekhty, Bachelor of Professional Studies; Minor in Social Work and Peace, Justice and Human Rights

Kawtar Elbekhty is a first-generation undergraduate student at Florida Atlantic University, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Professional Studies with minors in Social Work and Peace, Justice and Human Rights. She serves as President of the Online Student Advisory Board, as well as Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Students of Social Work Club (SOSW). She is passionate about healing-centered, trauma-informed approaches with a focus on justice-impacted youth. Kawtar’s capstone initiative is centered on developing “The Pause Project,” a restorative justice program that integrates mindfulness and yoga practices to support youth in the court system. Beyond her academic work, Kawtar is actively involved in advocacy and community service. She is dedicated to advancing mental health awareness, restorative justice, and systemic change. Kawtar is guided by her belief in dignity, equity, and human rights, and hopes to build pathways for healing and empowerment that honor the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights.

Spirit of Human Rights Graduate Award:
Alexandra Fernandez, Master of Fine Arts: Studio Art 

Alexandra “Lexi” Fernandez is a contemporary printmaker who specializes in etching and woodcut relief printing. Born in San Antonio Texas and raised in a multicultural household, Lexi’s work draws on her experiences as a multicultural woman (the descendant of Mexican and European lineage) to address themes of identity, community, womanhood and what it means to be Latina. An active member in South Florida’s printmaking community, Lexi has been involved with various art markets in South Florida including the Miami Paper & Print Museum’s Small Press Fair and exhibited at institutions such as the Florida Printmakers Biennial, Miami, Florida; Schmidt Gallery, Boca Raton, Florida; and Boca Raton Innovation Center, Boca Raton Florida. Lexi obtained her BFA in 2020 and is a current MFA candidate at Florida Atlantic University where she aims to develop her conceptual research and explore additional technical methods to propel her visual language. Fernandez designed this year’s commemorative t-shirt.

Spirit of Human Rights Faculty Award:
Jane Caputi, PhD Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Florida Atlantic University

Jane Caputi is Professor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Florida Atlantic University. Jane’s primary research is in contemporary American cultural studies, including popular culture, gender and violence, and ecofeminism and environmental justice. She has written many articles and authored four books: “The Age of Sex Crime;” “Gossips, Gorgons, and Crones: The Fates of the Earth;” “Goddesses and Monsters: Women, Myth, Power and Popular Culture;” and “Call Your “Mutha’”: A Deliberately Dirty-Minded Manifesto for the Earth Mother in the Anthropocene.” Jane has made two educational documentaries, “The Pornography of Everyday Life” and “Feed the Green: Feminist Voices for the Earth.” In 2008 she originated and curated the popular paraphernalia visual exhibit “Political Circus 2008: Hating Hillary, Baiting Barak, and Pandering with Palin.” This was followed in 2016 with “Political Sideshow: From (Castrating) Bitch to Big) Nuts and Beyond” and in 2020 with “Political Pandemonium: Presidential Pop Culture from 2008 through 2020.” Jane was FAU’s Distinguished Teacher for 2001 and received FAU’s Research and Scholarly Activities award (Professor level) for 2005 and for 2012. In 2013, she was named “Feminist of the Year” by the Palm Beach County National Organization for Women (NOW). In 2016, she was named Eminent Scholar of the Year by the American Culture/Popular Culture Association and in 2020 the Association for the Study of Women in Mythology gave her their annual “Saga Award” for contributions to women’s history and culture.

Spirit of Human Rights Community Award:
Jessica Gray, Community Advocate, Nonprofit Leader, and Sustainability Champion

Jessica Gray is dedicated to protecting South Florida’s coastal environment and empowering residents to take part in solutions that matter. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Boca Save Our Beaches, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she established in 2015 that has grown into a community of more than 10,000 supporters. The organization leads beach cleanups, conservation education programs, and grant-funded partnerships designed to protect marine ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship. Under Jessica’s leadership, Boca Save Our Beaches has become a trusted voice for residents, civic groups, and policymakers working together to protect natural resources for future generations. Gray served on the City of Boca Raton’s Sustainability and Environmental Advisory Boards, where she provides guidance on local policy and advocates for community-centered approaches to sustainability. Her commitment to civic engagement extends beyond environmental work. She has built strong partnerships across nonprofit, academic, and municipal networks, ensuring that residents have a platform to share their voices and influence decisions affecting their communities. Jessica is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University, where she earned her B.S.B.A. in Management and Marketing in 2009.

View the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 30 Articles

 Signature EVENTS Archive

Environment and Women

2 – 3:30 pm, October 7, 2025 | Live Oak, Student Union (UN)
Speakers/guests/partners: Rory Fielding, David Davis, Cristina Hicks, Stephanie Anderson, Jessica Gray. Moderated by Stacey Balkan
This event is free and open to the public. More information by email to pjhr@fau.edu | 561-297-4801

 
Women in the Armed Forces

11 am – 2 pm, November 20, 2025 | Live Oak (Student Union)
Speakers/guests/partners: Sam Orozco and Screening of film “I am Vanessa Guillen” on Netflix followed by Q & A. This event is free and open to the public. More information by email to pjhr@fau.edu | 561-297-4801


 

 
PJHR's 77th Annual Celebration for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Program

Keynote, Workshops, Awards Ceremony and Banquet

• 1 – 6 pm, December 10, 2025 | Majestic Palm Room, Student Union (UN)
  
  

PJHR’s annual fall signature event brings together practitioners, academics, diplomats, politicians, teachers and others to raise awareness about and learn how to better advance the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The celebration will include art, keynote, breakout sessions, and will conclude with a hors d’oeuvres banquetand awards ceremony. Kenote address featuring Duilia Mora Turner,  Leadership, Human Security, and Foreign Affairs Advisor with a special interest in Latin America and the Caribbean. Registration will be required (Coming Soon)

• 1-1:30 pm: Welcome and Introduction, Angela D. Nichols, Director PJHR
• 1:30-1:50 pm: Mary Ellen Scherl, Artist, Filmmaker, Founder of Defending Democracy
• 1:50-2:20 pm: Keynote: Duilia Mora Turner, Leadership, Human Security, and Foreign Affairs Advisor 
• 2:20-2:30 pm: Coffee Break
• 2:30-3:15 pm: Workshop 1: The 30 Articles with Marquese McFerguson, PhD
• 3:15-4 pm: Workshop 2: Connecting the Dots: From the UDHR to Local Democracy with Gail Choate, PhD
• 4-6 pm: Awards Reception

This event is free and open to the public. 

More information by email to pjhr@fau.edu  |  View the 76th Anniversary Celebration UDHR Event Archive (2024)