Women’s rights activistAnne-Marie Coriolan celebrated as Afrofeminist school recruits new cohort

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Late Haitian feminist Anne-Marie Coriolan will have her name honored once again as applications open for the third cohort of a Latin America regional Afrofeminist training school.

The Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women has opened new applications for the Anne-Marie Coriolan Regional Afrofeminist School, a program that honors the life and work of the prominent activist who died in Haiti’s 2010 earthquake.

The training, to be conducted online in Spanish from July 16 to Sept. 15, 2025, seeks to strengthen the activist and analytical capacities of Afro-descendant women across the Americas.

Launched in 2023, the school has grown into a political education space and hub for strategic reflection, paying tribute to Coriolan’s legacy.

“One of the goals is undoubtedly to shape young people in Anne-Marie’s image,” said Carole Jacob, a longtime Haitian feminist activist and defender of women’s rights. “In the Haitian feminist movement, we’re very proud of this.”

The program addresses racial, economic, climate, social, and reparative justice themes, all explored through an Afrofeminist and decolonial lens.

According to the network of women’s organizers, the first two cohorts generated significant interest. The inaugural session alone received over 250 applications for just 45 slots. For the school, this success underscores the demand for a training platform tailored to Afro-descendant activists and rooted in the feminist struggles of Haiti’s Coriolan.

“Anne-Marie Coriolan was one of the most iconic and well-known feminists in the Afro-Caribbean movement,” added Jacob, a trained jurist. “That’s why this school bears her name—to honor her legacy.”

By bearing her name, the school establishes a direct lineage with the struggles led by Black feminist pioneers across the region.

Who was Anne-Marie Coriolan?

Coriolan, a trailblazing feminist, began her human rights and social justice work in the 1970s. A sociologist and economist, she spent her life advancing women’s rights, improving literacy among marginalized groups, and promoting equity.

She co-founded key organizations like Solidarité Fanm Ayisyèn (SOFA), a leading women’s voice against gender-based violence. Coriolan also helped establish Haiti’s Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights, serving as deputy chief of staff and later as a senior advisor.

One of her most transformative achievements was advocating to redefine rape as a punishable crime under Haitian law, overturning its previous classification as a “crime of passion.” She also spearheaded efforts to secure civil registration for thousands of women and children, particularly in communities like Marchand Dessalines, according to the Quebec Association of International Cooperation Organizations (AQOCI).

A steadfast figure in Haitian and Afro-Caribbean feminism, Coriolan embodied political clarity, courage, and solidarity. Her name now symbolizes educational and activist initiatives across the Americas, including the school that bears her name.

A platform for solidarity, memory, and transformation

Launched in 2023, the Anne-Marie Coriolan Regional Afrofeminist School emerged in response to structural inequalities facing Afro-descendant women. Its pedagogy emphasizes horizontal dialogue, preserving historical feminist memory, and community engagement.

By fostering transnational connections between activists, the school strengthens a collective voice capable of influencing policies and global agendas. The third cohort signals a new phase in cultivating regional Afrofeminist leadership, rooted in local realities and aimed at social transformation.

Applications are open from July 1 to 8, with limited spots available. Each cohort is designed with a regional perspective, featuring modules led by experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean.

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