Apr 1, 2025 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Melania Trump honors "extraordinary" women at courage awards

Rebecca Falconer

first lady Melania Trump delivers remarks during the International Women of Courage Award ceremony in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters on April 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. — First lady Melania Trump presenting the International Women of Courage awards for a fifth time, in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

First lady Melania Trump honored eight women from around the world she said "instigate progress for all of humanity" at an awards ceremony with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday.

The big picture: "These extraordinary women illuminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world," she said at the 19th annual International Women of Courage awards ceremony, which the State Department says honors women "who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership — often at great personal risk and sacrifice."

First lady Melania Trump (L) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose with International Women of Courage Award recipient Amit Soussana of Israel during a ceremony in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters on April 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. — Trump (left) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) with International Women of Courage Award recipient Amit Soussana, an Israeli former hostage of Hamas, who was kidnapped during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, at the awards ceremony in the Ben Franklin Room. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A hostage of the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel, Amit Soussana (2nd L) is embraced by Global Women's Issues Senior Bureau Official Katrina "Kat" Fotovat. — Soussana is embraced by Global Women's Issues senior bureau official Katrina "Kat" Fotovat after Soussana, Henriette Da (center) and Romanian mental health advocate Georgiana Pascu all received their awards. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

First lady Melania Trump (L) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose with International Women of Courage Award recipient and human rights defender Henriette Da of Burkina Faso during a ceremony in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters on April 01. — Trump and Rubio with award recipient Da, a human rights defender from Burkina Faso. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

First lady Melania Trump (L) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose with International Women of Courage Award recipient Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj of Yemen during a ceremony in the Ben Franklin Room at the State Department's Harry S. Truman headquarters on April 01, 2025 in Washington, DC. — Trump and Rubio with award recipient Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj, a human rights advocate and founder and president of the Abductees' Mothers Association in Yemen. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Namini Wijedasa (C), journalist from Sri Lanka, is congratulated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and First Lady Melania Trump (L) during the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2025. — Trump and Rubio with Namini Wijedasa, a journalist from Sri Lanka. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Angelique Songco (C), Protected Area Superintendent of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, is congratulated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and First Lady Melania Trump (L) during the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2025. — Trump and Rubio with Angelique Songco, protected area superintendent of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a protected area of the Philippines located in the Sulu Sea. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (3rd L) arrive to host the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony as (C) looks on at the State Department in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2025. — Trump and Rubio (third from left) arrive to host the International Women of Courage awards ceremony. Photo: Brendan Smialowsi/AFP via Getty Images

Flashback: Melania Trump's rare public speech at the State Department

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In photos: Melania Trump honors "extraordinary" women at courage awards

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