In Venice, Hillary Clinton Is Honored at the DVF Awards

“Advancing the rights of women and girls is the great unfinished business of the 21st century,” the former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. “These awards give you snapshots as to why that is true.” She was speaking as the Guest of Honour at this year’s DVF Awards, a celebration of women whose innovative and inspiring work is making an impact on their peers, invited by the ceremony’s titular founder, Diane von Furstenberg.

The annual event—which has, in the past, welcomed everyone from Ruth Bader Ginsberg to Katy Perry into the fold—marked its 13th year in Venice in a gorgeous event held within Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, its entryway lined with a string quartet; its ceiling and walls adorned with Renaissance murals. The city, to Diane von Furstenburg, is a beautiful woman. It felt fitting that the event brought many remarkable women to it.

This year, the prizes were awarded in collaboration with Vital Voices, a non-profit organization founded on the principle that society can’t move forward without the inclusion of women s voices. Diane is on the board of Vital Voices, just as Alyse Nelson, its CEO, chimes in on the potential awardees of the DVF.

Lesser heard voices from the heart of current affairs were platformed most prominently, with three (technically 12) women being awarded the DVF International Award. On behalf of a collective of 10 Afghan women who’ve dedicated their lives to restoring gender parity and recognition in their home country, which is once again under Taliban rule, Shabnam Hassan Khan took to the stage, stressing the importance of art in fostering an inclusive society.

Highlighting the realities of climate change for the indigenous world, Chad-born Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim gave a bright and impassioned speech, crediting her father with encouraging her education. She is the founder and president of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad, and her technological work — mapping out natural resources in isolated villages.

On what was the first day back for schoolkids in her home country, the Ukrainian educator and impact entrepreneur Zoya Lytvyn was present, reciting a quote from her grandfather about how the only thing war doesn’t steal is knowledge. She is currently organizing widespread education systems for those in Ukraine’s war zones to ensure the misplaced and almost affected can maintain a good education.

The winner of the Inspiration DVF Award was American Oscar nominee Ava DuVernay, in honor of her valuable work pushing the dial with on-screen representation. She ended her acceptance speech with an Audre Lorde quote: “When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.”

Joining via video link was Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, who won the Lifetime Leadership DVF Award for her work as a woman in a male-dominated space.

The ceremony, which also welcomed guests and presenters like author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful OBE, was a galvanizing and necessary affair. One where glamour, albeit ever present, took a back seat, and the astounding women’s voices were gorgeously and rigorously embraced.