Arizona Foundation for Women has selected two-time Golden Globe nominated actress, humanitarian and author Ashley Judd, as its 2018 Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree.
Ms. Judd is known for her roles in highly successful movies such as Kiss the Girls, Eye of the Beholder, Someone Like You, and Double Jeopardy. And most notably, Arizona Foundation for Women is recognizing Ms. Judd for her philanthropic and activist work around women’s health, rights and equality, and helping those living with AIDS around the world.
“Ms. Judd brings to light in her work around women’s issues a topic many prefer to keep in the dark, deny, block out, ignore or simply are not aware of,” says Arizona Foundation for Women CEO Mesha Davis. “It’s hard to hear of a child, woman, or anyone, being sexually exploited or abused, let alone talk about it openly. We need dedicated individuals like Ms. Judd to take a stand. We need to say, ’It ends here! It ends now! It ends today.”
Ms. Judd will receive the Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort during the Foundation’s annual Awards Luncheon. Early sponsors include Southwest Airlines and VIAD Corp.
The Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to a woman who has distinguished herself through her leadership and contributions to society through her lifetime achievements, especially for work, which benefits women and families. Past honorees include Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Billie Jean King, Goldie Hawn, and Maria Shriver to name a few.
“Receiving the Sandra Day O’Connor Lifetime Achievement Award is an enormous honor,” Ms. Judd said. “Named for a historic pioneer and icon, I interpret the award as less a validation for what service God has used me to render thus far, than as a sacred encouragement to continue to strive for an equal, safe, and flourishing society in which everyone is valued and has the same opportunities. I am very thankful to the Arizona Foundation for Women for the opportunity to reflect on my journey thus far and the encouragement to keep striving.”
Arizona Foundation for Women’s mission is to advance the status of Arizona’s women through research, advocacy and philanthropy to ensure their safety, health and economic independence. Domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking are a few areas of focus for the foundation.
Arizona Foundation for Women Board of Directors Chairperson Kim Hartmann said “Ashley Judd, like Arizona Foundation for Women, provides a voice for the voiceless and often most vulnerable. Ms. Judd provides a path and courage for survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking who are often fearful to identify their offender. She also fights for equality and accessible quality healthcare for all women. On behalf of the Arizona Foundation for Women Board, I am delighted to bestow this well-deserved honor to Ms. Ashley Judd.”
Find out more about this event here.
