In order to commemorate International Women’s Day, US Embassy gave Women of Change Awards on March 6, 2013 to five Indonesian women due to their contribution in bringing impact towards their surrounding. This event was held at @America, Pacific Place, and attended by US Ambassador Mr. Scott Marciel, the award recipients, and invited guests.
Each of the five winners represented a different area of cooperation under the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, which include: democracy and civil society, trade and investment, climate change and environment, security, and education. One of the award recipients is Founder/CEO YCAB Foundation Veronica Colondam for her role in fighting against drugs and educating underprivileged and school drop-out children.
From left to right: Dinny Jusuf, who employs microfinance to help artisans create and sell their products overseas; activist and social entrepreneur Veronica Colondam was honored for her decade-long work teaching Indonesian youth about HIV awareness and drug abuse throughout Indonesia; US Ambassador Mr. Scott Marciel; Major Ratih Pusparini, who faces constant personal physical risk in her role as a female military officer serving in Lebanon under the UN Interim Force; engineer Tri Mumpuni who has fought to bring electricity to rural Indonesia using renewable sources rather than fossil fuels; and Baihajar Tualeka, an activist from Ambon who works to improve the lives of refugees in a post-conflict environment.
Founder/CEO YCAB Foundation Veronica Colondam to receive Women of Change Award from US Ambassador Mr. Scott Marciel for her contribution towards HIV awareness and drug abuse, as well as improved education for underprivileged children.
At the end, Lola Amaria read excerpts from “Letters from Kartini”, a collection of letters written by revered Indonesian heroines and pioneers in the field of Indonesian women’s rights.