Awards
GLOBAL WOMAN AWARDS - Saturday, September 27, 2025
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.
2025 Awardees
Lifetime Achievement – Ms. Aissata Camara is a professional with over a decade of program development and management, strategic planning, operations, and relationship building experience in nonprofit, local government, and private sector. As a survivor of domestic and gender-based violence, she uses human-centered design techniques to ensure inclusion, equity, and sustainability in organizations and communities. Aissata also has extensive experiences activating people towards achieving common objectives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She excels in helping turn ideas into actionable steps by creating robust operations and evaluation systems. While working in leadership and management positions, she developed and implemented successful programs that impacted the lives of more than 40,000 people, especially women and youth, and those living in extreme poverty. Aissata co-founded There Is No Limit Foundation, an international nonprofit organization focused on serving people living in extreme poverty, especially women, girls, and people with disabilities. She graduated from Bernard M. Baruch College (CUNY) with a B.A. in International Relations and Social Policy. She went on to earn a M.P.A. in International Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy at the New York University (NYU) Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She has received numerous awards and recognition including the Jo Ivey Boufford Award for Innovative Solutions to Public Service Challenges. She was also named a Changemaker by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Aissata is a frequent speaker and contributor at conferences and convenings such as high-level events at the United Nations. She is a member of the US End FGM/C Network Steering Committee and the Forced Marriage Working Group, a core group of advocates and survivors with the energy, experience, and commitment to contribute deeply to efforts to address the problem of forced marriage in the United States.
Lisa C. Bruch Woman of the Year – Doris K. Mukangu, MPH brings over twenty-one years of leadership and management experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in refugee affairs, integration, and community empowerment. As a recognized subject matter expert she has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing programs that support the successful transition of refugees and immigrants into their new communities. At Amani Women Center, Doris provides leadership and operational oversight, ensuring the effective coordination of the organization’s daily activities. She's deeply committed to stewardship, program development, and culturally responsive service delivery, working to economically empower refugee women in Clarkston, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Atlanta metro area and parts of Africa. Doris has a proven track record of introducing and executing strategic plans that enhance health equity, research, and community engagement. She excels in designing and implementing evaluation methods, culturally appropriate training, and program planning, with a strong focus on women’s empowerment, health promotion, and disease prevention among vulnerable populations. Her dedication to building inclusive, sustainable communities has made a lasting impact in the refugee and immigrant space.
Advocacy – Ms. Patricia Mars is a seasoned advocate with over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her work centers on human rights and gender-based violence, blending grassroots activism with strategic storytelling. She hosts Changing Narratives, a podcast that elevates the efforts of The U.S. End FGM/C Network members and amplifies the voices of advocates, survivors and experts working to end FGM/C worldwide. Whether in the field or behind the mic, Patricia uses storytelling to foster empathy and raise awareness.
Education / Training – Mrs. Dorothy Grace Stewart has linked arms with advocates for more than 17 years pursuing social change in the U.S., U.K., South Sudan, and Kenya. As Founder of Accord, she supports mission-driven organizations to strengthen child protection services and foster cross-sector collaboration for survivors of crime. Her career has spanned post-conflict restoration, organizational development, and leadership coaching for nonprofits worldwide. Previously, Grace served as Chief Strategy Officer for the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network, where she led statewide initiatives supporting 21 Child Advocacy Centers, advanced quality assurance processes, expanded funding opportunities, and fostered groundbreaking partnerships to improve services for survivors of crime. Internationally, she has consulted on change management and strategic planning, coordinated gender-based violence and reconciliation initiatives, and supported large-scale organizational transitions in the U.K., Kenya and South Sudan. Recognized for her ability to align big-picture vision with practical solutions, Grace helps organizations thrive while creating tangible, lasting impact for vulnerable populations. She lives on a hilltop in West Virginia with her husband, two dogs, and two cats, and enjoys hiking, wild swimming, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Education / Training – Mr. Sean Callaghan is Head of Research at Orchid Project, Senior Research Consultant at the AHA Foundation and a doctoral candidate at the University of Leicester. He is a published researcher with several articles and reports related to FGM/C published in both academic journals and with non-profit partners. Sean manages the FGM/C Research Initiative, which provides an online library of relevant research on FGM/C spanning 80 countries. He is the author of the 2023 study on the prevalence of FGM/C in the United States.
Survivor Activist – Mrs. Hassanatu Konomanyi is a resilient mother, advocate, and survivor who has transformed her healing journey into one of strength and purpose. After arriving in the United States, she found critical support through the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation, where she received therapy, guidance, and education that helped her reclaim her voice and confidence. With a passion for empowering herself and her family, Hassanatu is working to establish KevKev, a small business inspired by her children, which includes plans for a hair design salon and other ventures. Though still in the early stages, her dream reflects her determination to build a stable, independent future. Today, Hassanatu stands as a courageous voice against female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), committed to protecting the next generation and uplifting other survivors through her story.,
Student Ambassador – Ms. Tracy Strama Lynn is a committed public health professional and advocate for gender equity who earned her Master of Public Health from George Washington University in May 2025. During her graduate studies, she served as a member of the GWPF Resource Development Team, where she contributed to initiatives focused on population health and the prevention of gender-based violence. With a clinical background as a Registered Nurse and experience in both civilian and military medical settings, Tracy brings a deep understanding of emergency medicine, surgical care, and the broader health needs of vulnerable communities. Her work is shaped by a strong belief in the power of trauma-informed, equitable approaches to care and advocacy. Following the completion of her internship, Tracy has remained actively involved with Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation, continuing to support its mission through outreach, education, and program development. She is dedicated to advancing the Foundation’s efforts to promote safety, healing, and empowerment for survivors of gender-based violence. As the recipient of the Global Woman Award in the “Student Ambassador” category, Tracy is honored to continue standing with the Foundation in its commitment to creating a more just and compassionate world for women and girls everywhere.
Donald A. Strong Man of the Year – Mr. Robert J. Peters, Esq. began his career in the courtroom, serving as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Special Prosecutor in multiple West Virginia jurisdictions, where he specialized in the prosecution of sexual offenses, online child exploitation, child abuse and neglect, and youth with problematic sexual behavior. Following that work, he developed training, tools, publications, and technical assistance for child abuse prosecutors and allied professionals across the United States through work with the Zero Abuse Project and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). Robert has worked for GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) for over a decade as a civil investigator and now serves as the Director of Institutional Response, overseeing all independent third-party investigations. He is a prolific author of scholarly and practical publications relating to child abuse prosecution and investigation, and the founder of Coursing Justice, a training organization for criminal justice and child protection professionals. While a prosecutor, Robert founded SHIELD Task Force, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with Child Advocacy Centers and local stakeholders to equip children and supportive adults with age-appropriate body and online safety guidance. Mr. Peters has served as the Board Chair for multiple nonprofits, including the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN).
Policymaking / Legal – Dr. Mary Roach is a Doctor of Pharmacy with over 25 years of frontline experience in healthcare. She is a proud Army veteran, and a lifelong servant to her community. Her education and professional training have taken her through some of the most esteemed institutions in the country—Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Howard University, Johns Hopkins, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Children’s National Medical Center, and Ohio State University. She holds a Doctorate and Bachelor of Science from Howard University, and a Master’s Degree from Ohio State. Throughout her career, she has led with excellence, discipline, and compassion. As a supervisor at Johns Hopkins, she demanded accountability—not for the sake of protocol, but for the lives depending on them. It is the same sense of urgency, integrity, and love for people that drove her work in Ward 8 in Washington, DC. She is currently a candidate for City Councilwoman in her Ward 8 District. As President of the JJ Center, Inc., Dr. Roach and her husband began a food service in their community and have served more than 750 families over the last twenty years. She has a personal passion for advocacy, especially after working with breast cancer patients. Dr. Roach is an advocate for abused women, including female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). She does not talk about service to others, she lives it.
Medical / Health – Michelle R. Decker, ScD, MPH, is a prominent figure in the field of public health, particularly in the areas of gender equity and gender-based violence prevention and response. She is a Professor in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and holds an endowed Bloomberg Professorship of American Health. Michelle leads a global research and training portfolio on gender equity, and gender-based violence prevention and response, in close partnership with practitioners and communities most affected. Dr. Decker's research focuses on the epidemiology, social determinants, health impact, and prevention of gender-based violence, as well as other gender inequities. Her work includes the evaluation of innovative GBV prevention and response strategies, such as housing supports, clinic-based interventions, and tech-based solutions, and research in partnership with communities to document violence and understand its impact. Dr. Decker is also the founding instructor of the GBV course at Johns Hopkins Public Health Sciences (SPH).
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