WASHINGTON - Melania Trump honored a group of women from around the world whom the State Department has recognized for acts of courage in their countries Wednesday.
A dozen women from Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, an autonomous prefecture in China, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen and Zimbabwe received the 2020 International Women of Courage Award on Wednesday from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
One recipient was imprisoned in Syria and now helps families of forcibly disappeared Syrians. Another is the mayor of Maidan Shar, a town in Afghanistan's conservative Wardak province, who has faced death threats and angry male mobs. Other recipients are journalists and human rights advocates.
Mrs. Trump noted that Wednesday was her fourth year attending the the annual State Department ceremony. She said she is inspired by the personal stories of each of the women. "These are the faces of true heroism," she said.
International Women's Day is Sunday.