The Amel Zenoune- Zouani Rights & Leadership Award was established in 2013 to honor exemplary leaders promoting women’s rights and gender equality. In 2018, the Award was named for Amel Zenoune-Zouani, an Algerian law student who was murdered by fundamentalists in 1997 for refusing to give up her studies.
The Award was presented to two inspiring trailblazers for gender justice—Irma Hererra & Julienne Lusenge.
About Julienne Lusenge
Julienne Lusenge is a fierce human rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A born leader and a relentless force for change for over 40 years, Julienne Lusenge has displayed a tireless drive to create peace and transform women’s and girls’ lives from victims into agents of change. After working as a journalist and witnessing extensive violence against women, she went on to found, and lead, two separate NGOs. Julienne’s efforts have improved the lives of thousands of women and girls—not only in terms of making their communities safer but also in terms of empowering them to take control of their lives and influence their communities.
In 2000, she became the President/Co-founder of SOFEPADI (Women’s Solidarity for Peace and Integral Development), an NGO working for the promotion of women’s and girls’ rights, sexual and reproductive health, and peace in the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). However, she continued to see a need for broader women’s rights advocacy, and co-founded the Fund for Congolese Women (FFC) in 2007, currently serving as the organization’s Executive Director. Julienne is a powerhouse, an advocate, and an activist whose strength and focus comes from, and anchors her to, the very place she is trying to heal.
Watch Julienne’s award presentation below.
About Irma Herrera
Irma Herrera, is a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer and solo performer. Irma’s solo play Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? has received critical acclaim from audiences and reviewers and explores themes of identity. Before turning her focus to writing, Irma spent three decades as a public-interest lawyer. Irma was a Staff Attorney and later the Director of Educational Programs for The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF). As a proud feminist, she served as the Executive Director of Equal Rights Advocates, a San Francisco-based organization advancing equality for women and girls for 15 years. Irma also spent several years in corporate law practice in San Francisco. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, given by the ABA’s Commission on Women in the Profession. Irma’s opinion pieces and reporting on law, race, class, and culture have appeared in national and local news outlets through her work as a journalist with Pacific News Service and New America Media. A blogger and storyteller, Irma created her Stairwell Teatro Series to keep telling stories on video while theaters are closed. She videotapes these short vignettes at La Scala — the stairwell at her home. Her blog/theater pieces are at irmaherrera.com.
Rebecca Hooley, Vice President of IANGEL’s board, had a conversation with Irma about her achievements and reflected on the work she has done to advance justice for all. Watch Irma’s award acceptance interview with Rebecca below.
Congratulations to this year’s Amel Zenoune-Zouani Rights & Leadership Award recipients!