The International Alliance for Women

04/15/2026

TIAW’s World of Difference Award recognizes extraordinary women, and men, whose efforts have advanced the economic empowerment of women locally, regionally, or globally. Nominations are now open for you to nominate someone for this award. Go to www.tiaw.org under Awards.

Nominations close 22 May 2026.

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

In a world where women are not always treated equally, their resilience and determination continue to shine. Women lead families, strengthen communities, and drive innovation every day. Economic empowerment is a powerful step toward true equality. When women have access to education, fair wages, opportunities to lead, and the ability to build businesses, entire communities thrive.

Today we celebrate the strength, talent, and contributions of women everywhere. By supporting women’s economic empowerment, we move closer to a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to succeed, lead, and shape the world around her. In celebration of International Women’s Day, The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) invites nominations of individuals who are making a meaningful impact in supporting economic empowerment for women.

Nominations now open through June 1, 2026 at www.tiaw.org under Awards.

02/18/2026

TIAW World of Difference Award NOMINATIONS will open on March 8th on International Women’s Day! Get ready to nominate someone who is doing something significant to economically empower women! ** www.tiaw.org **

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem is a nonprofit organization that collaborates and engages the community to create an equitable and inclusive community for women and girls in Forsyth County. It was founded in 2005 by 5 friends, Janie Wilson, Sarah Holthouser, Mary Jamis, Lynn Eisenberg and Michelle Cook. The mission is to engage the community to build economic security for women and girls. The nearly 700 members include individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and circumstances. Members believe all women and girls in Forsyth County should have equal opportunities and the skills and resources to be independent, self-sufficient, and contributing members of the community. The Fund has granted over $2.28 million to programs that directly benefit the women of Forsyth County. The organization focuses on 3 main areas – Grantmaking, Beyond Grantmaking, and Research & Advocacy. Grant funding is focused on women and girls, recognizing that currently less than 7% of philanthropic dollars are directed to programs specifically to support them. By supporting programs that create opportunities to improve the economic, educational, physical health, and emotional well-being of women and girls, then the overall quality of life in our community can progress. Beyond Grantmaking is creating meaningful change by moving beyond discussing issues into action – focusing on 4 areas of impact: equitable public education, fair & livable wages, affordable housing, and improved access to childcare. Research & Advocacy is addressed via several publications – The Women’s Fund Gender Lens Report (2020), Advocacy Playbook (2019).
The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem organization is making a difference for women and girls in a collaborative and far-reaching way to economically empower women into the future.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Hero Wakil is a woman working in Iraq in the field of human rights, environment and
women’s rights. She is the general director of NWE organization. She began her work in a country that faced many internal and external wars, genocide and extremist thought. Despite these challenges she has had and continues to have a positive economic impact upon women and girls.

From 2006-2012, she operated a center for women in Halabja province training more than 3,872
women and girls in technical sector occupations. In 2015, through NWE she implemented a project for female refugees from Syri and South of Iraq where she trained seamstresses and provided them sewing machines and related equipment to begin businesses; directly impacting 50 women. Another project provided work for 30 women sewing 1,200 cotton bags to distribute in an environmental project.

From 2015-2017, she with her NWE team trained 2,500 Iraqi women and girls in an English language business course and a course focused on computer skills. In 2018, Hero led a project training refugees to work in media and run a radio station. Since 2021, Hero and her team continue to conduct capacity
building for women and girls in the center of Halabja and the surrounding villages. To date, more than 4,000 women and girls have benefitted from this training – improved their ability to perform core functions, solve problems, and achieve goals.

In December 2023, she was awarded the Human Rights Recognition Award by the Geneva
Center for Human Rights and Global Dialogue. Hero Wakil has made significant inroads to empower women and girls despite challenging times.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Anna Taft has made a significant impact on over 100,000 lives since founding Tandana at 27. She has championed women's education, income generation, and empowerment. In 2010, Tandana introduced the Savings for Change micro-credit program in Mali's Bandiagara Region to support women's micro-enterprises. The following year, Tandana helped women in Kansongho create a cotton bank, providing a revolving fund for affordable cotton purchases. Recognizing the need for literacy and numeracy skills, Anna initiated the Women's Literacy, Leadership, and Enterprise (LLE) program, starting with 117 women in Kansongho and Kani. The program expanded to 79 villages, benefiting nearly 3,700 women with literacy training and 851 with leadership workshops. Anna's vision has led to the formation of 90 women's business associations, providing technical support and startup funding. Her work has bolstered literacy, promoted gender equality and advanced women’s economic empowerment in a region where the female literacy rate is only 10%. Anna Taft is making a lasting and extensive difference for women and girls.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Tadzie Madzima Tadziriph is the Founder and Director of Ignite Youth Organization. This organization has reached over 30,000 young people with over 70% being girls and young women, especially those in marginalized communities.
The Teen Moms program has equipped over 3,000 young mothers with vocational skills, entrepreneurial training, and reproductive health education. Her menstrual health outreach has impacted over 5,500 girls, helping them to stay in school. Her programs blend practical tools with mindset shifts. Her Courageous Conversations workshops provide safe spaces for young women to discuss topics such as sexual harassment and assault, mental health, self-worth, and reproductive rights. These conversations shift mind sets and prepare young women to handle sexual harassment prevalent in society. Tadzie is a multiple international award winner for her work and initiatives. Her efforts are empowering young women and girls and making a lasting positive impact.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Ms. Mervat Sultan is a pioneering figure in the aviation industry and the Co-Founder and President of the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter. A tireless passionate advocate for gender diversity and inclusion, she has dedicated her career to advancing opportunities for women in aviation and aerospace across the region. Ms. Mervat also serves as the International Ambassador for Women in Aviation International, proudly representing the Arab world. As a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Ms. Mervat is recognized internationally for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the aviation sector. With over two decades of experience in aviation, she has successfully led initiatives that empower women, support career development, and promote industry-wide collaboration.
Since establishing the Middle East Chapter in 2013, she has transformed it into one of the most vibrant and influential chapters globally, with over 1,500 members across the region. Under her leadership, the organization has launched annual conferences, mentorship and scholarship programs, and partnerships with major aviation entities. These efforts have created pathways for hundreds of women to thrive in roles as pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and aviation executives.
Over the past 13 years, Ms. Mervat has also played a key role in recognizing and celebrating excellence across the industry. She has proudly presented over 100 awards to outstanding women and companies for their achievements and for their support of gender inclusion in the male-dominated sector of aviation. Her commitment to honoring and uplifting others has made a lasting impact on individuals and organizations alike. Driven by purpose and grounded in passion, Ms. Mervat continues to shape the future of aviation—not just by breaking barriers, but by building bridges for the next generation of leaders.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Iris Stern-Levi has made significant contributions to women's economic empowerment through her leadership at Her Academy. By providing women escaping prostitution and violence with the skills and resources to re-enter the workforce, she has directly impacted the lives of thousands of women. Her Academy’s holistic approach, which combines vocational training with job placement and ongoing support, has allowed women to regain independence and build better futures for themselves and their families.
Under her leadership, Her Academy has trained hundreds of women each year, empowering them to overcome barriers such as lack of education, mental health challenges, and social stigma. The organization’s success stories highlight Iris’s commitment to not just alleviating immediate suffering but fostering long-term change in the lives of vulnerable women.
Her Academy’s programs have grown to include collaboration with major Israeli companies and international organizations, ensuring women have access to meaningful career opportunities. Iris Stern-Levi's work continues to inspire positive transformation, helping to break down the societal barriers that prevent women from achieving economic independence and social inclusion.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Precious Samson Wakili, executive director of The Girl Child Values Support Initiative (TheGirlChildVSI), is transforming economic empowerment for women and girls across Northern Nigeria. Through innovative nonprofit programs targeting vulnerable populations particularly those affected by insurgency, disability, and gender-based violence. Precious is creating systemic change at the intersection of gender, technology, health, and education.
Her organization has economically empowered over 100,000 women and girls across local and regional communities in Bauchi and Borno States. Initiatives such as STEMinists for Social Good and Educate to Innovate provide young women aged 18–25, including survivors of violence and women with disabilities, with skills in coding, AI, cybersecurity, and digital entrepreneurship. These programs equip them to thrive in the digital economy and become self-reliant community assets.
Through the Period in Crisis project, over 1,000 girls in IDP camps have been trained to produce reusable sanitary pads an initiative that promotes menstrual dignity while fostering micro-entrepreneurship and improving school attendance. Her Safe Health at Your Disposal program also ensures access to health information and services, especially for women with disabilities.
The upcoming Rural Market Space e-commerce platform is yet another innovation bridging the digital divide by providing market access and entrepreneurial tools to women in remote areas. Precious's storytelling campaigns, such as Allow Women Strive and From the Lens of a Woman with a Disability, give voice to marginalized women and mobilize global audiences to advocate for economic justice.
Her work has gained national and international recognition, including Diana Awards 2024, Humanitarian Awards 2024, nominations from the .ORG Impact Awards, Sports Impact Awards, and She Leads Africa’s Top 50 Women. Precious Samson Wakili is a fierce advocate for gender equality, and through her nonprofit leadership, she is building a future where empowered women and girls lead the way in rebuilding their communities.

10/27/2025

Congratulations! You are making a World of Difference! Maria del Mar Jaramillo Salcedo is recognized for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to the economic empowerment of women in vulnerable situations in Colombia. As the founder and executive director of Fundación Soy Oportunidad, she has designed and implemented an innovative model of non-formal education and digital training for women caregivers, focused on economic autonomy and leadership. Since the foundation's creation in 2016, her model has benefited women across multiple regions of the country, with a special focus on those historically excluded from formal education and labor systems. The flagship program, "Tripulantes," offers virtual training in emotional well-being, digital skills, employability, and entrepreneurship. Thanks to strategic partnerships with companies and social sector actors, the foundation has expanded its reach to a national level, impacting communities in at least 12 departments of Colombia. The foundation has supported over 800 women in their personal and economic transformation journeys—many of whom have successfully entered the labor market or launched their own income-generating ventures, becoming true captains of their own lives.