Clinton, Obama present Woman of Courage Award to Turkish MP

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

S First Lady Michelle Obama (L) and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton(R) pose with Safak Pavey of Turkey as she receives 2012 International Women of Courage Award during a ceremony in the Dean Acheson Auditorium of the State Department in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2012. AFP Photo

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentarian Şafak Pavey, the first disabled woman elected to the Turkish Parliament, received the International Women of Courage Award yesterday at a ceremony attended by U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"Safak Pavey has tireless passion and she has brought that energy to work on behalf of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," Hilary Clinton said. "We really honor you because you are going beyond the expectations that were set for you in your life, and by doing so you are breaking down barriers not only for your fellow Turkish citizens but for women and men everywhere."

"She lives her life by a simple motto," First Lady said of Pavey, during her speech. "These are her words: Whatever you experience is an example to others."

Other special guests of this year’s award ceremony included Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.

The prestigious Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage annually recognizes women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and empowerment, often at great personal risk. Since the inception of this award in 2007, the Department of State has honored 46 women from 34 countries.