the award
PERDITA HUSTON (1936-2001), author and journalist, was committed to giving voice to women in developing countries. She focused her writing on the often-overlooked role of rural women. She recognized their struggle to survive, care for their familie s, and maintain their individuality in lives swept by change.Through her writing and activism, Ms. Huston demonstrated a life-long commitment to improving the status of women everywhere.
Within hours of her death, the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area decided to establish the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award to celebrate Perdita Huston and to recognize the life and work of others who are outstanding advocates for women's rights in the Third World.
board of directors
- Francoise Champey, family representative
- Paula Boland, Executive Director, UNA-NCA
- Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA
- Gloria Steinem, Founder of Ms. Magazine
- Page Wilson, UNA-NCA representative to the Committee
frequently asked questions
- Who is eligible?
- How does the nomination process work?
- When and where are the nomination materials due?
- What are the criteria for selection?
- Who decides the winners?
Who is eligible?
All women and men are eligible whose work continues "Perdita Huston's work of reaching out to women of the Third World, giving them a voice and empowering them." (From the UNA-NCA Board resolution establishing the Award.)
"She saw a pattern in women's lives in the different countries where she lived [and worked], a pattern of hard work, striving, success against odds. She saw that women in all countries, but especially poor women, were engaged in a quiet struggle, often for life itself. She saw the obstacles placed in their way and she saw how every day women would calmly go over, round or through whatever was in the path. The obstacles were enormous, but women's determination was more powerful."
Thoraya Obaid,
Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
How does the nomination process work?
Anyone may nominate an individual whose life and work reflect the vision, compassion and commitment of the life and work of Perdita Huston and whose work continues the advocacy for, and empowerment of women. Self-nominations are encouraged. The Selection Committee will notify semi-finalists by early March 2005. Not all submissions will receive notice at that time. The Awardee and nine finalists will receive notice in early April, 2005. The ten finalists will receive recognition of their achievements on the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award website. All nominations must be submitted on the nomination form and must include the following information:
- Nominee's name, address, telephone number, e-mail and place of work.
- Nominator's name, address, telephone number and e-mail.
- A description (not to exceed 3 pages) of the life and work of the nominee, the impact of the nominee's activities and the reasons why the nominee should be recognized with the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award.
- The nomination form with no more than two additional typed, pages supporting the nomination statement. A maximum of two additional supporting items may include press clippings, pamphlets and/or photographs. All nomination materials may be used for publication and will not be returned.
When and where are the nomination materials due?
Nominations must be received in the Office of the Secretariat of the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award no later than February 15th, 2007. Nominations can be sent electronically to contact@perditahustonaward.com, or mailed to:
PERDITA HUSTON HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
c/o UNA-NCA
2000 P Street, N.W. Suite 630
Washington, DC 20036
(p) 202-223-6092 (f) 202-223-6096
What are the criteria for selection?
The UN Association of the National Capital Area has empowered a Selection Committee to publicize the Award, establish criteria and select the Awardees. The Selection Committee will base its decision on the nominee's:
- vision and efforts to empower Third World women and
- her/his accomplishments that raise awareness or have a positive impact on the lives of women and their families.
Nominees can be journalists, writers, students, activists, political or organization leaders, community workers, in fact, nominees can be anyone who shares Perdita Huston's commitment and ability to give voice to the women of the Third World and who believe as she did that women in developing countries have the same dreams as everyone else. Perdita Huston's work was grounded in this understanding:
"Despite the variety of their cultural settings, the women I interviewed expressed similar, simple perceptions of a 'good life' and of personal dignity: they want healthy, educated children, respect for their efforts to serve and raise the family, and the understanding and encouragement of their husbands. They want a chance to learn, to participate, and to 'keep with the times', to help others, to improve their lives and the lives of those around them."
Perdita Huston
Who decides the winners?
The Selection Committee current members are:
- Francoise Champey, Perdita Huston's daughter
- Pierre-Marc Diennet, Perdita Huston's son and the family representative to the Committee
- Gloria Steinem, Founder of Ms. Magazine and close friend
- Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA and close friend
- Page Wilson, UNA-NCA representative to the Committee
