Africa-Press – Mozambique. Social activist and CEO of the Foundation for Community Development, Graça Machel, on Thursday accepted the DVF Lifetime Leadership Award for her humanitarian work, particularly in defence of women’s and children’s rights around the world.
The DVF Awards, conceived by fashion designer and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg and the Diller von Furstenberg Family Foundation, were established in 2010 to honour women who have displayed leadership, strength and courage in their commitment to their causes. Every year, each honouree receives a $100,000 foundation grant to further their work.
One of the organisation’s arguments for the distinction is that, “Graça Machel dedicated her life to improving the lot of women and children, inspiring hope and building a more just and equitable world for all of us”.
The award was personally presented by the renowned American presenter and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey.
“This is a woman who lives generosity. This is a woman who lives in service of something greater than herself. A woman who started out as a little girl in a small village in Mozambique who walked to school barefoot and went on to play a pivotal role in the history of two great African nations. Thank you, Diane, for spotlighting and lifting the work of extraordinary women like Her Excellency Mrs Graça Machel,” Oprah Winfrey wrote on her Instagram account, moments after the ceremony.
Graça Machel has over 50 years of humanitarian work behind her, particularly in the area in which she was recognized.
In addition to Graça Machel, this year’s edition of the DVF Awards, which coincided with the 60th Art Biennale and the 81st Venice Film Festival and were held on Thursday night at Tese Cinquecentesche, honoured former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern; co-founder of Women Wage Peace, Yael Admi; co-founder and director of Women of the Sun, Reem Hajajreh; climate justice activist and co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative, Xiye Bastida; and reproductive rights advocate and president of SVS Donna Help Donna, Alessandra Kustermann.
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