WASHINGTON, D.C.—The American Women For International Understanding held a celebration on March 9 at the National Press Club to honor the 2010 International Woman of Courage Award winners. The ceremony brought women from around the world and American women together to promote cooperation and understanding. Distinguished individuals attended this event, including Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues for the Department of State, Melanne Verveer, senior trade adviser, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Leslie Schweitzer.
The 10 winners for 2010 are: Shukria Asil (Afghanistan), Col. Shafiqa Quraishi (Afghanistan), Androula Henriques (Cyprus), Sonia Pierre (Dominican Republic), Shadi Sadr (Iran), Ann Njogu (Kenya), Dr. Lee Ae-ran (Republic of Korea), Jansila Majeed (Sri Lanka), Sister Marie Claude Naddaf (Syria), and Jestina Mukoko (Zimbabwe).
Ms. Njogu expressed her appreciation of America’s support for human rights defenders. She said that the award rekindles the spirit inside them, sends a strong signal to their governments that they must change, and gives support to human rights defenders back home.
Ms. Verveer praised the award winners’ efforts to make the world a better place to live. She mentioned that women at present were still victims of poverty and violence, and the minority in the political arena. Empowering women is truly one of the positive, powerful forces reshaping the globe, because progress is only attained when half of the population of the country is not left behind, she said.
The International Woman of Courage Award was first established by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2007. It is given annually by the U.S. Department of State to women from around the world who have shown exceptional leadership in advancing women’s rights.
The following day, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama hosted an event at the Department of State where the 10 winners were honored again.
The 10 winners for 2010 are: Shukria Asil (Afghanistan), Col. Shafiqa Quraishi (Afghanistan), Androula Henriques (Cyprus), Sonia Pierre (Dominican Republic), Shadi Sadr (Iran), Ann Njogu (Kenya), Dr. Lee Ae-ran (Republic of Korea), Jansila Majeed (Sri Lanka), Sister Marie Claude Naddaf (Syria), and Jestina Mukoko (Zimbabwe).
Ms. Njogu expressed her appreciation of America’s support for human rights defenders. She said that the award rekindles the spirit inside them, sends a strong signal to their governments that they must change, and gives support to human rights defenders back home.
Ms. Verveer praised the award winners’ efforts to make the world a better place to live. She mentioned that women at present were still victims of poverty and violence, and the minority in the political arena. Empowering women is truly one of the positive, powerful forces reshaping the globe, because progress is only attained when half of the population of the country is not left behind, she said.
The International Woman of Courage Award was first established by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2007. It is given annually by the U.S. Department of State to women from around the world who have shown exceptional leadership in advancing women’s rights.
The following day, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama hosted an event at the Department of State where the 10 winners were honored again.
