Perdita Huston
Encyclopedia
Perdita Constance Huston (May 2, 1936 – December 4, 2001) was an American
journalist
and women's rights
activist. She is commemorated by the international Perdita Huston Human Rights Award.
Born in Portland, Maine
, Huston studied in France and later worked in Africa. She was director of public affairs for TIME
magazine in French-speaking countries, and in 1978 became a Regional Director of the Peace Corps
. Her first book "Message from the Village" was also published in 1978.
She later worked for the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in Switzerland and at the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in London and acted as consultant with UNDP, UNIFEM
, UNFPA and UNICEF. From 1997, she returned to work for the Peace Corps as a Country Director in Mali and then Bulgaria.
The Perdita Huston Human Rights Award is supported by the Washington D.C. chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
. The awardees include Sima Samar
(2003).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
activist. She is commemorated by the international Perdita Huston Human Rights Award.
Born in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, Huston studied in France and later worked in Africa. She was director of public affairs for TIME
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
magazine in French-speaking countries, and in 1978 became a Regional Director of the Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
. Her first book "Message from the Village" was also published in 1978.
She later worked for the World Conservation Union (IUCN) in Switzerland and at the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in London and acted as consultant with UNDP, UNIFEM
UNIFEM
The United Nations Development Fund for Women, commonly known as UNIFEM was established in December 1976 originally as the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women in the International Women's Year. Its first director was Dr. Margaret Snyder, Ph.D...
, UNFPA and UNICEF. From 1997, she returned to work for the Peace Corps as a Country Director in Mali and then Bulgaria.
The Perdita Huston Human Rights Award is supported by the Washington D.C. chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America
United Nations Association of the United States of America
The United Nations Association of the United States of America or UNA-USA is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its education, policy and advocacy programs emphasize the...
. The awardees include Sima Samar
Sima Samar
Dr. Sima Samar OC is a politician in Afghanistan, who served as Minister of Women's Affairs of Afghanistan from December 2001 to 2003...
(2003).
Books
- Message from the Village, Epoch B Foundation, 1978 ISBN 0-931730-01-5
- Third World Women Speak Out, Praeger Publishers, 1979 ASIN B000GWIA8Q
- The Right to Choose, Earthscan Publications, 1992 ISBN 1-85383-123-9
- Motherhood by Choice: Pioneers in Women's Health and Family Planning, The Feminist Press 1992 ISBN 1-55861-069-3
- Families As We Are, The Feminist Press, 2001 ISBN 1-55861-250-5 - see also http://www.familiesasweare.com/
Further reading
- Biography - Huston, Perdita Constance (1936-2001) - A digital article from: Contemporary Authors, Thomson Gale, 2006