For Immediate Release

May 18, 2007

Feminist Majority Foundation Hosts Third Global Awards Dinner

Co-chaired by Jay and Mavis Leno, the Feminist Majority Foundation’s third Global Women’s Rights Awards honored four extraordinary women’s rights leaders in Beverly Hills on Monday. The event, an annual fundraiser for the Feminist Majority Foundation, brought together women leaders from around the world to celebrate and highlight the critical leadership women are providing globally and across the US in the pursuit of women’s rights and environmental activism.

The 2007 honorees receiving the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Global Women’s Rights were Dr. Sima Samar, chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and highest-ranking female in the Afghan government; Yanar Mohammed, founder and president of the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq; Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves, a mobile clinic offering safe abortions and inspiring legalization campaigns internationally; and Laurie David, environmental leader and producer of the Oscar-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth.

Christine Lahti — activist, director, and award-winning actor — moderated the evening’s panel conversation, which featured a forum with the honorees and Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal. For those in the audience, the panel conversation provided the opportunity to listen to the stories of the honorees and hear first-hand accounts of their tireless work for women’s and human rights.

Hosted by Jay Leno, the evening’s activities also included an auction, which featured items such as an original, first issue of Ms. magazine signed by Gloria Steinem. All funds raised during the auction and through the event directly help support the Feminist Majority Foundation’s continuing efforts to raise the status of women and girls in this country and around the world.

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