AALEAD students attend Vital Voices event at the Kennedy Center!

On Thursday, March 19th, AALEAD students were invited to a Vital Voices Global Leadership Award Ceremony. It was an inspiring night for all to hear powerful stories from women who had turned their adversities into opportunities to help others.

The event took place in Washington DC's John F. Kennedy Center and drew celebrity presenters such as Maria Bello, Sally Field, Candice Bergen, Diane von Firstenberg, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nicholas Krstof, Maggie Grace, Ben Affleck and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The benefit honored courageous women leaders who have overcome poverty, human trafficking, violence against women and other forms of discrimination to promote positive change in their communities. Receiving the Global Trailblazer award was special guest Hillary Rodham Clinton.



One of our students reactions to the event:
"The vital Voices Award Ceremony was one of the most if not THE most inspirational and up-lifting events that I have attended in my whole life. Those were some women and I have so much respect and support for them, because of the powerful things they do in their everyday lives. I want to thank Vital Voices for inviting us and I would love to go again next year!"
-Farida Uddin, Einstein High School

After the event, HongQian Zhou, a senior at Wilson High School was interviewed for her reaction. As she walked through the reception, she had the chance to take a photo with actress Maggie Grace!