Inspirational women through the eyes of Fulbrighters #3

For International Women's Month, we invited Fulbrighters to share stories of some of the most inspirational women they encountered during their Fulbright grant.

Dorothy Toth Beasley

Former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright once said; “ There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women…”. Honorable Dorothy Toth Beasley, retired Court of Appeals Senior Judge, and the person I am honored to call my mentor, is a woman with a long and distinguished legal path made up of sound career choices. I hold her in highest regard. Beyond her obvious professional success, what I admire most is her life-long commitment to investing in the enrichment of people’s lives. Not only my life, but so many other professionals (female and male). Her ability to balance professionalism and humanity is truly inspiring. Judge Beasley example has taught me that the higher you climb, the more you need to pause, extend both hands downwards, to help pull others upwards, so they too can achieve their goals….that’s when you are truly successful.

- Dr. Jo. D. Chitlik, LLM, Esq., Human Rights Attorney. Fulbright Specialist, 2020-2025 - Colombia (2021), Pakistan (Fall 2023)

Caterina Arcidiacono

Professor Arcidiacono has to be one of the hardest working people I have ever met, constantly doing work to highlight the epidemic of domestic violence in Italy and beyond. She embraced me and my project when she realized the power of images in conjunction with her department's research on this topic. I was grateful that she enthusiastically connected me with multiple people to interview, including Italian Senator Valeria Valente, and for using her connections with those in powerful positions to help make my project a success. Our admiration for each other has solidified our friendship and we have plans to collaborate in the near future.

- Catherine Del Buono is an artist and filmmaker who focuses on social issues, specifically on domestic violence survivors.