FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008

WDN Honors Women Leaders with Award for Distinguished Service

Honorees receive Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award for Achievements on Behalf of Women Worldwide

Washington, DC – The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) held its inaugural Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award dinner Thursday, March 6, 2008, honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in politics and civil society. Receiving the award were Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobrianksy; Nang Charm Tong of the Shan Women’s Action Network; and Nang Yain of the Women’s League of Burma.

The evening began with IRI Executive Vice President Judy Van Rest welcoming guests and reading a letter from First Lady Laura Bush. In her letter, the First Lady praised the work of women all over the world who advance the rights of women. She also recognized the WDN for establishing the Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award. “Dr. Kirkpatrick was a strong believer in the leadership potential of women in politics and foreign policy. Congratulations to Paula Dobrianksy, Nang Charm Tong and the Women’s League of Burma for receiving this distinguished award!”

IRI Board of Director’s member Cheryl Halpern presented the award to Nang Yain, Secretary General of the Women’s League of Burma saying “You are an inspiration and the living legacy of Jeane Kirkpatrick.” Halpern also announced that she would sponsor a scholarship for a member of the Women’s League of Burma to attend the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University.

Nang Yain dedicated the award to “all the women who struggle for freedom in Burma.” She went on to thank IRI and the WDN for the continued support of the Women’s League of Burma.

The next award was given to Nang Charm Tong of the Shan Women’s Action Network. IRI board member Alison Fortier presented the award recalling Dr. Kirkpatrick. “She was a role model, a fighter, a woman of principle.” In introducing Charm Tong, Fortier noted that role models are not only those who are older than ourselves, but are also those who are young like Charm Tong.

In an emotional acceptance speech Charm Tong stated, “This honor is for all the women in Burma who continue to suffer and continue to fight for peace and democracy.” In speaking of the women who have been brutalized by the military regime she said, “Let us be inspired to continue the struggle of these brave women.”

IRI President Lorne Craner presented the evening’s final award to Paula Dobrianksy. Craner, who served with Dobrianksy at the U.S. State Department, honored his former boss as a “trailblazer, both in her career accomplishments and in how she has helped other women around the world.” He recognized her many accomplishments including establishing the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, a partnership that has mobilized $70 million in public and private sector resources to improve women’s health care, education, business development and political participation; and the establishment of the Iraqi Women’s Democracy Initiative, which includes entrepreneurship projects, media training for women aspiring to careers in journalism and civil society, and political advocacy workshops.

Dobrianksy praised the WDN for the work is has done in helping women around the world and said how humbled and honored she was to share the award with Nang Yain and Charm Tong.

The award, which pays tribute to Dr. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, recognizes honorees for their commitment to elevate women’s political and societal participation within their own communities and on behalf of women worldwide. A long-time IRI board member, Dr. Kirkpatrick was a strong advocate for women’s participation in politics. Her career in women’s political participation and foreign policy is an inspiration to women around the world today.

The dinner was part of a three-day annual WDN conference which included participants from all over the world. The WDN is an initiative established by IRI to foster relationships among women leaders from around the world, providing them with opportunities to share experiences and develop the skills needed for professional advancement. The network encourages and supports women working to advance political, civic and economic participation in their countries, and create regional networks to strengthen their development.

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