The American Women for International Understanding, which garners extraordinary support from the San Gabriel Valley, honored 12 International Women of Courage at its 17th Annual International Women of Courage Celebration on March 12 at the Jonathan Club in Downtown Los Angeles.
These women have given a whole new meaning to “there is nothing like a dame.”
The U.S. Secretary of State’s IWOC Award honors women worldwide who have displayed exceptional strength and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity, and the empowerment of women and girls, often at significant personal risk.
Recipients receive a grant to further their work. AWIU worked closely with the U.S. State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, and Office of International Visitors to produce the event.
The 2024 IWOCs are Benafsha Yaqoobi (Afghanistan), Fawzia Karim Firoze (Bangladesh), Volha Harbunova (Belarus), Ajna Jusić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Myintzu Win (Burma), Fátima Corozo (Ecuador), Fariba Balouch (Iran), Rina Gonoi (Japan), Rabha El Haymar (Morocco), Fatou Baldeh (The Gambia) and Agather Atuhaire (Uganda). Her government did not permit Awardee Martha Beatriz Roque Cabello from Cuba to attend.
Speaking on behalf of all the IWOCs with moving appeals for unity and peace were Agather Atuhaire of Uganda; Ajna Jusić from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Benafsha Yaqoobi from Afghanistan and Fariba Balouch from Iran (For biographies of the 2024 International Women of Courage, please visit www.awiu.org.)
The honorees flew to Washington, D.C., to receive their awards from first lady Jill Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken at a White House ceremony on March 4. They spent a week in D.C. before flying to L.A., where they visited Disneyland and UCLA before the fete at the Jonathan Club.
Katrina Fotovat of the U.S. State Department introduced the IWOC Award.
“Truly a centerpiece and guiding force behind the Office of Global Women’s Issues’ work, leading the State Department’s efforts to promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls worldwide, and remains a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and assistance,” she said. “These women are leaders in advocating for justice, rule of law, access to legal rights for marginalized communities, human rights, and gender equity and equality. The United States is honored to stand by their side.”
NBC4 Anchor Colleen Williams emceed the program featuring a video message from Honorary Chair Billie Jean King. Fotovat announced the second annual Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award presented to the women activists of Nicaragua. The award recognizes the nine women among 222 political prisoners released in February.
Before their arrests, the women worked as human rights defenders, journalists, politicians, and women’s rights activists.
Sarah Deschenes and Kristin Johnson Cava co-chaired the event committee, which included Christine Adams, Rhonda Anawalt, Denise Bieker, Susan Chandler, Holly Clearman, Lian Dolan, Earlie Douglas, Claire Glidden, Diane Henry, Ingrid Johnson, Kathleen LeRoy, Onam Lwin, Annette Madden, LeslieMaxfield, Cynthia Moffatt, Laura Pollard, Betsy Richman, Maggie Sabbag, Mary Machado Schammel, Sarah Shelton, Sonia Singla, Pamela Hillings Tegtmeyer, Janice Trojan, Monica Miller Walsh, Carol Ann Warren, Jane Mursener Wetzel and Justine Wolcott.
FUNNY GIRL
The Michael Mayer-directed production of the 2022 Broadway revival traveling company of the smash Broadway hit “Funny Girl” opened at the Ahmanson on April 3, to a packed house of enthusiastic patrons.
I never saw the original show starring the invincible Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice, but I know there was a lot of concern that no one could ever fill the shoes of the indomitable Ms. Streisand, who won both a Tony for the musical and an Oscar for the movie.
Enter the intrepid, amazing Katerina McCrimmon’s performance, which suggests she’s going to be a major star. She’s talented enough to take on this role and smart enough to make her portal of Fanny Brice uniquely her own because in all fairness, there’s only one Barbra Streisand.
McCrimmon has garnered much praise thus far. Her powerful singing voice, plus the music, the choreography and the costumes was much appreciated by the entire audience as evidenced by their frequent and exuberant applause. If you love musicals, Funny Girl is one of the best, so catch it before it leaves town. It’s a treat not to be missed.
COMING UP:
APRIL 27: The Burbank Chorale presents its Spring Concert, “A Million Dollar Dream: Music of the Silver Screen,” at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Glendale, at 7:30 p.m. (818-759-759-5177).
APRIL 28: “CTG: The Gala 2024” will honor choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne as its inaugural artistic honoree. Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga will headline The Mark Taper Forum and The Music Center. centertheatregroup.org.
MAY 4: Greater Los Angeles Scouting and The Women of Eagle Scouts sponsor Wind Under Their Wings Brunch, featuring Janet Webb, a local author and Eagle Scout Mother. Almansor Court, Alhambra; 10:30 a.m. charissa.gonzales@scouting.org.
MAY 19: Cancer Community San Gabriel Valley presents ” Dapper Derby Soiree,” the 34th Angel Gala, honoring Karen and Tom Capehart, Oak Tree Racing Association, and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Santa Anita Park, Arcadia. 626-796-1083 or cancersupportsgv.org.
May 28: The Pasadena Playhouse presents “Jelly’s Last Jam.” Performances continue through June 23. Pasadenaplayhouse.org.
JUNE 5: Center Theatre Group presents the musical “A Strange Loop.” Performances continue through June 30. The Ahmanson Theatre. centertheatregroup.org.
JULY 27: Barbie The Movie: In Concert featuring an all-women orchestra. Hollywood Bowl. 8 p.m.
JULY 30: Center Theatre Group presents the new comedy “Clue.” Performances continue through August 25. The Ahmanson Theatre. centertheatregroup.org.
Patt Diroll writes a bi-weekly society column for the Pasadena Star-News. She can be reached at pattdiroll@gmail.com. Diana Palmer contributed to this column. Diana Palmer contributed to the piece this week.
