Sandrine Desamours, the daughter of Haitian parents who worked in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), as a teacher and professor, moved to the United States with her family during the height of the HIV/AIDs crisis. It was a difficult time both to be of Haitian descent and to have lived in Africa, and Desamours’ experiences as a teen in the U.S. during that time inspired her, while in college, to join marches and demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and in New York to advocate against discriminatory policies. Post college, she began interpreting for Haitian refugees. Later, she worked in New York for the National Coalition of Haitian Rights, advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees.
Desamours decided to attend Miami Law because she knew it was the right decision for her and her daughter as she began her life as a newly single parent. She chose Miami Law because of the types of courses, professors, and scholarships that were the best option for her family. In fact, UM’s Summer Institute to support minority law students, founded by Professor Waters, was the key to her decision making. Further, she also strongly wanted to pursue a career in human rights because of her experiences, and Miami offered the opportunity to work with a myriad of refugees and migrants from diverse nationalities.
While in law school, Desamours was a member of the Honor Council, an opportunity she cherished because she was selected by her peers to represent them and advocate on their behalf. She was also a member of the Black Law Students Association, where she participated in activities that promoted togetherness and gave her and other students, especially women of color, a space to share their law school experiences, and the opportunity to show that Black students at Miami Law, many of whom were top students in their previous schools, and or were high scorers of the LSAT, were there by merit. She was also Miami Public Interest Scholar and HOPE volunteer.
She credits these conversations with helping her prepare for the work she does now, advocating on behalf of refugees with certain governments that are averse to their interests. She was also a research assistant for the law library, where she was able to hone her research skills, build community with other students, and spend time with her daughter, who would work on homework while Desamours was at work.
Something that Desamours finds unique about Miami Law is that the professors and the deans were exceptionally helpful and close with the students. The community remains cohesive even after graduation. She had great relationships with professors, including a torts professor who inspired her to pursue other paths, leading her to eventually get an LL.M. in Estate Planning. As further proof of the faculty’s support of students, she persuaded the department to provide her with a scholarship, which did not previously exist.
In her 3L year, the faculty allowed Desamours to intern at the UN Refugee Agency in Senegal - an opportunity which directly led to the start of her career with UNHCR. Right after graduation she returned to UNHCR, where she has worked since. She loves her career, which has allowed her to advocate for refugees in countries all over the world.
Desamours is honored to have undertaken life-changing work for vulnerable people forcibly displaced, internationally, whilst empowering girls and women through her example. Her daughter Ife-Sandrine was able to grow up in eight different countries, learning to speak many different languages. Her own passion for humanitarian work led her seek and now hold a B.S. from UC Berkeley, a Master’s Degree in Microbial Biology from Yale School of Medicine, and pursue a Ph.D. in Infectious Diseases, also at Yale School of Medicine. Ife-Sandrine’s own passion for travel has led her to create The Loop, an app for travelers.
Desamours has had the opportunity to work in many diverse countries, and in cities whose contributions to humanities have been forgotten, such as the great cities of Timbuktu and Damascus. In her free time, she explores the best each has to offer. She loves swimming, horseback riding, visiting museums, palaces, mosques, and experiencing all of these with her family, including her parents whom she brought along when the opportunity allowed (for there were times she served in conflict-driven cities, such as in Gao or Agadez).
After two decades of working abroad, Desamours is looking forward to connecting with alumni and students at Miami Law now that technology has improved so greatly, allowing for easy international communication. She hopes that by reconnecting she will be able to inspire students, women, and people of color to pursue careers in human rights advocacy.
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