The Secretary of State will present the International Women of Courage Awards March 10 in Washington, D.C. Tonic talks to one of the inspiring, life-risking honorees. Simply put: Courage personified.

Being courageous is an admirable trait. It’s something that we all aspire to, and encourage in others. But courage, like beauty, is often in the eye of the beholder. To some, deciding to become a parent is the largest act of courage they will ever face. Others may have to muster up strength to battle domestic abuse. Some fight the morning simply to go to a job they hate each and every day. Still others face danger, imprisonment, and even death for causes they believe in, yet continue to be fearless. In all cases, it is determination, bravery, and a strong sense of spirit that pull us through.

This week, in conjunction with National Women’s History Month, ten women will be acknowledged for being fearless, courageous, and relentless when it comes to advocating women’s rights and social justice. Since 2007, the International Women of Courage Award is the Department of State’s only award recognizing women leaders around the world. A ceremony will be held on March 10 when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presents the awards to the honorees.

The women hail from many different countries, all struggling with rampant humanitarian injustices. “These ten women have overcome personal adversity, threats, arrest, and assault to dedicate themselves to activism for human rights,” said Melanne Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues in a press release. “From striving to give more voice to politically underrepresented women in Afghanistan to documenting human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, these heroic individuals have made it their life’s work to increase freedom and equality in the world.”

One of the honorees, Jestina Mukoko, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) and broadcaster for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, is determined to accurately document the human rights abuses in her country and expose them to the international community. The ZPP reports include violence against women and politically-biased food distribution. During the deep political turmoil of the 2008 election, Mukoko was arrested, tortured, and forced to confess to an alleged terrorist plot. As her case became well-known, villagers concerned themselves with the status of Mukoko’s situation. She has brought much awareness to the injustices flourishing in the country. Her case is a huge marker in the fight against violence and government oppression. She bravely leads the way in defending human rights in one of the world’s most oppressive countries.

Tonic: Why do you feel it is important to document human rights abuses in your country?

Mukoko: At some stage in the future people will be called to account for their actions. The victims and the perpetrators will have an opportunity to deal with it in their conscience.

Tonic: After your arrest, how did you find the strength to continue to stand up for what you believe in?

Mukoko: When that happened it was a harrowing experience and when I found out about the networks and campaigns on my side, I realized there is a story. Going through that made me understand what it means to be abducted, what it means to be imprisoned for what you did not do. I met a lot of people in a similar situation and I began to understand how it helps to talk to someone else, and how talking can help other people.

The Definition of Courage

“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”- Maya Angelou

Webster’s defines courage as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. How come some people seem born to exemplify courageousness in the most powerful sense of the word, while others become more cautious and fearful in the face of adversity?

Tonic: Do you believe some people are naturally more courageous than others or is it a learned trait for everyone?

Mukoko: I believe it is something that happens because we are working with other people. We could not be courageous without other courageous people around us. I am humbled because I work through a network of very courageous people.

Tonic: What motivates you to get out of bed each morning to face another day?

Mukoko: A few years back I was taking care of my growing son, when his father died. I prayed, “Lord, keep me so I can look after this young man.” At 19, he is now beginning to do his own work and there is still a lot happening in my country. I am able to contribute and it will make a difference one day.

Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, and this year happens to be the 30^th anniversary. The theme for 2010 is “Writing Women Back into History.” So often our history books revolve around accomplishments by men. The National Women’s History Project began in the 80s when a mere 3 percent of the text in school books made note of women’s accomplishments, and completely neglected the strides made by minority women or those in male-dominated fields such as math and science.

Fortunately, women have come a long way. The role of the female is being recognized as a vital part in growing a nation’s economy and communities. A recent report by Deloitte and Forbes Insights shows how women are slowly, but surely, becoming more prominent in government, and, therefore, influencing more active female roles in the private sector. In the report, Ambassador Amina Chawahir Mohamed of Kenya said, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. If you educate a women, you educate a community.”

Tonic: Has there been a woman, from the past or present, who has inspired you?

Mukoko: My mother has given me inspiration. My father died when I was 5 and my mother was able to mold me into the woman I am today. I hope the Lord can give her many more days.

Tonic: Your work will have an effect lasting much longer than our lifetime. What would you say to encourage other women to fight tirelessly for what they believe in?

Where I come from that is not easy. It means putting your life at risk. You have to believe there will be a realization in the future that what you are fighting for will be recognized and respected. Do not compromise what you believe in for anything.

The Other Award Recipients

The other award winners include: Shukria Asil (Afghanistan) who works to advance the government’s responsiveness to women; Colonel Shafiqa Quraishi (Afghanistan), Director of Gender, Human, and Child Rights, recruits women to work in the Ministry of the Interior and works to increase benefits to women in the workforce, such as childcare, health care, and security; Androula Henriques (Cyprus) fights the buying and selling of women in the sex trade, has developed an anti-trafficking network, and advocates for institutional change; Sonia Pierre (Dominican Republic) aims to end anti-Haitian discrimination; Shadi Sadr (Iran) advocates women’s legal rights and, as a lawyer herself, has successfully overturned the prosecution of many women sentenced to execution; Ann Njogu (Kenya) is a leader in Kenya’s constitutional reform and collected data used to launch an investigation into government corruption; Dr. Lee Ae-Ran (Republic of Korea) advocates for human rights in North Korea and provides aid to North Korean refugees; Jansila Majeed (Sri Lanka) focuses on minority and women’s rights as well as those of internally displaced persons; Sister Marie Claude Naddaf (Syria) is working to advance social services for women, especially those in the face of domestic violence, homelessness, or trafficking.

Thanks Tonic.