Meridian Honored To Host 2022 International Women of Courage Awardees

Now in its 16th year, the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award (IWOC) annually recognizes women around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. On Monday, March 14th, during a ceremony organized by the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) and hosted by the Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the 2022 IWOC Awardees were recognized for their remarkable accomplishments virtually.

Meridian International Center was proud to partner with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to design and implement an eight-week virtual International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) itinerary for the Awardees. As part of the Washington program, Meridian helped orient the Awardees to their upcoming virtual exchange program and the cities that will be hosting them. Meridian also helped organized public panels featuring several IWOC awardees in collaboration with Georgetown University and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

The Awardees then participated in tailored virtual exchange programs arranged in coordination with Global Ties U.S. member organizations in Des Moines, IA; Orlando, FL; Tulsa, OK; Kansas City, MO; Minneapolis, MN; Phoenix, AZ; and Portland, OR. WorldBoston, in coordination with the League of Women Voters Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, hosted a public panel discussion featuring two IWOC awardees on female and gender minorities participation in the political process. They met a diversity of Americans and enjoyed virtual professional meetings designed around their areas of expertise. Brazilian Awardee, Simone Sibilio do Nascimento commented: "I will have this experience all my life. My career is very heavy and difficult. . . . You managed to conquer my mind and my heart with this program."

To read more about their stories, visit 2022 International Women of Courage Award - United States Department of State.