The UN Women for Peace Association Annual Awards Luncheon ceremony held at the UN Nations Headquarters in the Delegates Dining Room in celebration of International Women’s Day, was awe-inspiring and motivating.
Each year, UN Women for Peace Association honors individuals who have made a difference in the lives of women and girls.
One of the honorees, model Ashley Graham who received the Women’s Empowerment Award for her work as a body activist, was beyond excited, humbled and couldn’t get over the overwhelmingly positive energy in the room. “Wow!” said Graham who looked gorgeous and sexy in a tight black dress. “Never be apologetic and always push for your dreams.” Prior to the event, I overheard Graham in the elevator talk about her love for Oprah and overall attitude of the importance of “women feeling good”, and couldn’t help but be mightily impressed.
Actress/activist and star of Blue Bloods Bridget Moynahan was Master of Ceremonies, and Singer Mary Brown performed the opening number You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman in a cappella. Others showing support included: Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro, Princess Maria Carolina, Duchess of Calabria and Palermo, and Princess Maria Chiara, Duchess of Capri in Rome, Monaco and Paris, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Rachel Roy, Reem Acra, Flaviana Matata, Serinda Swan, Kota Eberhardt, Tao Okamoto, Rema DuPont, Michal Grayevsky, Stephanie Winston and Linda Wells. And UNWFPA’s Ambassador for Peace, H.R.H. The Princess Camilla Of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess Of Castro, spoke before the awards presentation.
First Lady of Panama, Lorena Castillo De Varela, received the Leadership Award for her work as a Special Ambassador of UNAIDS for Latin America and as a global spokesperson for the Zero Discrimination Movement. H.E. Ambassador Nikki Haley, United States Permanent Representative to The United Nations presented National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah with the Peace Award for her outstanding work with refugees.
Last but surely not least, HH Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States of America presented philanthropist Eve Branson, mother of business mogul Richard Branson, with the Achievement Award for her foundation’s work in the Atlas Mountains.
As has become the tradition, UN Women for Peace Association’s Chair Muna Rihani Al-Nasser and President Barbara Winston presented the awards during the ceremony as well as words of wisdom for all to live by. Said Winston; “All women deserve freedom and equality no matter what country you’re from. We must engage boys and men to be part of the solution when it comes to sexual harassment and violence against women. WE MUST STAND TOGETHER BECAUSE WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.”
Muna Rihani Al-Nasser, proclaimed, “Five years ago, we started a march (March in March) to end violence against women in celebration of International Women’s Day. It started at the UN which represents a symbol of freedom for everyone. We also launched our annual Awards Luncheon in 2014 to celebrate International Women’s Day and to honor people who are working effortlessly for women and girl’s issues. It is a vehicle to generate funding for our programs. This year, the UNWFPA is moving the March in March from the streets of NYC to social media, bringing together an international community to be part of our crusade to STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.”
Barbara Winston, Ashley Graham, Muna Rihani Al-Nasser
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