Remembering Anita Ashok Datar Garten MPA ’03, MPH ’03

Dear Members of the SIPA Community,

We mourn the passing of Anita Ashok Datar, a 2003 dual-degree graduate of Columbia’s Mailman School and SIPA, who was killed in a terrorist attack on a hotel in Bamako, Mali, on November 20, 2015.

Anita was an extraordinary individual who dedicated her life to the service of others and she will be remembered as a committed humanitarian and tireless advocate for global public health and women’s health and social justice. She came to Columbia after serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. She was in Mali as a representative of Palladium, and according to them she was serving as the Senior Director for Field Programs for HP+, a USAID-funded health policy project focused on improving reproductive health in developing countries. She was also the co-founder and board member of Tulalens, a not-for-profit organization connecting underserved communities with quality health services.

Many of our students and graduates devote their lives to improving the world and working on economic development. Some are in very difficult environments with much personal sacrifice.

We are moved by Anita's commitment to helping others and are saddened that her shining light was cut short by this tragedy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Anita's family and friends.

Merit E. Janow

Dean, School of International and Public Affairs

Professor of Professional Practice, International Economic Law and International Affairs