This award salutes a woman whose courage and determination to bring to our attention the plight of other human beings – often at risk to herself – changes the way we think about the world.
Sponsored by: Pilkington
Jasvindar Sanghera 2007 Jasvinder Sanghera campaigns for the rights of victims of forced marriage, domestic violence and honour killings. As a result of her charity, Karma Nirvana, she has provided support to many women unable to help themselves- often putting her herself at risk. Jasvinder works regularly with the British Transport Police and is a regular contributor to official think tanks and organisations concerned with integration and the growing crimes against individual freedoms. She refused her own forced marriage and broke the silence by sharing her experience, and the experiences of her six older sisters, who were all taken to India to marry and then trapped in abusive and oppressive relationships. It is her belief and courage that has opened a window of opportunity to those in need.
Tabitha Khumalo 2006
Campaigns vociferously for basic human needs for the women of Zimbabwe at great danger to herself.
Claire Bertschinger 2005
Red Cross nurse who inspired Bob Geldof to do LiveAid in 1985 raising the international awareness of the Ethopian famine
Mary Blewitt 2004
A survivor of the Rwandan genocide, who has worked tirelessly to care for other survivors.
Charlotte di Vita 2003
Founded Trade Plus Aid in 1992, which is now involved in 12 countries in the third world. The organisation helps deprived communities to become self-sufficient by funding new markets for their traditional crafts.
Irene Khan 2002
Secretary General of Amnesty International. The first woman in its history to lead this influential human rights organisation that has over a million members in 140 countries.
Marie Calvin 2001
Sunday Times War Correspondent. Lost an eye from a burst of shrapnel in Sri Lanka. She reported on the troubles in Kosovo, Chechnya and East Timor and her team was captured by Tamil rebels.
