International Women of Courage Award | |
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![]() The winners, presenters, and guests at the 2012 International Women of Courage Awards, March 8, 2012.
Back row, from left: Melanne Verveer (guest), Leymah Gbowee (guest), Shad Begum, Aneesa Ahmed, Hawa Abdallah Mohammed Salih, Samar Badawi, Tawakel Karman (guest). Front row, from left: Maryam Durani, Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo, Zin Mar Aung, Michelle Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jineth Bedoya Lima, Hana Elhebshi, Şafak Pavey. | |
Location | Washington, D. C. |
Country | United States |
Presented by | United States Department of State |
First awarded | 2007 |
Website | Secretary's International Women of Courage Award |
The International Women of Courage Award is an American award. Every year the United States Department of State gives the award to women around the world who have shown the ability to lead other people, the ability to do something that they know is difficult or dangerous, the ability to deal well with new or difficult situations and to find solutions to problems, and who are ready to give up something to help to make people aware of women's rights.
U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice started the award in 2007, on March 8, International Women's Day.[1] In many countries in the world, people do something special on this day. Each United States embassy can recommend one woman to be considered for this award.[2]