Friday, March 10, 2017 – New York City – Today UN Women for Peace Association’s annual awards luncheon was held at the UN Nations Headquarters in the Delegates Dining Room in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Guests included: President of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Peter Thomson and his wife Marijcke Thomson, Martha Stewart, Debra Messing, Cate Blanchett, Miss Universe (Iris Mittenaere) and Miss USA (Deshauna Barber). Sana H. Sabbagh served as the Luncheon Chair. Artist Anne De Carbuccia unveiled ‘Women’s Time Shine’; all this was in celebration of International Women’s Day.

As has become the tradition, UN Women for Peace Association’s Chair Muna Rihani Al-Nasser and President Barbara Winston presented the awards during the ceremony. Each year, UN Women for Peace Association honors individuals who have made a difference in the lives of women and girls.

The 2017 honorees are:

Mrs. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Executive Director, UN Women) introduced by The President of the UN General Assembly, Peter Thomson, the Executive Director is receiving the Women Empowerment Award.

FOX 5 NYC reporter Teresa Priola introduced Loreen Arbus (Loreen Arbus and The Loreen Arbus Foundation/The Goldenson-Arbus Foundation) who is receiving the Achievement Award.

UNWFPA’s Vice President Rema DuPont introduced David Batstone (President & Co-Founder, Not For Sale) with the Peace Award.

Cate Blanchett introduced her friend Deborra-Lee Furness (Co-Founder, HOPELAND) with the Leadership Award. “This extraordinary woman is a brilliant strategist, a natural bringer together of people and ideas, a problem solver, a do-er, and the most indefatigable optimist I’ve ever met. We need such optimism now, more than ever,” said Ms. Blanchett. “Where others would have long given up – deterred by legal loopholes, prejudice, fear and social and governmental inertia – this firebrand only strengthens her resolve, doubles her numbers and presses on – until she breaks through.” Deborra- Lee facetimed with her husband, Hugh Jackman, while receiving the award. She told the entire room to say hi to him while he is off filming.

Debra Messing introduced Dayle Haddon (Founder & CEO, WomenOne) who is received the Humanitarian Award.

Lin-Manuel Miranda received the Philanthropy Award. Miranda was not able able to attend the event; his mother Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda accepted the award on her son’s behalf.

UNWFPA’S Chairman, Muna Rihani Al-Nasser, declared, “UN WOMEN FOR PEACE ASSOCIATION’S aim is the  empowerment of the women and the elimination of violence against women and girls. It is estimated that as many as 2.5 million people are trafficked annually into situations including prostitution, forced labor, slavery or servitude; women and girls account for about 80% of the detected victims.”

Luncheon guests were the first to see artist Anne De Carbuccia’s art installation ‘Women’s Time Shine.’ The shine was created in celebration of International Women Day.

Artist Anne De Carbuccia said, “Today, gender-based violence in the world kills and disables as many women aged 15 to 44 as cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined. In celebration of International Women’s day and to honor women’s rights and empowerment around the world, I will be creating an Art Installation that will rise on March 10 at the United Nations on the terrace of the Delegates Dining Room. After UN Women For Peace Association’s Luncheon, I will dismantle the installation to recreate it permanently inside the empty fountain, made of black and white stones handpicked by Greek woman, based in front of the Secretariat building. Once completed, the artist will photograph her work.”