WASHINGTON—First Lady Melania Trump honored female recipients with the “International Women of Courage Awards” on Tuesday afternoon, sharing that these awardees “prove that love can inspire extraordinary valor even in the face of vulnerability.”
The First Lady co-hosted the annual International Women of Courage Awards ceremony at the State Department with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Dressed in a long, leopard print trench coat, Melania focused on the unique capability of these female advocates, activists, and leaders to act in the name of love.
“Today, we celebrate courage —a strength that is based in love,” she said.”This truth is illustrated through our honorees, who prove that love can inspire extraordinary valor even in the face of vulnerability.”
“Their remarkable stories are a testament to the power of love in practice — for family, community, and our world,” she continued. “This is especially evident in places where their passion defies convention and when it has been shown at great personal risk of stigma, persecution, or harm.”
This is the fifth year that Melania Trump has attended the event. Her predecessor, Jill Biden, previously gave an International Women of Courage award to a man who identifies as a woman named Alba Rueda, Argentina’s Special Envoy for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and the first trans-identifying politician to hold a senior governmental position. Rueda had made a name for himself pushing pro-transgender policies in Argentina.
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Awardees at Tuesday’s event included human rights defender Henriette Da; Hamas hostage survivor Amit Soussana; womens’ rights activist Major Velena Iga; Phillippines “Mama Ranger” Angelique Songco; human rights advocate Georgiana Pascu; women’s rights leader Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit; journalist Namini Wijedasa; and Yemeni advocate Amat Al-Salam Abdullah Abdo al-Hajj.
Additionally, the Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award was given to the “Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh.”
The First Lady described these awardees as “brave women” who have “refused to let fear or hardship define them.” She specifically singled out Pascu, saying that she “exemplifies love in action.”
“Georgiana is a ‘watchdog’ who defends the dignity of Romanians whose voices cannot be heard,” Melania explained.
“She fearlessly enters facilities designated as ‘care centers’ to rescue people with disabilities who are unwittingly held captive. In fact, Georgiana usually shows up unannounced and discovers the unimaginable — helpless adults and children bound, sedated, starving, and in extreme cases, dying. Thanks to Georgiana’s brave work, dozens of offenders have been charged with human trafficking, exploitation, and even organized crime.”
The First Lady also extended a message to women across the world who advocate on behalf of others.
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“Let us also take a moment to acknowledge those who persist in their struggles,” she said. “For each of them, love serves as a powerful catalyst, instilling a profound sense of purpose in their endeavors. To the women who are driven to speak out for justice, even though their voices are trembling. To the women who are motivated to rise up for their community, when all others remain indifferent.To the women who feel compelled to heal wounds caused by hatred – and cherish peace.”
“These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world,” she added. “Their journeys remind us that true courage is born from a deep commitment to others, showing that love fuels the call for justice. Through their brave actions, they inspire us to embrace our own potential for change, teaching us that while courage drives us forward, it is love that lays the groundwork for lasting impact. Let their stories motivate us to take courageous steps, knowing that each act of love can spark a ripple of transformation.”
