As a professor and mentor, Sally always made herself available and listened. She always made it a point to ask how I was doing especially as I had two little ones at home. I didn’t have to tell Sally how my research and writing was getting done with two small children. She knew. Sally was loved dearly by her students. Over the years we had many great discussions about human rights, the culture of human rights spaces and why it was so difficult for human rights institutions to name race. She made me think about my research questions on the subject of human rights in new and exciting ways.
The last time I saw Sally it was over dinner with several colleagues and we were having a conversation about teaching and the difficulties of doing so right after finishing my PhD. I remember her saying “Right now they see you as an older sister. Then they will start seeing you as their mom and once you’re a grandma to them forget it.” I remember laughing at this comment knowing very well that Sally’s engagement with students had not waned over the years. We parted ways not knowing it would be the last time I would see her. I am forever thankful for all the great conversations, mentorship and support over the years.