Medea Benjamin (born Medea Susan Benjamin on September 10, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American political activist, author, and co-founder of prominent advocacy organizations focused on peace, human rights, and environmental issues. She earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from Tufts University in 1974, with formative experiences in Europe and Latin America influencing her commitment to social justice, fair trade, and anti-imperialist causes. In 1988, she co-founded Global Exchange, an organization promoting economic human rights and sustainable trade. In 2002, amid the lead-up to the Iraq War, she co-founded Code Pink: Women for Peace, a grassroots women's organization known for bold, theatrical protests against U.S. militarism and foreign policy, including frequent disruptions at American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) events. Her activism extends to writing books like 'Drone Warfare' (2013), advocating for Palestinian rights, Cuban sovereignty, and ending U.S. sanctions. She ran as the Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in California in 2000 under her full name Medea Susan Benjamin, securing 3.1% of the vote. Her confrontational style has led to multiple arrests during protests and travel restrictions. She has been criticized by conservative groups for anti-war stances and accused by some of anti-Semitism due to her Israel-related activism, though she maintains her positions are rooted in human rights advocacy.