When Rita Bahr Cari died in 2003, Joseph Cari created a living memorial in honor of his late wife that underscored her commitment to international human rights, particularly in the Central and South American region, where she spent a considerable amount of time as a child. Joseph Cari established the Rita Bahr Cari Memorial Fund at Notre Dame University's Center for Civil and Human Rights. The fund is used to advance the Center's mission to aid victims of human rights violations and "will enable the center to enhance its innovative and internationally renowned contributions in teaching, research, and service on behalf of human rights. Many of its graduates (a number of whom are from Central and South America) are an integral part of an international network of lawyers who, through their teaching and practice, strive to develop a global human rights culture. The fund provides scholarships to students outside of the United States who wish to study at the University of Notre Dame Law School program on International Human Rights. 2001–present