WOMEN OF WISDOM IN AUGUST

-KATHI LYNN AUSTIN-

For 35 years, I have carried out original and in-depth field investigations related to arms

trafficking, peace and security, human rights, transnational organized crime, wildlife crime, natural

resource exploitation, and violations of UN sanctions. My evidence-based findings have impacted

treaties, multilateral policies, enforcement actions, civil litigation, Congressional initiatives, and national

laws and regulations. I have also served as an expert with the United Nations and other multilateral and

non-governmental organizations, such as the Pacific Council on International Policy, Open Society Fund,

the Fund for Peace, Human Rights Watch, and the Environmental Investigation Agency. In 2011, I was

voted Arms Control Association’s “Person of the Year.”

In 2010, I founded the Conflict Awareness Project (CAP), where I currently serve as the

Executive Director. CAP investigates, documents, and provides expertise to bring major arms traffickers,

war profiteers, and transnational criminal organizations to justice. I am also a fellow at the Human Rights

Center, University of California, Berkeley. During my tenure at CAP, I likewise served as an expert for

civil and criminal cases and led special projects undertaken by prominent policy organizations. Prior to

CAP, I served as both a humanitarian and arms expert for the UN Security Council and chief of analysis

for peacekeeping operations at the United Nations with mandates in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of

Congo, Burundi, and East Timor.

In 2025, I founded the Freedom Forge Foundation with the mission to preserve history; elevate

forgotten stories; foster civic engagement; and advance the ideal of liberty and justice for all. The FFF is

in the process of acquiring the Revolutionary War era site of Hunter’s Iron Works in Stafford County

Virginia and elevating its story as the home of America’s Defense Industry and advocate of our nation’s

founding ideals of liberty and justice for all.

Areas where I have undertaken research missions include: Africa (South Africa, Botswana,

Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania,

Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire/Congo, Zanzibar, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mauritius); Europe (UK,

Channel Islands, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic,

Portugal, Turkey); Asia (Afghanistan, Japan, Thailand, Timor-Leste); Americas (USA, Mexico, Haiti,

Colombia, Peru); Middle East (UAE, Syria); and Australia.

I have also written and consulted widely on issues relating to peace and security, arms control,

transnational crime, foreign policy, human rights, refugees, and Africa policy. Selected publications

include: The U.S.-Mexico Double Fix: Combating the Flow of Guns to Transnational Organized Crime

(Pacific Council on International Policy, 2023); Follow The Guns: An Overlooked Key To Combat Rhino

Poaching and Wildlife Crime (CAP, 2019); The Pillage of Eastern Congo Gold: A Case for the

Prosecution of Corporate War Crimes (CAP, 2014); Viktor Bout’s Gunrunning Successors (CAP, 2013);

Illicit Arms Brokers: Aiding and Abetting Atrocities (The Brown Journal of World Affairs, 2002); A

Colombian Arms Deal, and The Perils of Blowback (Washington Post, 2002); Arms Trafficking, Closing the Net: A Test Case for Prosecution Under the US Law on Arms Brokering (Fund for Peace, 2001); The

Illicit Gun Trade: Fanning Flames of Conflict (Washington Post, 1999); Hearts of Darkness (Bulletin of

Atomic Scientists 1999); Controlling Light Weapons Trafficking In The Great Lakes Region of Africa

(1999); Stoking the Fires: Military Assistance and Arms Trafficking to Burundi (Human Rights Watch,

1997); Rearming with Impunity: International Support to the Perpetrators of the Rwandan Genocide

(Human Rights Watch, 1995); Rwanda’s Next Nightmare (Washington Post, 1994); Invisible Crimes:

U.S. Private Intervention in Mozambique (Africa Policy Information Center, 1994); and U.S. Foreign

Policy Towards South Africa (Chadwick Healey project team, 1991).

As an expert, I have appeared on such diverse media outlets as ABC Nightline, CNN World

News, BBC (TV and Radio), ITN (UK), German National Television, Al Jazeera, National Public Radio,

Pacifica Radio, The New York Times, Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Observer (London),

Weekly Mail and Guardian (South Africa), and De Morgan (Belgium). My independently produced

documentaries include Follow The Guns (Director/Producer, 2018); Killing Tradition: The Arming of

Africa (Executive Producer/Director, 2002); Forsaken Cries: The Story of Rwanda (Executive

Producer/Producer/Director, 1997), and Africa: Environmental Degradation, Human Deprivation

(Producer, 1994). In 2012, I starred in A Short Film About Guns (winner, 2013 Tribeca Film Festival).

-CHARLENE FOX-

Rev. Charlene Fox is a woman of faith, and compassion whose journey blends ministry,

medicine, and mission. She accepted Christ at the age of six and has been faithfully

serving ever since. Since joining The Light Community Church in 2011, she has

embraced her calling to preach, becoming licensed in 2018 and ordained in 2025 under

the mentorship of Rev. Dr. Kimberly A. Ridley. Her ministry centers on relational equity,

teamwork, and meeting people where they are with the love of Christ.

A graduate of George Mason University and Georgetown University, Rev. Fox built a

successful career as a neonatal nurse practitioner. Her daughter’s premature birth

inspired a deeper calling—leading her to join her family’s business, FamilyLife Services,

LLC, which has provided care for adults with intellectual disabilities for over 24 years.

Rev. Fox is active in church leadership, hospitality, and digital discipleship, and serves

on several community boards, including the Virginia Higher Education Fund and the Girl

Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia. She’s a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc., and was recently recognized by March Funeral Homes for exuding joy in

all she does.

Above all, Rev. Fox treasures her role as a mother, finding her greatest joy and

motivation in her daughter. Her life is a testament to the power of faith in action and

service with love.

-JANET ECKMAN-

Being a crab-loving native Marylander, I enjoy being on the water and eating the local seafood.  I have not strayed from Maryland for long as I am drawn to the state referred to as America in Miniature.  Discovering small towns by car or foot, day trips or long weekends, being on or near the water and the country with open space has been my love.

My working career began with the airlines, stationed in Washington, D.C. , with most of that time spent overseeing the Mid-Atlantic ticket counters located in hotels and office buildings from Charleston, S.C to Philadelphia and all stops in between.  Flying to New Orleans or Atlanta for dinner was a great perk.  Meeting new people through travel is one of the best educations a person can have.  People are my fuel!

Maryland politics soon caught my eye and became a staff member for 3 Maryland Governors, after running a county office for a Congressional candidate.  Interaction with people and helping them has been my passion.

  One of my sisters was diagnosed with Lupus when it was still unknown throughout the medical community in the early 1970’s.  They actually told us she might not live through the week as they were not sure how to treat it.  My family became co-founders of the Maryland Lupus Foundation to raise awareness for this debilitating autoimmune disease.  I was the Public Relations Manager who educated the media and was responsible for fund-raising events in its infancy.

I try to give back to the community and to people close to me.  I served as a Trustee for the Baltimore Ballet and was on the Board of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce.

My career took another turn and I began a 15-year stint with an international corporation in marketing and public relations.  Once again, I was able to concentrate my work in the Mid-Atlantic which allowed me to stay in my beloved Maryland.  I finally got the home on the river with 2 dogs and my husband.  Bringing people into my home has been important to me.  The door is always open and ready to share.  Entertaining neighbors, friends and family has always been special to me as that is how I was raised.   We sponsored a Naval Academy Midshipman in Annapolis for his 4 years at the Academy.  That meant going to pick him up, cooking meals, giving him a home life away from home.  He was the 6’8” center of the crew team which meant I also cooked soups and carted food to their away games.  Not having children this was a wonderful time for me.

For the last 12 years I have been with the General Assembly of Maryland, specifically with a state senator helping her constituency with difficult situations and issues involving state agencies.  As an example, if you have an issue with the Comptroller’s Office, I try to help obtainresolution. Many people are suffering due to the lack of federal funding allocated to the states for health care.  People have lost jobs, losing their home, needing health care assistance in their homes, etc. and I am their advocate with state agencies.  It is the most heart-wrenching at times but the most rewarding when able to help.