"Women and girls deserve the same rights and opportunities as their fathers, and brothers, and sons." - U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Clinton honored 10 women from around the world whose social, political, and humanitarian efforts have helped elevate the role of women in their societies.

"They, too, are working tirelessly for justice, for accountability, for freedom. And they are working tirelessly to improve the lives of women and girls." - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

The honorees:
Honorable Maryam Durani, Kandahar Provincial Council Member from Afghanistan

Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo from Brazil

Zin Mar Aung from Burma

Jineth Bedoya Lima from Colombia

Hana Elhebshi from Libya

Aneesa Ahmed from Maldives

Shad Begum from Pakistan

Samar Badawi from Saudi Arabia

Hawa Abdallah Mohammed Salih from Sudan

Safak Pavey from Turkey