Helen Keller International, a global NGO dedicated to saving and improving the sight and lives of the world’s vulnerable, recently announced Yetnebersh Nigussie as the recipient of The Spirit of Helen Keller Award 2018.
Nigussie is being awarded for her personal journey of determination and compassion and the global voice she gives to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and inclusive education.
The 36-year old Ethiopian lawyer works for the international disability and development organisation, Light for the World, as Senior Inclusion Advisor. In 2005, Nigussie co-founded the Ethiopian Centre for Disability and Development (ECDD).
“Yetnebersh’s dedicated work is all one with Helen Keller’s life quest and her commitment to serving the blind and those unseen– the world’s most vulnerable. We could not think of a more deserving recipient of The Spirit of Helen Keller Award this year,” said Kathy Spahn, President and CEO of Helen Keller International.
Nigussie accepted the award at The Spirit of Helen Keller Gala this May at Gotham Hall, New York.
“I’m honoured to have been awarded the prestigious and inspiring Spirit of Helen Keller Award,” said Nigussie.
“Fighting for the inclusion of people with disabilities is my purpose in life, which makes being recognised for exactly that a dream come true. My heart smiles at the idea of being associated with Helen Keller, who is such an extraordinary woman.”
Inspired by being awarded The Spirit of Helen Keller Award as well as The Right Livelihood Award in 2017, Nigussie announced a new recognition this International Women’s Day.
“I am happy for the recognition I have achieved, but I know there are millions of other women with disabilities out there doing amazing things everyday – without the acknowledgement they deserve.
“So I have been searching for an opportunity to give something back to a community which is so often sidelined or made invisible by society – women with disabilities.
“That is why – on behalf of Light for the World – I’ve launched ‘Her Abilities’, an award to truly shine a spotlight on the achievements of so many brilliant women with disabilities.
“The main message of this award is: focus on our 99 abilities, not our one disability!” said Nigussie.
Her Abilities, a Light for the World initiative, inspired and driven forward by Nigussie, is the first global award celebrating achievements of women with disabilities. Able Magazine is proud to support Nigussie’s newly launched ‘Her Abilities’, award.
“It speaks to Yetnebersh’s great passion and deep caring that she is now establishing an award to recognize others. These amazing women with disabilities, Helen Keller and Yetnebersh Nigussie, who overcame obstacles and achieved such greatness in their lives, are an inspiration to us all.” said Kathy Spahn.
See more information about the newly launched award here www.her-abilities-award.org
About Yetnebersh Nigussie
https://www.light-for-the-world.org/yetnebersh-nigussie
Twitter: @yetnebersh_lftw
About Helen Keller International
Co-founded by our namesake in 1915, Helen Keller International is dedicated to saving and improving the sight and lives of the world’s vulnerable by combating the causes and consequences of blindness, disease and malnutrition. HKI is a Charity Watch top-rated charity, a GiveWell standout charity, and has received Charity Navigator’s highest rating—4 stars, for the past five consecutive years.
http://www.hki.org
Twitter:@helenkellerintl
Facebook: HelenKellerInternational
About Light for the World
Light for the World is an international disability and development organisation whose vision is an inclusive society where no one is left behind. We enable crucial eye health services and empower people with disabilities in some of the poorest regions of the world.
www.light-for-the-world.org
Twitter: @lftwworldwide
Facebook: LFTWInternational
About Spirit of Helen Keller Award
The Spirit of Helen Keller Award is the only award that recognises outstanding contributions by an individual or institution to the alleviation of blindness on a worldwide scale. Established in 1959, during Helen Keller’s lifetime, the award commemorates her unique legacy and expresses appreciation for her role as a founder, trustee and staff member of Helen Keller International. The gala will be co-hosted by celebrity chef Carla Hall and Brad Perkins.
For more about the gala: http://www.hki.org/2018Gala
About the new award, Her Abilities
Her Abilities is the first global award celebrating achievements of women with disabilities.
It is a Light for the World initiative, inspired & driven forward by Yetnebersh Nigussie – 2017 Right Livelihood Award Laureate & 2018 Spirit of Helen Keller Awardee.
The first winners will be announced on World Disability Day, December 3, 2018.
