29 Facts About Judy Dushku

Judith Ann Rasmussen Dushku was born on 30 March 1942 and is an American academic political scientist, journalist, writer, and humanitarian.

An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and well known as a Mormon feminist, Judy Dushku cofounded the Mormon women's journal Exponent II, was the Relief Society president for the Boston stake of the LDS Church, became lead founder of a humanitarian agency in Uganda, and is a professor of government at Suffolk University, specializing in comparative politics and the interaction of policy and gender since the 1970s.

Judy Dushku has been dean of a satellite campus, has won two major awards at Suffolk, and has been a Fulbright Senior Specialist.

Judy Dushku was extensively quoted by Mitt Romney when he was running for a US presidential candidacy.

Judy Dushku's daughter, Eliza Dushku, is a successful television and film actress.

Judy Dushku's father joined the US Navy, and was later director of the National Civil Defense Staff College, as well as an active Mormon leader.

Judy Dushku grew up in multiple US locations, as a self-described "military brat," and completed high school in Michigan.

Judy Dushku had two sisters, one of whom died in 1990.

Judy Dushku graduated with a BA in political science in 1964.

Judy Dushku stayed on, and in time secured tenure, ultimately teaching there for more than 45 years.

Judy Dushku accommodated foreign students, notably from Africa, and China, at home.

Judy Dushku concentrated on how these and related events and economic shifts impact on the lives of women, and she has spoken and written on rural development and health, with specific reference to women.

Judy Dushku took part in the third and fourth UN conferences on women, in Nairobi in 1985 and Beijing in 1995.

Judy Dushku led study trips to more than twenty countries, often in transitional situations, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Nicaragua.

Judy Dushku has been voted Suffolk University Professor of the Year and received a Lifetime Contribution Award from the institution.

Judy Dushku has explained how she became interested in questions of diversity and rights, referencing her upbringing; she has commented that the Vietnam War changed her perspective.

Judy Dushku joined some anti-war groups, and took an increasing interest in broader social issues, including those of women's rights, and the promotion of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Judy Dushku has written on topics such as women's rights, domestic abuse, and treatment of women in the LDS Church.

In 1974, Judy Dushku was one of the founders of Exponent II, a women's journal published by, and largely for, Mormon women, and inspired by the early Woman's Exponent published by members of the Relief Society from 1872 to 1914.

Judy Dushku featured on the masthead from the first issue and for many years she ran the Sisters Speak column, where readers could write in about personal issues.

Judy Dushku remained involved with the magazine for decades, including two terms as president, as it addressed a wide range of issues, including feminism in general and in a Mormon context, marriage, reproductive rights, as well as anti-war movements and other concerns from a feminine perspective.

The Exponent II group, including Judy Dushku, ran a series of classes on the role of women in the LDS Church.

Judy Dushku wrote a 40-year retrospective on the magazine and how it was organized.

Judy Dushku was acquainted with Mitt Romney, who was for some years the bishop in her ward, and for a time Boston stake president of the LDS Church.

Judy Dushku highlighted his general attitude towards LDS women, and women in general, while stressing, in response to 'muck-raking' questions, that he was conscientious.

Judy Dushku remarried, to Jim Coleman, in 1991, and they continued to live in Watertown, Massachusetts.

Judy Dushku is a practicing Mormon and has been president of the Relief Society, the principal Mormon women's organization, for the Boston stake.

Judy Dushku has been involved in community activities, day care and women's issues.

In 2010 Judy Dushku was awarded the Eve Award by the Mormon Women's Forum.