The National Democratic Institute (NDI) presented the 17th W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award and the third Madeleine K. Albright Grant at the NDI Democracy Luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi — the highest-ranking woman in American government — delivered the keynote address and joined us in honoring the achievements of this year’s awardees.

Each year, NDI honors an individual or organization that has exhibited a sustained commitment to democracy and human rights with the W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award [2]. Past recipients of the award have demonstrated leadership, integrity and courage in their dedication to democratic values and practices.

• NDI honored Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf [3], the first woman to lead an African nation, with this year’s W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award for her courageous leadership in Liberia and distinguished role in encouraging women’s participation in the democratic process. A tireless campaigner for reconciliation, justice and democratic rule, President Johnson Sirleaf has set her country on the road to political and economic recovery. In its efforts to rebuild a shattered infrastructure in partnership with the international community, Liberia’s new democratic government has begun the long road to improving the lives of citizens through greater access to clean water, electricity and roads.

As part of its commitment to promoting the equitable participation of women in politics and government, NDI established the annual Madeleine K. Albright Grant [4] in 2005 as a means of supporting organizations around the world that create greater roles for women in political and civic life. The Madeleine K. Albright Grant is part of NDI’s Win with Women Global Initiative, which promotes women’s political leadership worldwide.

• NDI honored the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone [5] with this year's Madeleine K. Albright Award. Founded in 2000 to promote greater participation of women in politics, the 50/50 Group has grown from a handful of women meeting in borrowed space in Freetown to a nationally recognized organization actively engaged in building a new post-war Sierra Leone. Its efforts in advance of the country’s 2002 elections contributed to a dramatic increase in opportunities for women to run as candidates and play more meaningful roles in their political parties. The organization has influenced the country’s legislative agenda, built a network of talented women to run for office, and played a key role in mobilizing women in August’s national elections.

The luncheon took place in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 24, 2007.

The Omni Shoreham Hotel (map [6])
2500 Calvert St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
Metro: Woodley Park/Zoo/Adams Morgan (Red Line)