Washington, D.C. – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD), Co-Chairs of the Afghan Women’s Task Force, received the “Internationalism Award” from the American Women for International Understanding (AWIU) last night.  The Congresswomen were honored for their exceptional leadership on behalf of Afghan women, and received the award at AWIU’s “International Women of Courage” celebration.

“I am honored to share this award with my friend, Donna Edwards, and I deeply appreciate AWIU’s leadership in the fight for women’s rights,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “The cause of Afghan women is very close to my heart, and my commitment has been emboldened tonight.” 

The “Internationalism Award” award is presented to individuals who have addressed concerns facing women worldwide.  According to AWIU, recipients have exhibited international support for women’s issues and contributed to world understanding, raised awareness of global concerns and fostered cross-cultural dialogue.  Reps. McMorris Rodgers and Edwards co-founded the bipartisan Afghan Women’s Task Force in June 2011.  The organization is dedicated to the advancement of women’s rights in Afghanistan and the promotion of mentoring programs for Afghanistan’s female elected officials and business leaders.

“We in America must continue to speak for those who – as recently as a decade ago – could not speak for themselves,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers last night.  “We must continue to act preemptively and intelligently so this fragile moment of women’s rights and women’s opportunity in Afghanistan is not lost forever.  And we must stand united – as women, for women – to ensure that the twenty-first century is a century of women’s rights for women all around the world.”

To learn more about the Afghan Women’s Task Force, visit its Facebook page here.  To learn more about American Women for International Understanding (AWIU), visit their website here.