Zena D. Crenshaw-Logal, J.D., was a beacon of justice and an unwavering advocate for human rights and joined Doctors of Courage in its fight against medical injustice.  As the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee for the Council of Organizations, a close affiliate of the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. (UNA-USA), and the United Nations Foundation, Dr. Crenshaw-Logal dedicated her life to combating judicial corruption and promoting the principles of natural law which would be universally common to all of humanity’s citizens. Her work was deeply influenced by the philosophies of Thomas Jefferson and the foundational ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

Born on September 25, 1959, in Gary, Indiana, Zena D. Crenshaw-Logal’s path to advocacy was inspired by her early recognition of the importance of justice and equality. Graduating as Salutatorian from Gary Roosevelt High School in 1977, Zena D. Crenshaw-Logal’s journey began at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a dual major in English and Philosophy in 1981. The Fighting Irish spirit—defined by resilience, determination, and a commitment to justice—was deeply ingrained in her character during these formative years. As a member of the Notre Dame community, Zena embraced the university’s ethos of service and the pursuit of truth, which would later become the bedrock of her career.

The influence of Notre Dame’s rigorous academic environment is evident in Zena’s approach to law and human rights advocacy. Her studies in English honed her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and passion, while her philosophical training provided her with a profound understanding of ethics and natural law. These dual strengths enabled her to become a formidable advocate, not just in the courtroom but also on the international stage, where she championed the rights of those marginalized by medical injustice.

Zena’s connection to Notre Dame extended beyond academics. The Fighting Irish ethos—never backing down in the face of adversity—echoed throughout her career as she confronted systemic inequities with the same tenacity that defined her alma mater. Whether she was advocating for patients’ rights, challenging corrupt practices, or defending the principles of natural law, Zena carried the Fighting Irish spirit into every battle, ensuring that her efforts left an indelible mark on the world.

Dr. Logal’s legal education culminated at Northwestern University School of Law, where she graduated in 1984 as an Earl Warren Scholar.   Her following career was marked by a relentless pursuit of judicial accountability and human rights. Before becoming a full-time legal reform activist in 1998, she practiced general civil law, focusing on complex personal injury claims and advising nonprofit and for-profit entities. Her transition to activism led her to co-found the National Judicial Conduct and Disability Law Project Inc. (NJCDLP), where she served as Executive Director and a key voice in judicial reform.

As the Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee, Dr. Crenshaw-Logal’s work extended nationally and internationally, garnering recognition from the United Nations and various human rights organizations. Her extensive writings, including “The Official End of Judicial Accountability Through Federal Rights Litigation: Ashcroft v. Iqbal” and “Exploring the Vitality of Stare Decisis in America,” highlight her deep understanding of legal principles and her commitment to justice.  Dr. Crenshaw-Logal’s advocacy was deeply rooted in the concept of natural law, a philosophy she believed was fundamental to a just society. Drawing inspiration from Thomas Jefferson, Logal saw natural law as the foundation for the Declaration of Independence and the rights it proclaimed. She argued that unjust laws, those not rooted in eternal and natural law, are not true laws at all, echoing the sentiments of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.

Dr. Logal argued that natural law is a philosophy asserting that certain rights and moral values are inherent in human nature and can be understood through human reason. This concept holds that these inherent rights are universal and immutable, meaning they are not contingent on human laws or beliefs but are intrinsic to human existence. The foundations of natural law can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle and the Roman thinker Cicero. These early thinkers posited that a fundamental moral order existed in nature and could be discerned through reason.  During the Middle Ages, natural law was further developed by Christian philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas, who synthesized Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. Aquinas argued that because humans have reason, which is a spark of the divine, all human lives are sacred and possess inherent value. This intrinsic value bestows upon everyone a basic set of rights that are inviolable​.

In the Enlightenment era, natural law theory evolved further, influenced by Roman law, Christian scholastic philosophy, and the emerging concepts of social contract theory. Thinkers like Dr. John Locke used natural law to challenge the divine right of kings and justify the establishment of government through social contracts. Dr. Locke emphasized natural law’s role in legitimizing property rights and the right to revolt against unjust rulers​.  Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was profoundly influenced by the principles of natural law. Jefferson believed that certain rights were inalienable and not granted by governments but inherent to all individuals by virtue of their humanity. This belief is encapsulated in the famous phrase from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Jefferson’s adherence to natural law principles is evident in his writings and actions. He drew heavily from the works of Enlightenment thinkers, particularly Dr. John Locke, who argued that legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed and exists to protect natural rights. Jefferson believed that when a government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and institute new governance that better serves their needs​.  In his legal and political career, Jefferson advocated for the protection of individual rights and the limitation of governmental power. He saw the role of government as a protector of the natural rights of its citizens, ensuring that laws and policies reflected the intrinsic moral order discernible through reason. Jefferson’s dedication to these principles helped shape the foundational values of the United States, promoting a vision of a society where freedom and justice are grounded in the immutable laws of nature and reason​.

Zena D. Crenshaw-Logal’s life was a testament to the power of dedication and the enduring relevance of natural law. Her belief in the principles of the Declaration of Independence and her tireless work to uphold justice serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights. Through her legacy, she remains a guiding light for those who continue to fight against judicial corruption and for the protection of fundamental human freedoms.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.  Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has consistently refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. I just referred to the creation of tension as a part of the work of the nonviolent resister. This may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word “tension.” I have earnestly worked and preached against violent tension, but there is a type of constructive nonviolent tension that is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must see the need of having nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men to rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood. History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give up their unjust posture; but, as Reinhold Niebuhr has reminded us, groups are more immoral than individuals.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.  “justice too long delayed is justice denied.”  To a degree, academic freedom is a reality today because Socrates practiced civil disobedience. We can never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal.” It was “illegal” to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany.– Martin Luther King