At a time of deep global uncertainty marked by rising conflict, shrinking civic space, and increasing challenges to international law, the evening served as both a commemoration and a call to action. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), born from the aftermath of World War II, remains as urgent today as it was nearly eight decades ago: affirming that dignity, freedom, and equality belong to all people, everywhere.
Opening Reflections and a Land Acknowledgment
As guests gathered, the program began with a visual tribute recognizing the honorees, sponsors, and the UNA-NCA’s Human Rights Committee. Anne Simmons-Benton, Chair of UNA-NCA’s Board of Directors, welcomed attendees and reflected on the enduring relevance of the UDHR, reminding the audience that human rights are not sustained by declarations alone, but by people who give them life through everyday action.Chair Simmons-Benton also introduced UNA-NCA’s first formal land acknowledgment, recognizing the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands include Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, and acknowledging the historic injustices including displacement and slavery that continue to shape inequities today. The moment served as a powerful reflection of UNA-NCA’s commitment to accountability, truth, and justice.
President’s Remarks, Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Circle Sponsor and the UN Perspective
UNA-NCA President and CEO Paula Boland followed with welcoming remarks, emphasizing that human rights are “everyday essentials.” She noted that the right to speak without fear, to live without discrimination, to learn, to work, and to participate fully in society are not abstract ideals, but necessities that shape daily life. Human Rights Day, she said, is a moment to reflect on progress, recommit to shared values, and renew collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable.
President Boland recognized the generous support of UNFCU, this year’s Human Rights Awards Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Circle. 
Boland then introduced William Davis, Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Washington, DC, who delivered a message from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The statement highlighted the growing threats to civic space and human rights institutions worldwide, while reaffirming that human rights are inalienable, indivisible, and interdependent. It called on governments, civil society, and individuals alike to stand up for the institutions and norms that make human rights a lived reality.
2025 Human Rights Honorees
Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award
Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes at the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), received the Louis B. Sohn Human Rights Award, presented by Congressman Henry “Hank” Johnson Jr. (Georgia, 4th District). The award honored Sánchez-Garzoli for more than 25 years of unwavering human rights and anti-racism advocacy. Her work has amplified the voices of Afro-descendant, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, displaced, and marginalized communities across Latin America, bringing their lived realities directly into policy spaces in Washington and beyond.In remarks reflecting on the collective nature of the work, Sánchez-Garzoli emphasized that progress is built through coalitions, partnerships, and shared courage. She spoke candidly about the risks and moral complexity that human rights defenders face, while also pointing to moments of hope – when peace agreements are reached, justice is advanced, and lives are protected. Her message was clear: injustice may become normalized, but it must never be accepted. You can see a recent interview with the honoree here.
Perdita Huston Human Rights Award
The Perdita Huston Human Rights Award was presented by Ambassador Geeta Rao Gupta, co-founder and principal of the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice, and former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, to Sia Nowrojee in recognition of her lifelong commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Nowrojee serves as Associate Vice President, Girls & Women Strategy at the UN Foundation. Ambassador Gupta highlighted Nowrojee’s decades of leadership across reproductive health, economic opportunity, violence prevention, and community development – work guided by a moral north star rooted in dignity and justice. Nowrojee’s work has shaped policy, strengthened programs, and improved the lives of women and girls worldwide. Her career reflects a quiet yet formidable dedication to human rights, sustained over time through principled action.
Through a video recording, Nowrojee honored Perdita Huston’s legacy and credited women and girls – telling their stories and demanding their rights – as a constant source of inspiration. She emphasized that gender equality and human rights advocacy are one and the same and noted the role of feminists in advancing legal recognition that violence against women is a human rights violation. Nowrojee also reflected on current headwinds facing international cooperation and women’s rights, calling for persistent, community-based action and gratitude for the people who sustain the work. In her absence, her mother accepted the award on her behalf.
F. Allen “Tex” Harris Human Rights Diplomacy Award
The F. Allen “Tex” Harris Human Rights Diplomacy Award recognized Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First, for distinguished leadership advancing human rights through diplomacy and international engagement.Introducing the award, Simmons-Benton shared a personal reflection on meeting “Tex” Harris early in her career and described his rare kindness and conviction – qualities that helped shape her understanding of what principled public service can look like. She then acknowledged Tex Harris’ children Julie and Scott Harris in the audience, and welcomed Scott Busby, Senior Advisor at Human Rights First and a former recipient of the Tex Harris Award, to present the honor.
Busby reflected on Zeya’s decades of people-centered diplomacy and her consistent commitment to justice, inclusion, and the inherent worth of every human being. In her acceptance remarks, Zeya described an “existential crossroads” for human rights and democracy and urged renewed bipartisan commitment to human rights leadership. She emphasized that defending rights is not abstract but tied to everyday security and well-being, calling for sustained support for civil society, principled diplomacy, and protection for refugees and asylum seekers.
Emerging Human Rights Leader Award
The Emerging Human Rights Leader Award honored Oscar Lopez III, the 13th U.S. Youth Observer to the United Nations, for elevating youth voices within global governance spaces.
Lopez was introduced through a recorded video message by Abby Finkenauer, co-founder and principal of the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice and former U.S. Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues. Finkenauer praised Lopez’s leadership, integrity, and humility, describing him as a young leader who does not simply seek a seat at the table—but works to reshape the table itself.
Community Human Rights Award
The Community Human Rights Award was presented to Volare, honoring its survivor-centered advocacy and commitment to justice for survivors of sexual violence. Patrice (Amanda) Sultan—Executive Director of the Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU Law and a Volare board member presented the award and highlighted Volare’s focus on dignity, community power, and trauma-responsive support.In accepting the award, Volare’s founder Bridgette Stumpf emphasized resilience as a human rights framework – not simply “bouncing back,” but the collective capacity to hope through suffering and to fight injustice. They described Volare’s trauma-response work as human rights work at the local level, supporting survivors through crisis navigation, safety planning, and long-term pathways to stability and self-determination. Speakers also recognized Volare’s broader efforts to build trauma-responsive ecosystems through education and community engagement and thanked the thousands of survivors who have trusted the organization for support.
A Shared Commitment to Human Dignity
Throughout the evening, speakers returned to a common truth: human rights endure only when people choose to defend them. In honoring this year’s awardees, UNA-NCA reaffirmed its mission to connect global principles with local action and to cultivate leadership grounded in courage, compassion, and accountability.Simmons-Benton closed the ceremony by inviting attendees to continue the conversation beyond the program, encouraging participants to share ideas, take tangible steps in their communities, and engage with UNA-NCA’s multigenerational work. She also thanked families and guests for bringing a spirit of togetherness to the event.
To conclude, Alex Remmel, Chair of UNA-NCA’s Human Rights Committee, offered final reflections and gratitude to the awardees, attendees, staff, and volunteers whose efforts made the annual ceremony possible. He invited guests to enjoy refreshments, connect with new faces, and participate in the evening’s silent auction.
UNA-NCA extends its sincere gratitude to the United Nations Foundation, UNA-USA, and all sponsors and partners whose generous support made the 2025 Human Rights Awards possible. Their commitment strengthens UNA-NCA’s work to advance the values of the United Nations across the National Capital Area and beyond.
As the ceremony concluded, attendees gathered in reflection and conversation, reminded that human rights are not preserved by ceremony alone, but by everyday choices: to listen, to speak up, and to stand with those whose dignity is most at risk.
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