Our 2025 Honorary Degree Recipient

May 5, 2025

To: John Jay Community Members
Fm: Karol V. Mason, President
Re: Our 2025 Honorary Degree Recipient
 

I am so pleased to share that Donna Ferrato, a groundbreaking photojournalist and activist whose work transformed how we confront domestic violence, is our 2025 honorary degree recipient. 

While on assignment, Ferrato witnessed and photographed an act of domestic violence – a moment that kindled a decades-long commitment to documenting hidden abuse in American homes. Her landmark book, Living With the Enemy, sparked a national discussion on sexual violence and women’s rights and her I Am Unbeatable campaign exposed, documented and prevented domestic violence through real stories of real people.

Ferrato founded and led the Domestic Abuse Awareness Project and has contributed to almost every major news publication in the country. Her photographs have appeared in nearly five hundred solo exhibitions worldwide. She has received multiple honors including the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Outstanding Coverage of the Plight of the Disadvantaged, the International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Award and the Tribeca Film Festival Artist of the Year Award. The City of New York proclaimed October 30, 2008 “Donna Ferrato Appreciation Day” and she was recognized by the New York State Supreme Court for her work advancing gender equality.  

For sparking a national dialogue, illuminating a dark landscape and advocating for justice, we are proud to award Donna Ferrato an Honorary Doctorate. I am thrilled that she is joining our community of scholars and for every member of our Class of 2025. 

I hope to see you all at John Jay’s 57th Commencement ceremony on May 28!

Sincerely,

Karol V. Mason
President