The International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC) honored Ted Turner and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu for their efforts to help further the cause of the coalition and raise awareness for the plight of women all over the world and in developing nations. Wednesday evening's event at Cipriani 42, was hosted by Maria Hinojosa, of NOW on PBS, and was sponsored by the United Nations Foundation, NBA Cares, Time Warner, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Woodcock Foundation just to name a few.

Host Maria Hinojosa started out the evening by praising the coalition for their ability to empower women to "own their voice and power. They invest in the tremendous power of women, enabling then to transform their lives, their communities and their countries. These women speak out and act against violence against women, mobilize governments at the United Nations, and demand the education that people need to live healthy lives." What the coalition has been able to do is teach women that they can stand against the oppressive cultural norms of a nation, and they help women everywhere realize that they are more than second-class citizens and they are more than objects. The coalition stresses the fact that women are a vital resource, and what they provide to this world and humanity is irreplaceable, thus it is imperative that they are respected and treated with dignity.

The recognition of Ted Turner was presented by Diana L. Taylor, 2010 Gala Leadership Committee Chair, and was followed with speech by Ted Turner himself. For those who haven't had the opportunity to see him speak, it is truly an experience to be seen. He is honest and charismatic, genuine and straightforward. He pointed out that all of his life, he has had a strong woman who has been there for support and guidance, whether it was his mother, sister, friend or lover. It is the effect that these women have had in his life that have made it a priority of his to give back and help to provide that same network of support. When discussing all he has done, and the money he has given to various organizations including the IWHC, he shrugged and said, "I did it, because I thought it was the right thing to do."
Themes of empowerment and overcoming discrimination were reiterated throughout the evening, from the opening words of Maria Hinojosa, to the tribute to Richard B. Gamble, and the video greeting by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. And while the IWHC has been able to raise awareness for women struggling for equal rights and respect, there are still many steps that need to be taken in order to assure that women all over the world will be able to live a life free of discrimination, sexual coercion and violence. Hopefully through the work of the IWHC this dream is not a distant reality.