VIP Pensacola at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition

Saadet Özkan & Eve Skelton

Stephanie Karous & Laura Ericson

Jennifer Allen McFarren & Kristan Brinkley

Diane Kratochvil, LaRue Groth & Carol Osborn

Pat Cook, Carolynn Zonia & Tracey Tapp

Brigette Brooks, Myra Van Hoose & Jennifer Drummond

Valerie Aune, Patti Salvaggio & Toni Pentecouteau

photos & story by

Julie B. Connerley

O

n April 4, The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council 
(GCCDC) and The Institute for Women in Politics 
of Northwest Florida co-hosted a reception for 2017 
International Women of Courage recipient, Mrs. Saadet 

Özkan, of Turkey. The event was held at the Institute for Human and 
Machine Cognition, and included an “honorary citizen” presentation by 
Pensacola City Councilwoman, Sherri Myers.

Of the 89 Citizen Diplomacy Councils nationwide, Pensacola’s GCCDC 

was selected as one of only a handful to entertain one of the this year’s 12 
recipients.

The Award for International Women of Courage was established in 

2007 by the U.S. Department of State to honor women who are making a 
substantial difference in the lives of women around the globe. As the only 
Department of State award that pays tribute to emerging women leaders 
worldwide, it offers a unique opportunity to recognize those who work 
in the field of international women’s issues. Candidates are nominated 
by U.S. embassies and Non-Governmental Organizations. While some 
of these exceptional leaders have faced death threats and great personal 
sacrifice, their diverse contributions to freedom, justice, peace and 
equality for women have made impactful differences across the globe.

International 

Women of Courage

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