First lady Melania Trump recognized courageous women from all corners of the world at the State Department Tuesday, celebrating "the extraordinary strength of women who embody love in action around the globe."
The first lady returned to the State Department for her fifth year, participating in the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Awards.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered remarks at the beginning of the event, which was also attended by female members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, as well as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
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The event recognized women from around the globe who have "bravely stood up for many of the values we cherish here in the United States."
The first lady focused on "love as a source of strength" during her remarks Tuesday and called love a "universal language."
"Throughout my life, I have harnessed the power of love as a source of strength during challenging times," the first lady said Tuesday. "Love has inspired me to embrace forgiveness, nurture empathy, and exhibit bravery in the face of unforeseen obstacles."
The first lady said the event Tuesday at the State Department was a celebration of "courage," which is "a strength based in love."
Melania Trump said the honorees have proven that "love can inspire extraordinary valor even in the face of vulnerability."
"Their remarkable stories are a testament to the power of love in practice — for family, community and our world," she said. "This is especially evident in places where their passion defies convention and when it has been shown at great personal risk of stigma, persecution, or harm."
The first lady pointed to one honoree, Georgiana Pascu, who she said "exemplifies love in action."
The first lady described her as a "watchdog" who "defends the dignity of Romanians whose voices cannot be heard."
"Thanks to Georgiana’s brave work, dozens of offenders have been charged with human trafficking, exploitation, and even organized crime," the first lady said.
The first lady honored all women who "persist in their struggles," with a message "to the women who are driven to speak out for justice, even though their voices are trembling; to the women who are motivated to rise up for their community, when all others remain indifferent; to the women who feel compelled to heal wounds caused by hatred — and cherish peace."
"The 2025 International Women of Courage Award recipients come from diverse backgrounds and regions," she said. "Yet, love transcends boundaries and territories — it is a universal language."
The first lady said the honorees’ "courage propels all of humanity forward by advocating to end violence against women and girls, promoting democratic governance, defending human rights, championing education, and fighting injustice."
"Through their efforts, they instigate progress for all of humanity," she said. "These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world."
The first lady said the "journeys" of the honorees "remind us that true courage is born from a deep commitment to others, showing that love fuels the call for justice."
"Through their brave actions, they inspire us to embrace our own potential for change, teaching us that while courage drives us forward, it is love that lays the groundwork for lasting impact," she said. "Let their stories motivate us to take courageous steps, knowing that each act of love can spark a ripple of transformation."
Recipients include women from Burkina Faso in West Africa, Israel, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Sudan, Sri Lanka and Yemen. One of the recipients, Amit Soussana, was taken hostage by Hamas in Israel during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Soussana is an advocate for the hostages that remain under Hamas control.
The IWOC Award is in its 19th year and recognizes women from around the world who have demonstrated "exceptional courage, strength, and leadership — often at great personal risk and sacrifice."
"Mrs. Trump will highlight the profound connection between the love and courage shown by this year’s honorees," first lady spokesman Nick Clemens told Fox News Digital ahead of the event. "She looks forward to celebrating the extraordinary strength of women who embody love in action around the globe."
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The State Department said that since 2007, it has recognized more than 200 women from more than 90 countries with the IWOC Award.
U.S. diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.
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