In its 19th year, the Secretary of State’s IWOC award has recognized 200-plus women from more than 90 countries, who have shown exceptional courage and leadership — often at great personal risk. U.S. diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage candidate from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior department officials.
This year’s honorees included the president of the National Human Rights Commission Henriette Da of Burkina Faso; Amit Soussana, an Israeli attorney and advocate for the hostages that remain under Hamas control following the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks; Major Velena Iga, an activist working to combat violence against women and curb human trafficking in Papua New Guinea; Angelique Songco, a leader of the small team of rangers that are protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from illegal fishing and poaching in the Philippines; Georgiana Pascu, an advocate who has secured rights and
Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.