The most anticipated panel of the 2nd Annual Vital Voices Festival featured women leaders who represent more than 25 years of Vital Voices history and our legacy of investing in, amplifying and connecting global women leaders who ignite movements.
“The most important power remains to cast your vote for those who you believe will protest your rights, ” said Vital Voices Cofounder Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton to a standing room only crowd.
Sec. Clinton discussed current events and disrupting the status quo with Northern Irish peacemaker, Dr. Bronagh Hinds, Gambian Activist & Advocate for Gender Equality Oumie Sissokho, Indian Human Rights Activist & Author Ruchira Gupta, and Guatemalan Social Entrepreneur, Maria Pacheco.
“We as women are not asking for enough,” said Hinds as she urged women to know their value.
Meanwhile, Gupta encouraged women and male allies to use their voice to empower future generations. “We have to break the silence around issues that face our children, but that we don’t talk to them about,” said Gupta, author of the new YA novel I Kick and I Fly.
The panel was moderated by NBC News journalist Zinhle Essamuah, with an introduction by Vital Voices’ Senior Director of Gender-Based Violence Advocacy Marina Pisklakova-Parker.
Watch the replay below:
Panelists Included:
- Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton: Former U.S. Secretary of State & Senator from New York, Co-Founder of Vital Voices Global Partnerships
- Ruchira Gupta: Journalist, Anti-Trafficking Activist & Author
- Dr. Bronagh Hinds: Co-Founder of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, Senior Associate, DemocraShe Ireland
- Maria Pacheco: President and Co-Founder of WAKAMI
- Oumie Sissokho: Co-Founder of The Girls Agenda (TGA) (The Gambia)
- Moderated by Zinhle Essamuah: Guest Anchor, NBC News NOW and MSNBC Correspondent
- Introduction by Marina Pisklakova-Parker: Senior Director, Gender Based Violence Advocacy, Vital Voices
