WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Vital Voices, one of the leading non-governmental organizations that trains and empowers women leaders in emerging democracies, will honor five remarkable international women leaders at its Global Leadership Awards on Thursday, March 19 at the Kennedy Center. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be recognized for her long-time commitment to empowering women around the world. Vital Voices began more than ten years ago as a government initiative led by Secretary Clinton as First Lady.

Award presenters include Ben Affleck, Maria Bello, Candice Bergen, Sally Field, Nicholas Kristof and Diane von Furstenberg.

The 2009 Global Leadership Award recipients are:

Somaly Mam of Cambodia, receiving the "Human Rights Award" for her work with victims of human trafficking and creation of the organization AFESIP, "Acting for Women in Distressing Circumstances." Founded in Cambodia in 1997, AFESIP has since expanded to Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

Temituokpe Esisi of Nigeria, receiving the "10,000 Women Unlocking Economic Potential Award" for entrepreneurial skills cultivated in her home city of Lagos. After earning her bachelor's degree in Law, Esisi established her own fashion design company and completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Scholarship program.

Marceline Kongolog-Bice of the Democratic Republic of Congo, receiving the "Fern Holland Award" for the creation of "SOS Femmes en Dangers," which works to heal and rehabilitate rape victims, educate women on their rights, provide defense tactics and give a voice to silenced victims.

Chouchou Namegabe Nabintu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, also receiving the "Fern Holland Award." Nabintu uses her broadcast journalism skills as a weapon against government corruption and injustices against women.

Sadiqa Basiri Saleem of Afghanistan, receiving the "Rising Voices Award" for the founding of the Oruj Learning Center which provides women an education they had been denied.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, receiving the "Global Trailblazer Award" for her long-time commitment to empowering women around the world.

What: Vital Voices' 2009 Global Leadership Awards Benefit

Where: Eisenhower Theater, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

When: March 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m. Awards Presentation

About Vital Voices: Vital Voices Global Partnership is one of the leading non-governmental organizations (NGO) that identifies, trains, mentors, and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world for us all. Vital Voices works with women defending human rights, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening government and civil society by equipping them with the capacity, connections, and credibility they need to unlock their potential. Our international staff and team of over 1,000 partners and pro-bono experts and leaders, including senior government, corporate and NGO executives, have trained and mentored more than 7,000 emerging women leaders from 127 countries in Asia, Africa, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East since 1997. These women have returned home to train and mentor more than 200,000 additional women and girls in their communities. Vital Voices was awarded the highest rating, four stars, from Charity Navigator, the leading independent evaluator of charitable organizations in the United States. A four star rating is awarded to charities that exceed industry standards and outperform other organizations in their cause.

Media Notes: For more information about the annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards benefit, or to request an interview with Vital Voices award honorees, contact Caroline DeHaan at 202.414.0791 or Corina Notyce at 202.414.0774. A media briefing will precede the benefit.

SOURCE Vital Voices Global Partnership

Caroline DeHaan, +1-202-414-0791, cdehaan@susandavis.com, or Corina Notyce, +1-202-414-0774, cnotyce@susandavis.com, both for Vital Voices Global Partnership