Intl. Women's Media Foundation Honors Disney, Deutsch

On the afternoon of October 21, The International Women's Media Foundation's 26th�Annual Courage In Journalism Award Ceremony will honoring Abigail Disney and Linda Deutsch at a luncheon at Cipriani 42nd�Street.
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The IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards have honored women journalists who set themselves apart by their extraordinary bravery. Facing and surviving danger to uncover the truth, they raise the bar for reporting under duress.�Linda Deutsch, a special correspondent and trial reporter (retired) for the Associated Press, will receive the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award and renowned filmmaker, philanthropist and activist,�Abigail Disney�will receive this year's IWMF Leadership Honor.

Abigail E. Disney is a filmmaker, philanthropist and the CEO and president of Fork Films. Her longtime passion for women's issues and peace building culminated in producing her first film, "Pray The Devil Back To Hell," which is broadly credited with helping its lead figure, Leymah Gbowee, win a 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. She then executive produced the groundbreaking five-part PBS series, "Women, War & Peace," the most comprehensive global media initiative ever mounted on the role of women in peace and conflict.

Current projects include her director debut "The Armor Of Light," coming out October 2015 and "The Trials of Spring," which she executive produced. Disney is also the founder and president of Peace is Loud, a nonprofit organization that uses media and live events to highlight the stories of women who are stepping up for peace and resisting violence in their communities.

"As a human rights advocate, I am passionate about freedom of the press and gender equality. It is an honor to be recognized by the IWMF, an organization whose mission reflects my personal and creative pursuits," said Disney.

This year's other honorees are Mwape Kumwenda, a reporter for Muvi Television in Zambia,�Anna Nemtsova, a contributor for The Daily Beast and Newsweek in Russia, and�Lourdes Ramirez, a freelance journalist in Honduras.�

Co-Hosts�Norah O'Donnell�and�Cynthia McFadden will bring to the stage award presenters including James Goldston (President, ABC News), Norman Pearlstine (Chief Content Office, TIME Inc.), Alexandra Trower (Executive Vice President, Global communications, The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.) and Deborah Turness (President, NBC News). Bank of America is the National Presenting Sponsor for the tenth consecutive year.

IWMF Board of Directors include Co-Chair�Linda Mason,�Co-Chair�Cynthia McFadden�(NBC News), Vice-Chair�Alexandra Trower�(The Estee Lauder Companies, Inc.), Vice-Chair�Cindi Leive�(Glamour Magazine), Treasurer�Eric Harris,�Debra Adams Simmons�(Advance Publications, Inc.),�Christiane Amanpour�(CNN),�Nadia Bilbassy-Charters�(Al-Arabiya),�Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr.�(Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP),�Barbara Cochran�(Missouri School of Journalism),�Ann Curry,�Katty Kay�(BBC World News America),�Parisa Khosravi,�Bryan Monroe�(Temple University),�Norah O'Donnell�(CBS News),�Eugene Robinson�(The Washington Post),�Maria Elena Salinas�(Univision Network),�George Stephanopoulos�(ABC News),�Sharon Waxman�(TheWrap News Inc.),�Olivia Wilde,�Matthew Winkler�(Bloomberg News), and�George A. Lehner�(Legal Counsel, Pepper Hamilton LLP).
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For 25 years, the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) has been dedicated to strengthening the role of women journalists worldwide. The media is not truly free and representative without the equal voice of women. Our work celebrates the courage of women journalists who overcome threats and oppression to report and bear witness to global issues. Through our programs and grants we empower women journalists with the training, opportunities, and support to become leaders in the news industry.