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Helen Suzman was one of South Africa's most vociferous and energetic opponents of apartheid. She fought the ideology of apartheid on every front - as a Member of Parliament for thirty-five years representing the Progressive Party, in the townships, prisons, schools and streets. She referred to herself as the "honorary ombudsman for all those people who have no vote." She worked tirelessly and vociferously, never flinching from expressing her outrage at the pernicious social system created by apartheid policies. Her lonely and tenacious fight for human rights and dignity led her to a lifelong friendship with Nelson Mandela. On Helen's 90th birthday in November 2007, Mandela wrote "She is a person appreciated by all South Africans. Her courage, integrity and principled commitment to justice have marked her as one of the outstanding figures of our history."

The Helen Suzman exhibition was originated by the Isaac and Jessie Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies and Research at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. The Curator is Millie Pimstone, Project Initiator and Coordinator is Prof. Milton Shain, and the Graphic Designer is Linda Bester. Jill Vexler is the Project Manager for the American tour which will take place from 2009 through 2012.

Funding was provided by the Dobkin Family Foundation, New York.

http://www.helensuzmanexhibition.com
http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=41466
http://www.barnard.edu/events/archive/1002.html