Guadalcanal woman Ms Apollonia Bola Talo Winner of the Secretary of State Award

June 21, 2007 - (People First Network) The Embassy of the United States of America in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea announced Ms. Apollonia Bola Talo, Director of Voluntary Services for NGOs and the National Council of Women, is Solomon Islands’ National winner of the Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage. US Ambassador Leslie Rowe will present Ms. Talo with the award at the Honiara University of South Pacific (USP) campus on this weekend Sunday, June 24, 2007 at 5:00 P.M.

The U.S. Embassy honors Ms. Talo for her exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights and advancement in Solomon Islands. Her achievements have helped to create transformative change within Solomon Islands and have set a positive example for emerging women leaders worldwide.

As U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice noted, "women of courage are standing up for freedom and human dignity, and the United States stands with them. We must not forget that the advance of women's rights and the advance of human liberty go hand in hand."

Ms. Talo has worked with the Guadalcanal Council of Women since 1995, serving as president for eight years. She is a long-time member of the National Council of Women. Since 2003, she has served as a member of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee for Guadalcanal. She served on the Peace Monitoring Council from 2001 to 2003.

Following the arrival of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, Ms. Talo worked closely with national and international leaders to promote peace and reconciliation between Malaitans and citizens of Guadalcanal. She continues to work in women's and children's affairs, to promote peace and human rights, and to advise women on their rights in areas of domestic violence, sexual abuse and child abuse.

From:http://www.peoplefirst.net.sb/NEWS/News.asp?IDnews=7881