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Black Tie International:
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for
Justice & Human Rights Awards Dinner
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The Robert F.
Kennedy Center for
Justice & Human
Rights Annual Awards
Dinner
Photos by:
Sara Kremer
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Honoree, Wyclef Jean |
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Ethel
Kennedy and Sara Kremer
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Ms
Corinne Evens & Jacob Sabbagh |
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NEW YORK – The Robert F.
Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights presented
Bono and Wyclef Jean with the organization’s
2009 Ripple of Hope Award at it's Annual Awards
dinner. The award recognizes the bold leadership
demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian
issues.
“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have
brought the national spotlight to human rights
violations, empowered local activists, and
transformed the lives of millions of people living
in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said
Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice
and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of
my father and we are honored to recognize them.”
Jenni Williams, founder of Women of Zimbabwe
Arise and 2009 RFK Human Rights Award winner,
introduced Bono who was then presented the award by
Ethel Kennedy. Bono, the lead singer of U2 and
co-founder of the advocacy organization ONE and
(Product) RED, was recognized for his efforts in the
fight against extreme poverty and preventable
disease, particular in Africa ( www.one.org,
www.joinred.com).
“Though we're not usually that partial to Royals,
growing up in Ireland in the 70s, the Kennedy family
felt like an Irish royal family. Bobby Kennedy was a
super-hero, an Irish scrapper who didn't see any
contradiction between hard-headed pragmatism and an
idealism that challenged all of us to change the
world. That's why the Ripple of Hope award means so
much. RFK was the blue print for our activism in the
ONE campaign,” Bono said. “The image of Bobby that
will forever be in my mind is of a man with his
sleeves rolled up, hard at work and showing a hint
of muscle. His life is an enduring challenge to all
of us to do more, get beyond ourselves and send out
our own ripples of hope to the world.”
Loune Viaud, who received the RFK Human Rights
Award in 2002 for her work in Haiti, introduced her
fellow countryman, Wyclef Jean. Jean was recognized
for his work to strengthen and inspire change in
Haiti through his Yéle Haiti organization ( www.yele.org).
"It is an honor to receive this award for so many
reasons,” said Jean, who was also the evening’s
musical performer. “The Kennedy Family and Robert
F. Kennedy have represented and fought for the
rights of people around the world, and have paid the
ultimate sacrifice for it. I am humbled by their
work, and use it as an example in the work I
continue to do in Haiti, the United States, Africa
and around the globe. I look forward to working
closely with Kerry Kennedy and the RFK Center for
Justice and Human Rights in Haiti as a part of our
Yéle Center."
The evening was emceed by actor Peter Gallagher
and included monologues based on the play “Speak
Truth to Power” performed by Matthew Modine, Matt
McCoy, Joey Pantoliano and Gloria Reuben. There was
also a special tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy,
who served as a member of the RFK Board of Directors
from 1968 until his passing this year.
Other guests included Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,
Governor Jon Corzine, Harry Belafonte, Martha
Stewart, Bill O’Reilly, Ana Ortiz, Aasif Mandvi,
Liya Kebede, Earl Graves, Terry Kinney, Rebecca
Minkoff, Charles Nolan, Richard Plepler, Tom Freston
and
Orin Kramer.
The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of
“Redemption Song” by Wyclef and Bono, and a
performance of “Carnival” by Wyclef that brought the
entire crowd of over 800 people – including Ethel
Kennedy – to their feet singing and dancing.
The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights is a
non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the
human rights movement through innovative support to
human rights defenders around the world. With an
over forty-year track record of attaining concrete
results on cutting-edge social justice issues, the
RFK Center carries forward Robert F. Kennedy’s
vision of a more just and peaceful world. To learn
more about the RFK Center, please visit
www.rfkcenter.org
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