WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of International Women's Day (March 8th) and the fifteenth anniversary of Vital Voices founder and then First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's historic declaration at the UN Conference on Women in Beijing that "women's rights are human rights," Vital Voices (www.vitalvoices.org) gathered over 1,000 supporters to honor and celebrate innovative women leaders who are working worldwide to strengthen democracy, increase economic opportunity and protect human rights. The annual event took place in Washington D.C. at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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The ninth annual Global Leadership Awards drew a star-studded group of presenters such as Academy Award winning actress Sally Field, Academy Award winning actress and Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, financial expert Suze Orman, NPR's Michele Norris, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, NBC Nightly News Anchor Brian Williams, Avon Corporation CEO Andrea Jung, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, Time Inc. Chairman & CEO Ann Moore, FDIC Chairperson Sheila Bair, philanthropist Sheila Johnson, Grammy-award winning artist Angelique Kidjo and others. Presenters highlighted the critical role of women in society and the powerful change that comes from their full and equal participation.
Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, accepted the Global Trailblazer Award from Vital Voices founder, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In addition, five extraordinary women from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Brazil, Kenya and Pakistan received awards for their achievements in the areas of economic empowerment, entrepreneurialism, human rights and leadership in public life.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "I am so grateful that Vital Voices is still blazing a trail that so many are following in increasing numbers around the globe. Nearly everywhere I go around the world, I am met by women who proudly tell me that they are members of Vital Voices." In presenting the Vital Voices Global Trailblazer Award to Melinda Gates, Secretary Clinton said, "It gives me a particular personal pleasure tonight to be an award presenter, because I think that the person I am privileged to introduce so greatly deserves the Global Trailblazer torch that I inherited from Sheikha Lubna, from Muhammad Yunus, from President Michelle Bachelet, and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Melinda Gates is a trailblazer and she is leading the way for everyone who is ready to stand up and make a difference, to use the blessings and gifts that life gives you to give back to others."
Alyse Nelson, CEO of Vital Voices, spoke about the remarkable women innovators honored that evening, working to advance the role of women worldwide. "Tonight we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the historic United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China. As we affirm Beijing's accomplishments and consider remaining obstacles, we are deeply grateful to the innovators - those who help lead us forward," said Nelson. "United by common purpose and urged on by the commitments made 15 years ago in Beijing, we look forward with renewed resolve, heartened and strengthened in knowing that our companions on this journey include the extraordinary women we celebrate tonight."
Global Trailblazer Award recipient Melinda Gates said, "It's a privilege to be honored along with this incredible group of women and I thank Vital Voices for helping to bring their important work to light. By sharing their stories I think a whole new generation of women leaders around the world will be inspired to make a difference."
