Women for Women International was founded by a wife and husband, Zainab Salbi and Amjad Atallah, who were motivated to act after learning of the plight of women in rape camps during the Yugoslav Wars and the slow response of the international community.
Thus far, the Award has been presented to Zainab Salbi, Founder and CEO of Women for Women International, Jill Abramson, the first female Executive Editor of the New York Times, and civil rights leader, influential journalist and foreign correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault, in recognition of their trailblazing work and leadership that is impacting the world.