Amnesty International USA: The Ginetta Sagan Award

Ginetta Sagan was a human rights activist and 1996 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who worked with Amnesty International for many years.

In 1994, Amnesty International USA established the Ginetta Sagan Fund to ensure that her legacy would live on. Winners of the Ginetta Sagan Award receive $20,000 in recognition of their work defending the rights of women and children through dangerous circumstances.

Nominations for 2023 are open until September 2, 2023 and winners will be notified in November. There has typically only been one recipient per year, but there have been as many as three.

Eligibility

Eligible nominees must:

  • Be women
  • Be the Founder and/or Executive Director of an organization
  • Have created significant change in their country, region, or issue
  • Have done exceptional work in human rights
  • Be under threat for their work

Political party leaders and government officials or employees are not eligible.

The Award

Award recipients will receive $20,000 to be used at their discretion. They may also receive up to $5,000 worth of professional development.

The purpose of the award is to:

  • Recognize outstanding work in the field of human rights, often done at personal risk
  • Increase the recipient’s ability to continue her work through financial support and increased international attention to her accomplishments and difficulties
  • Increase international awareness of the region and/or issue in which she works

Nomination Requirements

Each nomination should include:

  • Two letters of recommendation – These can be from anyone who can speak to the nominee’s human rights work and why she is deserving of the award
  • Photograph – A photograph of the nominee, which can legally be used in the media
  • Supporting materials – Supporting materials may include any relevant information such as interviews or articles about the nominee’s work
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