On October 20, 2023, IANGEL celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a wonderful gathering of gender justice activists, attorneys, and supporters in the heart of San Francisco. Aptly themed “Powering Hope,” the gala featured two extraordinary trailblazers for gender equality — Rights & Leadership Awardee Zala Ahmad, and keynote speaker Ilyse Hogue, past president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
The evening began with a charming welcome by IANGEL board member Emily Charley, noting the shared joy of a live gathering, after three years of virtual galas. In a heartfelt address, IANGEL’s Founder Nancy Newman took the audience on an inspiring journey from her childhood, when she learned the power of daring to try and her later realization that when we do so, we are powering hope. The evening featured a special video of pictures and voices from inside Afghanistan, shared with IANGEL by Afghan women teachers. These brave women showed their grit in the face of unprecedented oppression, their determination to resist, and their gratitude for IANGEL’s unwavering support.
The Afghan video was an apt segue to IANGEL’s presentation of the 2023 Amel Zenoune-Zouani Rights & Leadership Award to Zala Ahmad, a dedicated gender equality advocate and the Founder of Safe Path Prosperity in Afghanistan. Introduced by IANGEL board members Jaime Touchstone and Mahwish Moazzam, Zala explained how to create opportunities and provide a source of hope, support, and education, for women inside Afghanistan, despite the ongoing crisis. Zala’s work is a reminder of the unwavering strength and resourcefulness of women activists around the world.
IANGEL’s Joyce Shanahan spotlighted IANGEL’s work in Afghanistan, supporting underground schools led by brave Afghan women, defying bans on girls’ education. She noted the huge value of this initiative, and reminded the guests of the profound impact donations have, both in sustaining these critical initiatives but also in conveying a message of solidarity to Afghan girls and women.
IANGEL Vice-President Rebecca Hooley introduced keynote speaker Ilyse Hogue, a fierce advocate for justice and a leader, innovator, and coalition builder across American and global progressive movements. IIyse shared a message of solidarity with the attendees and IANGEL’s mission, and concern about the future, while reinforcing the importance of powering hope with activism.
The evening also featured beautiful singing by the talented trio If a Tree Falls, reinforcing the power of music to bring people together. That power was evident when a group of Afghan women spontaneously took the stage to sing “Sarzamine Man” a moving song written in 1998 by Afghan poet Dawood Sarkosh, the lyrics of which are keenly relevant for Afghans now.
It was an emotional, informative, and inspiring evening. IANGEL warmly thanks its sponsors, featured in the program below, and all who attended and supported this event, to fuel our work.