Mahatma Gandhi believed that in making any public decision, we should think deeply about how it affects the “last person” in society, centering those who are most vulnerable in all that we do. This is a vision that is deeply aligned with Center for Story & Witness’ global testimonial writing program for survivors of human rights violations.
It’s also the vision that inspired Apne Aap Women Worldwide to create The Last Girl Awards, in recognition of global changemakers whose work uplifts the most vulnerable among us: girls who are being bought and sold.
The 7th Annual Last Girl Awards, hosted at NYC’s Asia Society on September 30th, 2023 honored Malikah founder Rana Abdelhamid, Academy Award-winning film producer Melissa Berton, Save Ukraine founder Mykola Kubela, Stop Trafficking US founder Catherine Wilson, and Center for Story & Witness’ own Anne K. Ream.
Moderated by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ruchira Gupta, emceed by actress Sway Bhatia, and featuring a performance by dancer Parul Shah, the night was hosted by Gloria Steinem.
In accepting The Last Girl Award, Anne K. Ream noted:
“We are each of us in this room tonight because of a story…because someone had the courage to speak about a painful personal event in a way that called us to political action. I believe that the survivors of injustice who choose to share their stories do not do so because it is healing – though it can be – but because it is necessary in a world that so often disappears narratives of grief, trauma, and loss. Creating a space for these voices to emerge,and challenging a world that so often tries to erase them, is what Center for Story & Witness is all about.”
Congratulations to Anne, Rana, Melissa, Mykola, and Catherine for your commitment to putting the last among us first. We cannot wait to see what you do next.
