2017 IWOC Celebration Highlights

The evening began with a reception for over 250 guests, including State Department officials, foreign dignitaries, sponsors and AWIU members. As the guests entered the dining room, they were greeted by a slideshow of prior IWOC Awardees. Cynthy Moffatt, an AWIU member and former Chair of the IWOC Celebration Committee, welcomed the guests as the Mistress of Ceremonies. She introduced Maggie Sabbag, 2017 IWOC Celebration Chair, who thanked all for their vital support. In recognition of AWIU’s 50th Anniversary, the grants for the 2017 International Women of Courage were the largest ever, honoring the organization’s half-century commitment to improving the lives of women across the globe and supporting the mission to build bridges of international understanding.

Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Investments and Honorary Chair of the 2017 Celebration congratulated the IWOCs in an inspirational video: “Your stories of grit, determination, perseverance and courage are reminders to all women that with a measure of bravery, you can change the world.”

During the dinner program, Ms. Betty Bernstein-Zabza, Senior Advisor and Director of Operations in the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, introduced the 2017 International Women of Courage Awardees. She prefaced her introductions with, “Each woman’s story is an inspiring reminder of how individuals can make a difference. Taken together, they provide a powerful message of courage and leadership.”

A highlight of the evening was hearing directly from two of the IWOCs: Fadia Thabet of Yemen and Rebecca Kabugho of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ms. Thabet, an activist working to reintegrate former child soldiers of Al Qaeda and Houthi militias into society, brought the crowd to their collective feet when she declared, “The women sitting in front of you have all fought. We have chosen to tell our stories of compassion, resilience and bravery. To all the women here, you are part of our journey and fight… We will walk side by side. Holding each other’s hands. We are feminists, we are powerful, and we are intelligent and we are a movement!”

Ms. Kabugho from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the youngest prisoners of conscience in the world, was recognized for her key role in a series of peaceful protests demanding that the Congolese government hold credible elections. In her remarks, she spoke passionately of the strong bond the 2017 IWOCs shared and how their sisterhood was an invaluable resource, saying “We can change the world. Without us, it will not be done. Hand in hand, we will make the world a better place.”

The AWIU Internationalism Award was presented to Ms. Anita DeFrantz, the first American woman and the first African American to be named to the International Olympic Committee. An Olympic medalist herself, Ms. DeFrantz was honored for her lifetime of work to increase opportunities for women around the globe through sports and for her advocacy against human trafficking and slavery. Ms. DeFrantz was unable to attend the event but, by video, she expressed her thanks to AWIU and her admiration for all the International Women of Courage, adding, “You lift me up.”

The Bernice Behrens Founders Award was given to Diane McGlinchey, a dedicated member of AWIU for over a decade. Her commitment to the work of AWIU flows from a lifetime spent in service to fellow women and to her country. Ms. McGlinchey addressed the audience stating, “Let us move forward knowing that the collective power of women –well organized, passionate and respectful – is unstoppable.” perfectly capturing the sentiment of the evening.

After their visit to Washington DC, many of the IWOCs travelled throughout the United States as part of a cultural and educational exchange. Their arrival in Los Angeles provided an opportunity for them to reconvene and compare their various experiences while in America. Additionally, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles organized a panel at City Hall where the IWOCs shared their stories and answered questions about the challenges and issues faced by women in their countries.

Following the panel, AWIU’s 2017 IWOC Celebration served as the culminating event for these extraordinary women’s visit. The evening provided the IWOCs a fitting and final opportunity to be honored, appreciated, and celebrated.