By Jaune Evans, Tamalpais Trust
This post is the second in a series curated by our colleagues at the International Human Rights Funders Group (IHRFG), a global network of donors and grantmakers committed to advancing human rights around the world. The series will explore the ins and outs of supporting human rights as a funder with few or no staff. Read the first post in the series
Myrna Cunningham, Indigenous rights activist and advisor to Tamalpais Trust
When Myrna Cunningham smiles, the whole world lights up—shining her compassion, insight, and expertise into the dark corners where human rights’ abuses are often hidden or buried. For the past five decades, she has dedicated her life to the world of human rights. Among her many roles, Myrna works as a consultant to Tamalpais Trust, which was created in 2012 as a 20-year grantmaking initiative to benefit Indigenous-led organizations.
Rooted in her Miskito culture and land-base which spans the Atlantic-Caribbean coast of Nicaragua and Honduras, Myrna’s journey began with an academic scholarship to a Catholic school along with two other “disadvantaged” girls. “There was nothing else to do but study,” she says, “and the nuns gave me special attention.” Ever since, she has been studying and giving special attention to the fields of education and international human rights.
Myrna first became a grade school teacher, then the first Miskita woman doctor in Nicaragua. Her everyday humility belies a demanding career in which she holds several high-level public positions at once. In her home city of Porto Cabezas, nearly every person she meets on the street greets her with a warm hug and family news. More often than not she will acknowledge that she birthed this person or their daughter or son. She has six children of her own and many grandchildren at home now too.
