Freedom House 2023 Annual Awards
Freedom House’s annual Freedom Awards were presented to Vladimir Kara-Murza and the women of Iran. The Hon. Michael A. McCarthy received the 2023 Mark Palmer Prize.
More than eighty years ago, Freedom House was founded to rally Americans in the fight against fascism. It was a long and difficult fight, but one in which democracy ultimately prevailed. We were not alone in that fight then, and we are not alone today. Our courage comes from the fact that you are with us.
To those who joined us at our 2023 Annual Awards, thank you for your presence and your incredible support.
Awardees
FREEDOM AWARD
Vladimir Kara-Murza
Russian Opposition Leader and Prisoner of Conscience
FREEDOM AWARD
The Women of Iran
MARK PALMER PRIZE
Hon. Michael A. McCarthy
U.S. Ambassador to Liberia
Program
FEATURED SPEAKER
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Nazanin Boniadi
Actor and Activist
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Shawn Colvin
Presenters
The Honorable Jane Harman
Chair of the Freedom House Board of Trustees
The Honorable Michael T. McCaul
Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Jason Rezaian
Global Opinions Writer, The Washington Post
Event Recap
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at its annual awards gala, Freedom House honored Russian political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, the women of Iran, and the Hon. Michael A. McCarthy.
Kara-Murza, a Russian journalist and opposition leader who, despite being poisoned twice, stood up to Vladimir Putin and called for an end to the war on Ukraine and sanctions on Russia. He has been convicted of treason and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Vladimir’s wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, accepted Freedom House’s Freedom Award on his behalf.
Freedom House also awarded a Freedom Award to the women of Iran, who sparked a pro-democracy revolution that has been embraced by millions of Iranians living at home and in exile abroad, and which has been met with a brutal crackdown.
The movement sparked by these brave women has the power to bring change that would alter the course of a nation that Freedom House currently considers to be one of the least free in the world. Accepting this award on behalf of the women of Iran were journalist Aida Ghajar and actor Nazanin Boniadi.
The Hon. Michael A. McCarthy, the US Ambassador to Liberia, was awarded the Mark Palmer Prize for his leadership in engaging stakeholders in peaceful dialogue, after years of civil conflict, which resulted in a free and fair election.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke about the current state of democracy and underscored the important role Freedom House plays in informing decision makers about threats to freedom, mobilizing global action, and supporting democracy’s defenders like Vladimir Kara-Murza and the women of Iran.
The event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Freedom in the World, Freedom House’s annual report tracking global trends in political rights and civil liberties. The 2023 edition of Freedom in the World revealed that, while global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year, the struggle for democracy may be reaching a positive turning point.
Dinner Host Committee
Ira & Kitty Carnahan
Connie Coopersmith
Rich & Jill Lane
Dave Marchick & Pamela Kurland
Cathy Merrill
Ambassador Alfred Moses
Bill & Amalie Reichblum
Nina K. Solarz
Joe Sternlieb
Miles Taylor & Hannah Hummelberg
Ralph & Bobbi Terkowitz
David Willkie
David & Lori Willox
Board of Trustees
Thank You to our Generous Supporters
UNDERWRITER
Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation
FREEDOM SUPPORTER
Dionisio Gutiérrez
Hon. Jane Harman
Thomas & Susana Kahn
Miles Taylor & Hannah Hummelberg
Karen & Norman Willox
TransUnion
FREEDOM ADVOCATE
The Honorable Goli Ameri
Rodger Desai
The Ginns Family
Motion Picture Association
Dr. Sushma Palmer in Honor of Ambassador Mark Palmer
Pan American Energy
Mason Slaine & Daniele Schachter
Susan & Thomas Staudt
Telecom Argentina SA
Robert Holmes Tuttle & Maria Hummer-Tuttle
Aegon-Transamerica
GUARDIAN OF FREEDOM
Anonymous
Ava J. Abramowitz and Neil Rackham
Accenture Federal Services
Carol & Ken Adelman
Kitty & Ira Carnahan
Connie Coopersmith
Charles & Julie Davidson
Mathea Falco & Peter Tarnoff
David L. Fogel
Jeffrey Hirschberg & Frann Lichtenstein
General James L. Jones, Ret.(USMC) & Mrs. Diane Jones
William & Sheila Konar Foundation
Richard & Jill Lane
Cater Lee & David Yost
MadWolf Technologies
Faith Morningstar & Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar
Tandym Group
Ralph & Bobbi Terkowitz
Carlotta & Wendell Willkie
David Willkie
HarrisX - a Stagwell Company
As of May 10, 2023
Freedom House is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to create a world where all people are free. We inform the world about threats to freedom, mobilize global action, and support democracy’s defenders.
