AWiB Women of Excellence Gala Dinner 2014 Event

As Ethiopian women, we don’t always take the time to celebrate each other’s journeys toward becoming Women of Excellence (WOE). However, this has been the culture of AWiB for the past three years, where we shine a spotlight on the nominees and their accomplishments. This year, AWiB received 21 nominations, conducted interviews with 12 candidates, and ultimately selected seven winners.

AWiB’s Women of Excellence program honors the significant achievements of women in their careers, businesses, and communities. The seven selected nominees exemplify vision, courage, compassion, proven success, and generosity—qualities reflected in their commitment to helping other women succeed. AWiB's board conducted thorough research based on established criteria to shortlist these nominees for the final selection, who were celebrated at a gala dinner.

The women chosen for this year’s celebration embody excellence in their respective fields and actively contribute to meaningful changes in their communities, societies, countries, and the continent as a whole.

I noticed the stride and pride of the seven women of excellence who were carefully selected by the board of AWiB, as they arrived one after another at Kaleb Hotel for their refreshment drinks, and a walk through of the evening from me as their chaperon for the WOE. Some recognized each other and embraced one another, while others meet for the first time. Looking around me, I was in awe of the years of experience that was amongst these dynamic women that exemplified humility, as well as grace. Impeccably dressed with their colorful traditional Ethiopian attire, they sat around drinking their afternoon beverage, sharing stories, posing for a picture or two, and humbly experiencing their surprise of such recognition bestowed upon them by AWiB. Even more spectacular to watch was the attention they demanded as they walked towards the limousine that was assigned for them, in downtown Addis. As one of the WOE shared with me, she felt that she was a bride again, with all the glamour, surprise and joy.

Upon arriving at the Sheraton, AWiB’s photographers, cameramen, board members, and members warmly welcomed the guests with chanting and applause. This set the tone for a night filled with celebration, joy, and harmony—an atmosphere that only women united for a shared cause can create. It was delightful to see AWiB’s guests surrounded by well-wishers as they posed for photos, chatted with admirers, and greeted family and friends before entering the Sheraton ballroom. There, they were honored as the guests of the evening, basking in the spotlight.

AWIB's board members were seen escorting guests to their designated seats as they eagerly anticipated the timely and efficient start of the evening. Since this was a one-of-a-kind gala event, all tables had been assigned in advance. Business cards were collected for the evening's draw, while our Mistress of Ceremony, Munit Mesfin, captured the attention of nearly 500 guests as she welcomed them to the stage.

The dimly lit stage featured a grand piano, a space for a St. Yared painting to be auctioned, and seating for the WOE, all setting the tone for a memorable evening ahead. Before the President of AWIB, Seble, delivered her welcoming speech, guests were shown AWIB’s documentary on screens positioned around Sheraton’s ballroom. As the documentary played, there was a noticeable shift in the energy of the room, creating an atmosphere of respect and anticipation for the spectacular evening to come.

The President, seizing this opportunity affirmed this by the applause that followed when asking how the guests were doing that evening. Seble, then, went to introduce the WOE one by one and thanked them for their presence and phenomenal work as well as appreciating the high standard they set for all of us. She further called upon all board members of 2014 to come forward and take a bow, as well as thanking all the partners and those organizations and individuals that assist AWiB to be memorable, inspiring and as excellent as it is every year. She reiterated the fact that for anyone that is serious about leading one’s life with passion and commitment, AWiB is the right place for them. With that, Jorga Mesfin, an accomplished pianist, started to play classical music on the grand piano as Sheraton staff served the three course gala dinner.

Looking around one can sense that gala dinner is not something that most Ethiopians are familiar with, as one has to sit down and mingle with those that are assigned on your table. Gradually the introductions, smiles as well as appreciation of the ambiance set by AWIB can be heard from the guests, as well as the clicking of knives & forks. As dessert was being served, the keynote speaker, Dr. Catherine Hamlin, honorary citizen of Ethiopia, founder and owner of the Fitsula Hospital approached the stage and passionately gave us a glimpse into the phenomenal work she has committed her life to, saving the lives of Women that were suffering from fistula, as well as treating and curing 35,000 women. Dr. Catherine shared the amazing work the fistula hospital has been doing which has now grown to five hospitals around Ethiopia, also having just graduated the first 24 midwives that have been trained for four years in the midwifery School. Dr. Catherine in her usual soft-spoken manner, even at the age of 90, pleaded to all of us to see her vision of eradicating preventable fistula in Ethiopia. It took AWiB’s guest a few seconds to realize Dr. Catherine had finished, as they gave her the longest standing ovation I have witnessed.

Then followed the auctioning of St. Yared painting, which was sold for 70k birr to Ato Tadesse Tilahun CEO of NOC, with the evening MC Munit doing a grand job for her first live auction. Our musician of the evening Tsedenia Gebremarkos transitioned us to the rest of the WOE evening with one of Alicia Keys song “Super Women,” accompanied on piano by Jorga.

 
As the evening made its way to the unveiling of the WOE, one of the founders of AWIB Nahu Senay Girma took on the stage to introduce and give a gift to the creative machine, as well as the editor behind “Temslat” (that document and shared the stories of 64 accomplished Ethiopian Women) Mary-Jane Wagle. Mary then thanked all those involved in making the book a success including the Network of Women Association, AAU interns and all the women that shared their stories, out of which some were celebrated at the WOE. The anticipation of the stories of the WOE was at its highest as one of AWIB’s youngest yet dynamic board member and lawyer by profession Blen Sahlu took on the stage. With her carefree persona, and piercing vocabulary shared her story of what AWiB meant to her, and how the experiences have enriched her life. With that she explained the process of choosing the WOE following the call for nomination of WOE. Blen introduced all seven WOE by name, and guided the guests to the individual documentary of each Women.

Bogalech Gebre – The Women Who Restores Womenhood
Frealem Shebabaw – The Women Who Changes Problems to Opportunities
Dr. Lia Tadesse – The Women Who Improves the Health Care Delivery System
Rahel Mekuria – The Women Who Pioneered TV Broadcasting Education
Ambassador Tadelech Hailemikael - The Women Who Institutionalized Top Women’s Leadership.
Tirhas Mezgebe – The Women Who is Invested in No Women Dies While Giving Birth.
Zemi Yenus – The Women Who Instills an Attitude of Concern for Others

As I looked around the room when the documentary was being screened, you can hear a pin drop, as the guest were taking in the stories of the phenomenal women who were nominated to represent AWiB’s WOE 2014. Some were in tears, some clearing their throats, some dreaming, others inspired, this was almost the climax of the evening. Although the room was full of other phenomenal women, those that were put on stage, with the spotlight on them were alleviated to the status of the few pioneers that dared to act upon their vision.

As the seven WOE went on stage to wrap up the evening with question and answer as well as to declare the WOE 2014 by the designated judges, Metti, a journalist on 105.3 Afro FM, asked a thought provoking question,
“What keeps you going, to do the amazing work that you are doing?”

Each Women boldly gave their answer with conviction,

After an applause from the guests, Meaza Ashenafi, the representative of the judges that were to pick one Women who would take the title of the 2014 WOE and be given the 100, 000 birr to give to a charity of her choice, took on the stage. Meaza mentioned her awe in being introduced to AWiB’s WOE selection process, and the hard task of being a judge to choose amongst these seven phenomenal WOE. She then asked all her fellow judges to stand and take a bow, which included Tsedey Worku, Tigist Abate, Sara Mohamed, and Dr. Emebet. With that Meaza named the WOE 2014 to be Tirhas Mezgebu. As her name was being called, seeing all the WOE, and spending time with her earlier, the humble and quiet Tirhas did not quiet expect her name to be called. She held her hands over her face in shock, given a sigh and a cry.

Every year that I have attended AWiB’s WOE celebration since its inception, every WOE chosen to represent that year is not just a surprise to the person chosen but to everyone there. As Tirhas made her speech choking, she brought everyone to tears when she said,

“My work in the forest was between God & me, never did I imagine to be on stage amongst such amazing people to be named WOE 2014.”

As guests moved towards the WOE on stage to congratulate all the celebrated women, take pictures, give flowers and embrace each other, I couldn’t help but wondered....
“Could the next prime minister or president of Ethiopia be amongst us women, in this room?”

Published @AWIB
http://www.awib.org.et/events/event-recap/item/647-awib-women-of-excellence-gala-dinner-2014.html
Photography courtesy of ABI Photography


By Dutchess @Deldeyoch