Awards

GLOBAL WOMAN AWARDS - Saturday, September 26, 2026

12:00AM EST Washington, D.C./U.S. Eastern Time

Join us for keynote address, presentation of awards, awardee speeches, and entertainment.

Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation has been awarding women and men for their work against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other types of violence against women and girls since 2015. The purpose of the Global Woman Awards is to recognize women, men, and students who use their talents and professional attributes to help in the campaign to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and support other women’s interests, globally.

2026 Awardees

Lifetime Achievement – Former Federal Prosecutor, Susan Masling Rubel served as a prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) from 1990 until her retirement in 2025. During her 35-year career at the Department, she investigated and prosecuted World War II Nazi perpetrators living in the United States, as well as others responsible for human rights violations. As part of her work at HRSP, Susan focused on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), handling investigations and prosecutions involving alleged violations of the federal FGM/C statute and working on broader federal efforts to combat the practice. Among other responsibilities, she chaired the federal Interagency Working Group on FGM/C and assisted in redrafting the federal FGM/C statute, culminating in the STOP FGM Act of 2020, which was passed unanimously by Congress. Susan has continued her work on FGM/C after retirement as a member of the DMV Coalition Against FGM/C. She also worked with advocates and other stakeholders on revisions to Maryland’s FGM/C law, which were enacted in 2026 to strengthen the state’s legal protections against the practice. Susan is currently a volunteer with Lawyers Defending American Democracy (LDAD), where she serves as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director and works on initiatives to mobilize lawyers in defense of the rule of law and democratic institutions.

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year – Hon. Delegate Dana Jones was born, raised, and educated in Maryland. Before joining the Maryland Legislature, Dana spent 23 years working with elected officials including serving as a Legislative Assistant to then-Congressman Benjamin Cardin (MD-3) on Capitol Hill, as a Senior Researcher at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Senior staff at EMILY's List and partner in her own national consulting firm. In 2020, just days after a statewide stay-at-home order was issued due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dana was chosen by the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee and appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to represent District 30A in the Maryland General Assembly. In 2022 she was reelected to her purple district winning by 11% points. In the six sessions Dana has served, she has been one of the most productive members of the General Assembly passing 41 bills, including The Freedom to Read Act, a historic piece of legislation that makes Maryland the first in the Nation to protect books from authoritarian bans, protects our library spaces and librarians from censorship, punitive action and harassment. Her legislative portfolio also includes expansive work on election law to protect our democracy, broadening access to telehealth services for students, and supporting our firefighter and EMS personnel.

In 2026 Dana was named Deputy Speaker Pro Tem. She currently serves on the Appropriations Committee, where she is the Vice Chair of the Health and Social Services Subcommittee, and a member of the Oversight Committee on Pensions. She also serves as the Capital Budget Chair of the Anne Arundel County House Delegation. She and her family are active with numerous local community organizations in Annapolis & Anne Arundel county, and most weekends can be found volunteering or at a youth sports event for their son with their puppy, Annie Chesapeake.

Advocacy – Kaitlin Mitchell serves as the Policy and Advocacy Manager at the U.S. End FGM/C Network, a national, member-based organization working to address female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the United States. The Network brings together over 200 members, including survivors, civil society organizations, foundations, activists, policymakers, researchers, and healthcare providers, who are committed to ending this human rights violation worldwide. In her role, Kaitlin advocates for the passage, implementation, and enforcement of anti-FGM/C laws at the state, federal, and global levels. A knowledgeable and passionate women’s rights advocate with a strong background in public health, Kaitlin’s work focuses on advancing the rights of women and adolescent girls, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender-based violence. She brings over nine years of experience working at the state, national, and global levels across UN agencies, nonprofit organizations, research institutes, and healthcare settings. Prior to joining the Network, Kaitlin served as a consultant at UNAIDS, where she co-created and launched #BeTeamWomen, a global advocacy initiative promoting gender and racial equality. The initiative mobilized women activists and advocates to foster connections, align agendas, and amplify action across sectors to drive greater accountability. She also serves as a consultant for the WHO–UNFPA Learning by Sharing Portal (LSP), where she champions access to comprehensive SRHR as part of broader strategies to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Education / Training & Medical/Health – Anneli Mervaara is a third-year Joint Master of Public Health and Physician Assistant student at George Washington University dedicated to advancing women’s health, reproductive justice, and clinical advocacy. With a strong clinical foundation built as an Emergency Room Clinical Care Technician and a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinical Research Assistant, she brings a deep commitment to patient-centered care and advocacy. Her research focuses on transforming clinical education, specifically pioneering survivor-informed case studies to better prepare future PAs to care for survivors of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Honored with two awards at the 2025 Milken Institute School of Public Health Research Day for this work, Anneli is mentored by Dr. Karen McDonnell. Looking ahead, she aims to combine clinical practice with a long-term commitment to educating and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Education / Training & Medical/Health – Noah White is a third-year joint Master of Public Health and Physician Assistant student at the George Washington University with a passion for preventive care and women's health. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, he pivoted from engineering to healthcare. His experience working as an EMT in the Greater Boston Area and engaging in clinical research at Boston Medical Center’s Breast Imaging Center solidified a desire to help historically underserved communities. He is a member of a multidisciplinary research team that developed and evaluated a survivor-informed educational case study to prepare future PAs on how to care for survivors of female genital mutilation/ cutting. He has been mentored by Dr. Karen McDonnell, an associate professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, and hopes to continue to blend clinical care, provider education, and advocacy as he begins his career.

Education / Training & Medical/Health – Sydney Richards is a third-year joint Master of Public Health and Physician Assistant Studies student at The George Washington University with a strong interest in obstetrics and gynecology, women's health, and health equity. She is a member of a multidisciplinary research team that developed and evaluated an evidence based educational case study to improve PA students' knowledge and confidence in providing trauma informed care for survivors of FGM/C. [The project received two awards at the 2025 Milken Institute School of Public Health Research Day and was selected for presentation at the 2026 AAPA Annual Conference (feel free to remove this if needed)]. She has been mentored by Dr. Karen McDonnell, Associate Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health and hopes to continue advancing women's health through clinical practice, education, and advocacy.

Survivor Activist – Aleisa Myles studied Clinical Psychology at Widener University and completed psychoanalytic training at the Institute of Relational Psychoanalysis of Philadelphia. Aleisa's work often engages with themes of sexuality and spirituality, power relations, and sociopolitical changemaking. She has also taught and spoken on “childism”--oppression against children. She is the author of the 2026 article "Intolerable countertransference: Why we usually cannot approach what is called "circumcision," published in the International Forum of Psychoanalysis. In addition, she has served for over a decade as a grassroots environmental and social justice community organizer and continually strives toward empowerment and advocacy as a blind person.

Student Ambassador – Briana Prue is a Master of Public Health candidate and a Lead Patient Access Facilitator at an outpatient rehabilitation center, where one of her specialties is pelvic floor physical therapy. Her professional experiences have strengthened her passion for addressing health equity, improving health literacy, increasing healthcare accessibility, and the need for multidisciplinary care. Her work with Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) focused on improving awareness of physical therapy as a supportive treatment option for recovery. Through her professional and academic work, she hopes to continue empowering underserved communities with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their health and bettering health outcomes.

Donald A. Strong Man of the Year – Josh Paper is a lifelong Marylander, Josh has spent his career in public service, working to shape policy that improves the lives of Marylanders. He has served four years as Chief of Staff to Delegate Dana Jones (District 30A), Deputy Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, where he leads policy strategy, communications, and project management across a legislative portfolio of more than 200 sponsored and cosponsored bills, including 35 passed into law with Delegate Jones as lead sponsor. His policy work includes the nation's first Freedom to Read Act, which protected Maryland libraries, librarians, and literature from book bans; legislation expanding student access to telehealth services; and consumer financial protection legislation. Josh also serves as the Delegate's Campaign Manager, having directed her 2022 general and 2026 primary election victories. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business and a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy from St. Mary's College of Maryland and was named to Young Democrats of Maryland's 36 Under 36 list in 2025.

Policymaking / Legal – Hon. Senator Sara Love graduated from Princeton University and Northwestern University School of Law. She was sworn in as the Senator for District 16 on June 13, 2024. She serves on the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, as well as the Chesapeake Bay Commission (which she previously chaired), the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, the Joint Committee on the Atlantic and Coastal Bays Critical Area, and the Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness. Her legislative work focuses on making our criminal legal system more equitable, protecting the environment, and safeguarding privacy. Sara was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in November 2018. She served on the Environment & Transportation Committee and two of its subcommittees, Motor Vehicles & Transportation, which she chaired, and Environment. During her last four years as a Delegate, she chaired the Montgomery County House Delegation Land Use, Transportation and Public Safety Committee. She also served on the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, and the Zero-Emission and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council.

2025 Awardees

Lifetime Achievement – Ms. Aissata Camara

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year – Doris K. Mukangu, MPH

Advocacy – Ms. Patricia Mars

Education / Training – Mrs. Dorothy Grace Stewart

Education / Training – Mr. Sean Callaghan

Survivor Activist – Mrs. Hassanatu Konomanyi

Student Ambassador – Ms. Tracy Strama Lynn

Donald A. Strong Man of the Year – Mr. Robert J. Peters, Esq.

Policymaking / Legal – Dr. Mary Roach

Medical / Health – Michelle R. Decker, ScD, MPH,

2024 Awardees

Lifetime Achievement – Bernadette Resian Loloju

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year – Amy Hill

Advocacy – Mariam Bojang

Education / Training – Fairuz Mohammed

Survivor Activist – Isatou Jeng

Survivor Activist – Sinnah Bangura

Student Ambassador – Summer de Vera

Donald A. Strong Man of the Year – Arnold DeShield

Policymaking / Legal – Sen. Karen Keiser

Medical / Health – Dr. Diane J. Young, DrPH, MS, RN

2023 Awardees

Lifetime Achievement – Madam Fatoumata Kande-Kouyate

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year – F.A. Cole

Advocacy – Caitlin LeMay

Education / Training – Dr. Krishna Patel

Survivor Activist – Jennifer Hawkins

Survivor Activist – Sunshine Chantal Bayor

Student Ambassador – Grace E. Olander

Student Ambassador – Esther Park

Donald A. Strong Man of the Year – Dr. Mamady Kamara

Policymaking / Legal – Mariya Taher

Medical / Health – Dr. Nettie Johnson

2022 Awardees

Survivor Activist: Comfort Dondo

Donald A. Strong Man of the Year: Mohammad Chappalwala

Medical / Health: Mariama Diallo

Education / Training: Dr. Nicole Warren

Advocacy: Lola Ibrahim

Policy Making / Legal: Hon. Dame Pauline Tallen

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year: Dr. Crista Johnson Agbakwu

Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Joanna Vergoth

Student Ambassadors: Janay Johnson & Tetua-Ra’a Espere

2021 Awardees

Survivor Activist: Renee Bergstrom, Ed.D

Man of the Year: Imam Mohamed Hagmagid

Medical / Training: Dr. Jacqueline K. Hoang

Education / Training: Deborah Jackson, Ed.D

Advocacy: Sayydah Garrett

Policy Making / Legal: Lyric Thompson

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year: Khadijah Abdullah

Lifetime Achievement: Shelby R. Quast

Student Ambassadors: Charbene Williams

2020 Awardees

Lifetime Achievement - U.S. Congressman Gerald E. Connolly

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year Award - U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Advocacy - Purity Soinato Oiyie

Education / Training - Donald A. Strong, BS, MBA, MPH

Survivor Activist - Ifrah Ahmed

Student Ambassador - Marin Hoang

Man of the Year - Alexander Adams

Policy-Making / Legal - Jeanne Smoot

Medical / Health (Shared with Dr. Jehan El-Bayoumi) - Dr. Sohail Rana

Medical / Health (Shared with Dr. Sohail Rana) - Dr. Jehan (Gigi) El-Bayoumi

2019 Awardees

Advocacy - Djessou Kouyate

Policy Making - Representative Thomas P. Murt, Pennsylvania

Survivor Activist - Maryum Saifee

Education/Training - Dr. Ghada Khan

Legal - Attorney Sandra Roland

Medical/Health - Dr. Willa Jones

Student Ambassador - Edwige Dossou Kitti

Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year - Monalisa Dugue

Man of the Year - Dr. Morissanda Kouyate

2018 Awardees

Advocacy - Susan McLucas (1st Place); Adriana Kaplan (2nd Place)

Policy Making - Giselle Portenier (1st Place); Sarah Champion & Heather Sirocki (2nd Place tie)

Survivor Activist - Severina Lemachokoti (1st Place); Marie-Claire Moraldo (2nd Place)

Education/Training - Dr. Karen McDonnell & Hazel Barrett (1st Place tie); Barbara Nowak (2nd Place)

Literary - Kameel Ahmady (1st Place); Ramah Abdulaleem (2nd Place)

Legal - Ayodele Gansallo (1st Place); Dexter Dias (2nd Place)

Medical/Health - Dr. Mawaheb El-Mouelhy (1st Place); Dr. Ranit Mishori (2nd Place)

Media - David Indeje

Student Ambassador - Maria Akhter (1st Place); Fatu Drame (2nd Place)

Person of the Year - Dr. Beryl Dorsett (1st Place); Joetta Brown (2nd Place)

2017 Awardees

Advocacy - Arifa Nasim

Policy Making - Senator Richard H. Black

Survivor Activist - Mariya Taher

Education/Training - Edna Adan Ismail

Literacy - Tobe Levin Freifrau von Gleichen

Legal - Linda Weil-Curiel

Medical/Health - Dr. Pierre Foldes & Ms. Frederique Martz (Shared)

Media - Maggie O'Kane

Student Ambassador - Adama Diaby

2016 Awardees

Literary - Hilary Burrage

Advocacy - Susan Gibbs

Advocacy - Elisabeth Wilson

Advocacy - Sherelle Carper

Media - Andrea Roane

Media - Diane Walsh

Media - Missy Crutchfield

Artistic Advocacy - Godfrey Williams-Okorodus

Artistic Advocacy - Kristin Hoffmann

Legal - Susan L. Masling

Student Ambassador - Amani Sade DeShield

Education - Sarah Sisaye

Survivor Activist - Yatta Donsii

2015 Awardees

Medical - Dr. Marci Bowers

Legal - Shelby Quast

Leadership Advocacy - Fatoumata Kande

Leadership Advocacy - Martha Allen

Survivor Activist - Jaha Dukurah (The Gambia)

Survivor Activist - Mariam Bojang (The Gambia)

Survivor Activist - Aissata Camara (Guinea)

Survivor Activist - Eva Flomo (Liberia)

Survivor Activist - Annie Wright (Liberia)

Survivor Activist - Hibo Wardere (Somalia)

Survivor Activist - Francess Cole (Sierra Leone)

Donor Advocacy - Lisa C. Bruch