Dr. Jean Sindab died at age 51 after a year-long battle with breast cancer. 

She was a deeply spiritual woman who devoted her life to causes for freedom and justice worldwide.  In her eulogy, Yvonne Delk, contributing editor for Sojourners magazine, described Jean as a God-centered trumpet blower, with values deeply rooted in faith, family, and freedom.

Jean Sindab was born in Cleveland, OH in 1944 and grew up with her parents and five sisters in Brooklyn, NY.  She earned her bachelor of arts degree in history at Hunter College, and was named to the Hunter College Alumni Hall of Fame.  She also earned her doctorate in political science from Yale University along with masters degrees in political science and in international relations, also from Yale.

Her career was devoted to ecumenical work for racial and environmental justice.  Positions included:

-         Director for Environmental and Economic Justice/Hunger Concerns with the Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA;

-         Executive Secretary of the World Council of Churches Programme to Combat Racism - Geneva, Switzerland;

-         Senior Africa Advisor to the Jesse Jackson presidential campaign;

-         Executive Director of the Washington Office on Africa -  Washington, DC;

-         Consulting roles with the King Center for Non-Violence, Rainbow Coalition, U.N. Council for Namibia, U.N. Center Against Apartheid and U.N. Institute for Namibia

-         Board memberships:  Peace Development Fund; Third World Women's Project of Institute of Policy Studies; United Black Fund; Sustaining Compassion Project; Learning Alliance; and Washington Office on Africa Educational Fund.

Dr. Sindab focused much of her work on youth, reaching out to those who had been pushed onto the fringes of society.  She was a vocal advocate for both male and female members and former members of youth gangs.  She was skilled in bridging cultural gaps and in bringing diverse groups together to share dreams, aspirations, and values.

The Jean Sindab Project for Breast Cancer Research was established at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute with a gift of $2,225,000 in 2005.  Income from the endowment is used to fund peer-reviewed scientific research into the incidence and mortality of breast cancer diagnosed in black women.  Research shows that over all ages, black women are at lower risk for breast cancer compared to white women.  Black women under the age of 50, however, are at increased risk over white women of the same age.  Evidence also suggests that black women can have more aggressive breast tumors.  The Emory Winship Cancer Institute is most grateful for the opportunity provided by the Jean Sindab Project to focus on this important research question. 

Purpose of the Gift

Research Team

Advisory Board

Contact Information