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The Women of Impact Award celebrates the remarkable achievements of trailblazing women leaders who are making a difference in areas like government, diplomacy, society, and politics to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. This award recognizes the pivotal role that women play in leadership and builds upon the Center's rich history of empowering women and addressing gender equality issues.
Established by the East-West Center Board of Governors in 2022, the award is presented to women leaders who have made outstanding accomplishments in their fields; significant contributions to advancing relations and understanding among the people of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States; and provided continuing support for the mission and vision of the Center.
2023 Award
On October 20, 2023, the East-West Center honored civil rights champion Dr. Amefil “Amy” Agbayani with the 2023 Women of Impact Award for her lifetime of working for a more equitable and inclusive society—most recently as a member of the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Dr. Agbayani came to Hawai‘i in 1964 on an East-West Center fellowship and earned her doctoral degree at UH Mānoa. After receiving her PhD in political science, she successfully established programs that promote multi-culturalism, civil rights, and improving the status of Filipinos and other underrepresented groups at the University of Hawai‘i.
Watch the 2023 ceremony and panel discussion:
2022 Award
The inaugural Women of Impact Award was presented to US Senator Mazie Hirono for her for her bravery and commitment to Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and the US. Senator Hirono received the award at a reception which also featured EWC Board of Governors members Ambassador Kelly Currie, Caroline Casagrande, and Marshall Islands Senator Hilda Heine. EWC PROJECT Governance fellow Alice Arroyo from Papua New Guinea also shared her and her nation's story of overcoming gender barriers.
Learn more about Senator Hirono and why she was chosen for this award:
Pictures from the ceremony:
The Women of Impact Award celebrates the remarkable achievements of trailblazing women leaders who are making a difference in areas like government, diplomacy, society, and politics to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. This award recognizes the pivotal role that women play in leadership and builds upon the Center's rich history of empowering women and addressing gender equality issues.
Established by the East-West Center Board of Governors in 2022, the award is presented to women leaders who have made outstanding accomplishments in their fields; significant contributions to advancing relations and understanding among the people of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States; and provided continuing support for the mission and vision of the Center.
2023 Award
On October 20, 2023, the East-West Center honored civil rights champion Dr. Amefil “Amy” Agbayani with the 2023 Women of Impact Award for her lifetime of working for a more equitable and inclusive society—most recently as a member of the White House Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Dr. Agbayani came to Hawai‘i in 1964 on an East-West Center fellowship and earned her doctoral degree at UH Mānoa. After receiving her PhD in political science, she successfully established programs that promote multi-culturalism, civil rights, and improving the status of Filipinos and other underrepresented groups at the University of Hawai‘i.
Watch the 2023 ceremony and panel discussion:
2022 Award
The inaugural Women of Impact Award was presented to US Senator Mazie Hirono for her for her bravery and commitment to Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, and the US. Senator Hirono received the award at a reception which also featured EWC Board of Governors members Ambassador Kelly Currie, Caroline Casagrande, and Marshall Islands Senator Hilda Heine. EWC PROJECT Governance fellow Alice Arroyo from Papua New Guinea also shared her and her nation's story of overcoming gender barriers.
Learn more about Senator Hirono and why she was chosen for this award:
Pictures from the ceremony: