Profiles in Courage
November 6th, 2006 by Lola
I hate to be the one to break it to you, ladies, but this life we lead is not entirely one of glitz and glamour. Many women around the world have never heard the names Manolo Blahnik or Miuccia Prada as their daily lives are more affected on a day-to-day basis by Hezbollah or Mao Tse Tsung.
Tuesday, I attended the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Awards, honoring some among us who literally put their lives and limbs on the line in pursuit of truth. The lunch reception was held in the majestic Waldorf=Astoria ballroom; 638 power-suited attendees sipped Sauvignon Blanc, savored salmon and sat enrapt as they honored four fearless women.
Jill Carroll, the Christian Science Monitor freelancer who was abducted by extremists in Iraq, was the first honoree. Diane Sawyer delivered a powerful introduction for the plucky 20-something, including a video montage that told the story of Carroll’s harrowing 82 days as a hostage. Though she attended, shock of magenta hair and all, Carroll opted to send her editor Richard Bergenheim to accept the award and mention funds for her translator Alan Enwiya, who was killed during the abduction attempt, and her driver Adnan Abbas, whose family is still in danger in Iraq.
Next, the IWMF finally got a chance to present a long-awaited award to imprisoned Chinese journalist Gao Yu. The Foundation originally selected Yu for the award in 1995, but only days before she was scheduled to travel to New York to receive it, the Chinese government imprisoned her for what would become a six-year sentence. Yu gave an impassioned speech through a translator, saying that in this age, people in influence can choose a gun or a pen. “I am fortunate to live in a generation,” said Yu, “when I can choose the pen.”
The third recipient was Lebanese journalist May Chidiac. Like a female Anderson Cooper, Chidiac hosts a talk program that challenges the typically hard-line government. That is, she hosted it until assassins attempted to suppress her with a car bomb that irreparably damaged her left hand and left leg a little more than a year ago. With guts and gusto, Chidiac recovered, returned to TV and has announced that she is considering running for Lebanese parliament.
Finally, the IWMF Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Elena Poniatowska, whose “pioneering spirit and whose determination has paved the way for future generations of women in the media.” Flowers entwined with her silver locks, Poniatowska looked stunning in the vibrant traditional garb of her native Mexico.
All in all, the afternoon was empowering, two hours well spent. Don’t get me wrong, I savor a woman’s right to Choos—Jimmy Choos, that is—but the fete’s focus group of feisty, fearless femmes also made me value the power of choice I have as a young lady in this crazy, mixed-up city. Glamourites, go forth!