Tripoli, 8 March:
Libyan Architect Hana El-Hebshi is one of the ten winners US State Department 2012 International Women of Courage Award.
Ms. . . .[restrict]El-Hebshi has been honored for portraying courage and bravery in fighting for the cause of freedom of expression during the Libyan revolution. She was presented her award today in Washington the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and the First Lady, Ms. Michelle Obama.
Secretary Clinton said all ten women has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women and girls despite sometimes having to endure imprisonment and abuse. Mrs. Obama praised them for refusing to accept the world as it is, and instead fighting to remake the world “as they know it should be”.
Ms. El-Hebshi has been also offered a ten-day workshop on women’s leadership and will have the chance to visit five cities in the US.
During the Libyan revolution and operating under the name “Numidia”, El-Henshi helped tell the world of the violence and tumult of the revolution and the realities of living under the Qadddafi regime, despite grave personal risk. She became a symbol of solidarity and a model of courage to many in Libya.
Numidia was the name of the ancient Berber or Amazigh kingdom in North Africa and was chosen because of her own Amazigh heritage. [/restrict]
