Melania Trump honors global women leaders: ‘Courage is based in love’

U.S. 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 (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Melania Trump honored eight women from around the world with the 2025 International Women of Courage Award.

Recipients included an Israeli hostage, a Romanian disability advocate, and a "Mama Ranger" protecting Philippine reefs. Trump called courage "a strength that is based in love," marking her fifth time speaking at the annual event. WASHINGTON - Melania Trump made her first public appearance in Washington in nearly a month on Tuesday, honoring eight women from around the globe with the 2025 International Women of Courage Award.



The annual State Department ceremony was a familiar stage for the former first lady, who has now participated five times since her husband first took office. In her remarks, Trump called courage "a strength that is based in love," aligning her own life experiences with those of the honorees. "Love has inspired me to embrace forgiveness, nurture empathy and exhibit bravery in the face of unforeseen obstacles," she said.

What they're saying: Among the honorees was Israeli lawyer Amit Soussana, who was held captive by Hamas for 55 days following the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Soussana, who has publicly described being sexually assaulted during her captivity, issued a plea for the release of the remaining hostages.

"My friends remain in the dark...

still suffering, still waiting, still hoping," Soussana said. "I call on the world to act, to bring them home now — not tomorrow, not next week. Now.

" Trump also praised Romanian advocate Georgiana Pascu, who has fought to rescue people with disabilities from inhumane conditions in so-called care centers. "Georgiana is a ‘watchdog’ who defends the dignity of Romanians whose voices cannot be heard," Trump said, crediting her work with exposing human trafficking and organized crime. By the numbers: This year’s recipients represent a wide range of countries and causes: Henriette Da (Burkina Faso): Human rights advocate Major Velena Iga (Papua New Guinea): Fights gender-based violence and trafficking Angelique Songco (Philippines): "Mama Ranger" safeguarding Tubbataha Reefs Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit (South Sudan): Women’s rights leader Namini Wijedasa (Sri Lanka): Investigative journalist Amat Al-Salam Al-Hajj (Yemen): Advocate for abducted and detained Yemenis Georgiana Pascu (Romania): Disability rights champion Amit Soussana (Israel): Hostage survivor and legal advocate A group award named for the late Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also went to female student protest leaders in Bangladesh , recognized for their resistance to violent crackdowns in 2024.

Why you should care: The International Women of Courage Award, now in its 19th year, honors women who demonstrate exceptional bravery and leadership, often at great personal risk. More than 200 women from over 90 countries have received the award since its launch in 2007. Melania Trump’s participation underscores the ceremony’s bipartisan tradition — one that has continued under multiple administrations.

This year’s honorees add to a growing legacy of global changemakers recognized for standing up to injustice, extremism, and systemic oppression. The Source: This article is based on reporting from the Associated Press, published April 1, 2025 and official statements from the U.S.

State Department. This story was reported from Los Angeles..