IWMF Honors Exemplary Female Journalists at 2017 Courage in Journalism Awards in NYC

The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF) honored several outstanding female journalists at the 2017 Courage in Journalism Awards luncheon on October 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The honorees were selected for exhibiting extraordinary bravery and courage as they reported from areas of instability, oppression and conflict. Since its inception in 1990, the IWMF has honored more than 100 female journalists from 55 countries.

This year's honorees included Deborah Amos, Middle East Correspondent for NPR News, who has worked on numerous front lines, covered Syria's violent and protracted crisis, and was kidnapped in Somalia; Saniya Toiken, a reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Kazakhstan, who has been harassed, threatened, and scrutinized for her reporting on government corruption and labor issues; and Hadeel al-Yamani, who is the first woman television correspondent for Al Jazeera Arabic in Yemen and has covered the civil war.

Andrea Mitchell, long-time Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent for NBC News and host of MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports," received IWMF's Lifetime Achievement Award for entering her fifth decade of political reporting.

In addition to speaking about her own career and the importance of receiving the IWMF's Lifetime Achievement Award, Mitchell called out the injustice of Courage Winner Hadeel Al Yamani being denied a visa due to the travel ban.

"Would someone explain to me -- and I will get to the bottom of this... why Hadeel -- who stood and braved the warzone and all the intimidation and dangers without missing a beat, without losing any of her tenacity, her courage, her passion for telling the story of her countrymen, the women and the people suffering there, exactly what threat does she pose to the borders of the United States of America?" Mitchell questioned.

She added, "If we cannot give a visa to Hadeel al Yamani to come to this country and accept the award that she so incredibly deserves, what do we stand for? What is the first amendment? What is the freedom of our country?"

MSNBC's host Rachel Maddow joined Mitchell on stage following her acceptance to hold a special conversation about the state of our nation and the media's role in it, specifically as a female journalist. Maddow started the conversation by taking the moment to share what she appreciates most about Andrea and how she has paved the way for female journalists.

"You are the person who made me a feminist at work because you made me realize that I couldn't do it alone and that the women around me had figured out how to do it in the business that we operate in and that we were not going to be able to get the finish line without each other. And you made room for me in a way that no one else has, and I can never repay you for that," Maddow said to a room full of roaring applause and appreciation.

At the event, the IWMF also announced American radio journalist Michele Norris as the winner of its inaugural Gwen Ifill Award, which was named in honor of the legendary PBS NewsHour broadcaster and recognizes an outstanding woman journalist of color who carries forward Ifill's legacy of mentorship, leadership and commitment to diversity in journalism. Norris is a former host of the National Public Radio evening news program, "All Things Considered." She was the first African-American female host for NPR.

Lisa Caputo, EVP of Marketing and Communications for The Travelers Companies, Inc., was recognized as the IWMF Leadership Honoree.

Norah O'Donnell of CBS News and Cynthia McFadden of NBC News served as co-hosts for the program.

"Women represent at least half the world's population, and so it's imperative that the news media include their clear, strong voices -- asking tough questions and pushing for the truth. Now, more than perhaps ever before, I think we all appreciate just how important thoughtful and tenacious journalists are in helping to keep citizens informed, bringing truth to power, and in giving voice to those who might otherwise be marginalized," O'Donnell said in her welcome remarks.

"At a time when the press is being identified as 'the enemy'; when female journalists have to be escorted out of campaign rallies because of threats to their physical safety, the IWMF's role to protect journalists, their mission and their integrity is more vital now than ever," McFadden added.

"Today, in New York, we recognized visionaries in our field. Our Courage winners overcome incredible odds to bring us stories of conflict and humanity -- that we would likely not hear otherwise. At a time when press freedom is on shaky ground, we honor their commitment to the truth and to women journalists who follow in their footsteps," Elisa Lee Mu�oz, Executive Director of the IWMF, said.

Presenters included Anne Finucane, who chaired the event; Phil Griffin; Suzanne Malveaux and Bryan Monroe. Additional attendees included Cathie Black, Connie Chung, Poppy Harlow, Gayle King, Cindi Leive and David Rhodes.

The 2017 award winners also are being recognized in Washington, DC on October 23, 2017 in a ceremony hosted by Judy Woodruff (PBS NewsHour) and in Los Angeles on October 25, 2017 in a ceremony hosted by Willow Bay (USC Annenberg School for Journalism and Communication).

Since its inception in 1990, IWMF has honored more than 100 women journalists from 55 countries as part of its Courage in Journalism Awards program.

Funds raised at the events sustain IWMF programs and grants that empower women journalists with the training, opportunities, and support to become leaders in the news industry, including direct support for the IWMF's Emergency Fund, which supports female journalists in crisis.