Bianka Zalewska becomes first Polish woman to win International Women of Courage

A media note regarding this year's International Women of Courage award winners was published on Monday afternoon at the United States Department of State website.

Bianka Zalewska accepted the award at the White House on Thursday (March 9). The accolade was presented by the Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the First Lady Jill Biden.

"For 17 years now, U.S. secretaries of state have recognized International Women of Courage who are leading the charge for progress around the world. This year, for the first time, we honor the awardees here at the White House – and that really is a reflection of just how highly President Biden, the First Lady, and this administration prioritize gender equality and human rights," Blinken said.

"Today, we're here to tell girls everywhere the truth that they need to hear: Yes, you matter. Yes, you can make a difference," Jill Biden said.

"That's why we wanted to bring the leaders we're honoring today, and the stories that they share, to the biggest stage we could: The White House," the First Lady added.

At the ceremony, Zalewska was introduced by the White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre. "While Polish journalist Bianka Zalewska was combating Russian misinformation in 2014, her car was shot, causing accident that broke her spine. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, and in the face of intimidation and death threats, she continues her work documenting war crimes, lifting up stories of refugees, and training other journalists to effectively counter misinformation," the spokesperson said.

Ten other women were also awarded this year, including a famous Ukrainian medic and volunteer worker Yuliia Paievska. Furthermore, this year's Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award went to the Women and Girl Protestors of Iran.

"Bianka Zalewska is a Polish humanitarian and journalist who has selflessly documented Russian aggression in Ukraine since 2014 and advocated for the people of Ukraine for more than a decade. She persevered through life-threatening injuries suffered when her press car came under fire from Russian proxy forces in Luhansk Oblast in 2014. She persists in the face of disinformation campaigns and online threats personally aimed at her and her family and the risks of violence and injury during her frequent work inside Ukraine," the U.S. Department of State said at its website.

"In the face of ever-present threats, Mrs. Zalewska remains unintimidated and continues to welcome refugees from Ukraine, bring to light Russian atrocities, report truthfully and responsibly from the frontlines, and personally deliver aid inside Ukraine," it was added.

The Embassy of Poland in the United States said the following in a tweet: "Big day for Poland at the White House. Polish journalist Bianka Zalewska received an International Women of Courage Award from the First Lady of the United States Jill Biden and State Secretary Antony Blinken".

"Thank you, Mrs. Zalewska, for your relentless efforts in documenting Russian aggression in Ukraine," the embassy added.

The Department of State said at its website that "the Secretary of State’s IWOC Award recognizes women from around the globe who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality, and the empowerment of women and girls, in all their diversity – often at great personal risk and sacrifice".

"Since March 2007, the Department of State has recognized more than 180 women from more than 80 countries with the IWOC Award. U.S. diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials," we read.

Furthermore, "the awardees will participate in an in-person International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange to connect with American counterparts in cities across the United States and strengthen their global networks of women leaders".