Amnesty International has put out a call for nominations for the Ginetta Sagan Award for Women and Children's Rights. Sagan, a survivor herself with an incredible life story, was a human rights activist who worked tirelessly on behalf of political prisoners and others whose rights were in jeopardy. The annual presentation of the Ginetta Sagan Awardhonors the 'ordinary' women who have the courage to change their world.Here are the details of how to nominate someone:
The purpose of the Ginetta Sagan Fund of Amnesty International USA is to recognize and assist women who are working to protect the liberty and lives of women and children in areas where human rights violations are widespread. The 2010 award will be given to a woman who works on behalf of the human rights of children.
The Ginetta Sagan Fund recognizes individual accomplishment, but also serves as a beacon of hope to women everywhere who are fighting for human rights.
The Award:
- Recognizes outstanding achievement, often at great personal risk.
- Enhances the recipient's ability to live and work freely, and protects the recipient's capacity to continue her work, by bringing a new level of international attention to her accomplishments and the obstacles she faces.
- Brings increased international scrutiny to the crisis, region or issue for which the recipient works.
Awardee Qualities:
- Founder and/or Executive Director of an organization.
- Under threat for her activism.
- Proven effective at addressing human rights issues.
- Has brought about significant change in her country, region, or issue through her work.
- Not a political party leader or government official / employee.
The creation of the Ginetta Sagan Fund emphasizes that more human rights work must be done by and for women. The $10,000 award is announced and presented each year at the Annual
General Meeting (AGM) of Amnesty International USA. The 2010 AGM will be held in
New Orleans, Louisiana.
The $10,000 award can be used by the awardee at her complete discretion.
For information about previous awardees, please visit here and click on “Previous Years’ Winners” on the left menu bar.
HISTORY OF THE GINETTA SAGAN FUND
For more than three decades, the late Ginetta Sagan, (1925-2000), recipient of the 1996 Presidential Medal of Freedom, fought for the lives and rights of prisoners of conscience throughout the world. A tireless crusader and eternal optimist, Ginetta and her passionate dedication inspired generations of human rights advocates. In honor of her humanitarian achievements, Amnesty International USA created the Ginetta Sagan Fund in 1994, one of AIUSA's first permanently endowed funds and the only fund that specifically addresses the needs of women and children. The Ginetta Sagan Fund ensures the continuation in perpetuity of Ginetta's human rights legacy and brings worldwide attention to the abuses perpetrated on women and children.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
LETTER OF NOMINATION
This letter of nomination should inform the Selection Committee why the candidate should receive the Ginetta Sagan Award for Women’s and Children’s Rights. To the extent that it is relevant, please include any personal background related to human rights. Please include answers to the following questions:
- What kinds of personal interactions have you had with the candidate? How would you characterize those interactions?
- What compels you to nominate this candidate?
- How has the candidate impacted and/or transformed her community through her work? Examples from past nominees include changes to legislation, raising the profile of the issue in her country and internationally, providing life-saving services, etc. Please be as inclusive as possible.
- Any other relevant information you would like to include.
Please submit a signed electronic nomination letter (signature scanned, sent via email) or a hard copy of the letter that contains your signature.
TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
These two letters can be from anyone familiar with the candidate’s human rights work. If possible, please have these two letters sent along with the nomination package. If sent by email, please put the nominee’s full name in the subject line.
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Any material that can help the Selection Committee gain insight into the candidate would be very helpful. Electronic materials are especially welcome. This can include website links to press, interviews, one electronic or printed portrait photograph (if available), and any other relevant information. Please note that supporting materials will not be returned.
DEADLINE
Nomination and letters of recommendation must be received by OCTOBER 1, 2009.
SEND NOMINATION TO:
Email: gsf@aiusa.org
- OR -
The Ginetta Sagan Fund
c/o Amnesty International USA/GSF
350 Sansome Street, Suite 210
San Francisco, California 94104
Please send all inquiries to gsf@aiusa.org (preferred) or 415.288.1800 ext. 300.
CHECKLIST
• Letter of nomination (if submitted electronically, please send a scanned version that contains your signature)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Nomination Form
• Supporting materials
o Photograph
o News / articles
o Interviews
o Weblinks
