BAFoT Founding members list

founding_members_list.pdf

Download PDF • 2.43MB

BAFoT was founded on Sunday, October 9, 1983, at 2961 Bienvenue Avenue, Berkeley, California 94705. Twenty-nine individuals put their names to the founding document, a diverse gathering of Tibetan exiles, American activists, scholars, and concerned citizens united by a shared belief in Tibet's just cause.

The original BAFoT founders were:

1. Carol Fields

2. Chris Ng

3. Bertha Ng

4. Jim Quartieri

5. Elissa Mannheimer

6. Cheimed Lee

7. Adam Druckman

8. Jeff Wagner

9. Ritu Sarin

10. Eric Ingersoll

11. George Nichols

12. Ruth Eckland

13. Jigme Yugay

14. Nima Yugay

15. Dorje Lama

16. Pema Wangyal

17. Tashi Norbu

18. Geshe Thardo

19. Michael Van Walt

20. Tenzin Sonam

21. Judy Weitzner

22. Tsewang Chodon Tatz

23. Chris Kemper

24. Rose Berryessa

25. Gail Harris

26. Thepo Tulku

27. Geshe Lobsang Gyatso

28. Lobsang Chonjor

29. Atul Vaidya

Among these founders were individuals who would go on to play lasting roles in the Tibetan freedom movement — including Ritu Sarin and Tenzin Sonam, who became internationally recognized filmmakers documenting the Tibetan cause, and Jigme Yugay Raptentsetsang, who helped narrate BAFoT's early history at the 25th anniversary event.