Women for Women International Wins Mildred Robbins Leet Award for the Advancement of Women

On May 19th, 2004, Women for Women International received InterAction’s Mildred Robbins Leet Award for the Advancement of Women. InterAction, one of the largest associations of U.S.-based international non-profit organizations, established the Mildred Robbins Leet Award in 1995 to recognize agencies that have worked toward greater gender equity in programs and management.

“This award is a great honor,” said President and Founder Zainab Salbi, “since it is given to us by our peers in recognition of our work for women who have survived incredible hardships. It is for them that I accept this award.”

Women for Women International was acknowledged for its exemplary focus on the importance of women in the development and reconstruction process, through its programs which provide women survivors of war and civil strife with the tools and resources they need to move from victim to survivor to active, self-sufficient citizens. Since its inception in 1993, Women for Women International helped more than 27,000 women and has distributed over $14 million in direct aid and microcredit loans.

Women for Women International’s rights-based approach provides women with direct aid, rights awareness and leadership training, vocational skills training and income-generation support to ensure women have the knowledge they need to be an active part of reconstructing their lives, families and communities after war and conflict.


The organization was recognized not only for its programmatic focus on women, but also for its organizational focus of strengthening local women-centered NGOs and providing leadership opportunities for women in post-conflict societies.

Women for Women International shared the 2004 Mildred Robbins Leet Award with Care International. Past recipients of the award include Oxfam America, Save the Children and Heifer International Project.