Penn Law International Human Rights Advocates

Co-Directors

Rushmi Ramakrishna graduated from the Johns Hopkins University in 2005 and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in 2006. As an undergraduate, Rushmi interned with the Former Chief Justice of India, M.N. Venkatachaliah. At SAIS, Rushmi studied Conflict Management, African Studies, and International Economics, focusing particularly on the nexus between conflict prevention and the promotion of human rights. In addition, she has worked for The Protection Project and Search for Common Ground.

Erin Valentine graduated from University of California, Irvine with a degree in International Studies. Her research focused on transnational accountability, human rights, and US foreign policy.  Following graduation, Erin worked for Amnesty International's Campaigns Department wherein she assisted with research on topics ranging from violence against women in Turkey to the arms trade.  Additionally, she volunteered at the Institute for Motivating Self-Employment, a micro-credit and woman's development organization in rural India. While with IMSE, Erin assisted in the development and implementation of policies and procedures structured to increase the efficacy of grass roots and mass action programs. 

Executive Board

Erin Argueta graduated from Carleton College with a Biology degree.  She spent 2 1/2 years in El Salvador as a Rural Health and Sanitation Volunteer with Peace Corps.  In El Salvador she worked on road and electricity projects, built fuel-efficent stoves, and spoke with her communities about gender, self-esteem and family violence.  When she returned to the U.S., she worked on HIV prevention and education in Providence, RI.  She was also involved in harm reduction research about HIV testing, methadone for prisoners, and naloxone trainings to prevent opiate overdose deaths.  In addition to working with IHRA, Erin is a member of the Penn Law Immigration Clinic.

Eric Foley graduated from Tulane University in 2004 with a BA in History and International Relations.  He spent a year working with the AmeriCorps NCCC program, traveling throughout the United States performing various community service projects that ran the gamut from constructing burn breaks & setting prescribed forest fires in MN, to providing disaster relief services in LA following hurricane Katrina. He volunteered with L.I.F.E. Argentina, an organization serving underprivileged youth in Buenos Aires, during the summer of 2006.   In addition to working with IHRA, Eric is also a member of the Immigration Clinic and the Food Stamp Clinic.

Alison Stein graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 with a degree in English and in African Studies. After college, she founded The Younger Women's Task Force, a national organization empowering women in their 20s and 30s to be leaders in their communities and workplaces. In less than three years, YWTF has grown to over 5,000 members in 42 states, organized in 12 chapters across the country. Alison has worked in Haiti, Tanzania, and most recently in Ghana, where she helped open a family planning clinic. In addition to working with IHRA, Alison is a member of the Reproductive Rights Clinic and Penn Advocates for the Homeless.