00:00Today, we celebrate courage, a strength that is based in love.
00:08Georgiana is a watchdog who defends the dignity of Romanians whose voices cannot be heard.
00:18The 2025 International Women of Courage Award recipients came from diverse backgrounds and
00:26regions.
00:27Yet, love transcends boundaries and territories.
00:32It is a universal language.
00:35Throughout my life, I have harnessed the power of love as a source of strength during challenging
00:42times.
00:44Love has inspired me to embrace forgiveness, nurture empathy, and exhibit bravery in the
00:51face of unforeseen obstacles.
00:54Today, we celebrate courage, a strength that is based in love.
01:03This truth is illustrated through our honorees who prove that love can inspire extraordinary
01:10valor even in the face of vulnerability.
01:14Their remarkable stories are a testament to the power of love in practice for family,
01:22community, and our world.
01:25This is especially evident in places where their passion defies convention and where
01:32it has been shown at great personal risk of stigma, persecution, or harm.
01:41The courageous Georgiana Pescu, one of our award recipients, exemplifies love in action.
01:50Georgiana is a watchdog who defends the dignity of Romanians whose voices cannot be heard.
01:59She fearlessly enters facilities designated as care centers to rescue people with disabilities
02:07who are unwittingly held captive.
02:11In fact, Georgiana usually shows up unannounced and discovers the unimaginable, helpless adults
02:19and children bound, sedated, starving, and in extreme cases, dying.
02:28Thanks to Georgiana's brave work, dozens of offenders have been charged with human trafficking,
02:35exploitation, and even organized crime.
02:40We are honored to join an exceptional assembly of brave women who have shown their love and
02:45refuse to let fear or hardship define them.
02:49Their collective achievements and dedication move us all.
02:56Let us also take a moment to acknowledge those who persist in their struggles.
03:02For each of them, love serves as a powerful catalyst instilling in the profound sense
03:09of purpose in their endeavors.
03:13To the women who are driven to speak out for justice, even thought their voices are trembling.
03:20To the women who are motivated to rise up for their community when others remain indifferent.
03:29To the women who feel compelled to heal wounds caused by hatred and cherish peace.
03:37The 2025 International Women of Courage Award recipients came from diverse backgrounds
03:45and regions, yet love transcends boundaries and territories.
03:51It is a universal language.
03:54Their courage propels us of humanity forward by advocating to end violence against women
04:01and girls, promoting democratic governance, defending human rights, championing education,
04:09and fighting injustice.
04:12Through their efforts, they instigate progress for all of humanity.
04:18These extraordinary women eliminate the transformative power of love in shaping our world.
04:26Their journeys remind us that true courage is born from a deep commitment to others,
04:33showing that love fuels the call for justice.
04:38Through their brave actions, they inspire us to embrace our own potential for change,
04:46teaching us that while courage drives us forward, it is love that lays the groundwork for lasting impact.
04:56Let their stories motivate us to take courageous steps, knowing that each act of love can spark
05:03a ripple of transformation.
05:06Thank you, and thank you for being here today.
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