In 2007, the US State Department established the “Women of Courage Award” to give to women who demonstrate exceptional courage and leadership in supporting human rights, women’s equality and social progress, often taking great personal risks .

This year, on May 11th, the US Embassy in Bucharest awarded Simona Voicescu, the president of the Necuvinte Association, with the “Romanian Woman of Courage 2017” award for the courage and dedication with which she set up an NGO in the field of domestic violence within which she daily struggles against this phenomenon. From the very beginning, Simona started with a lot of passion and the conviction that “education, freedom and fundamental human rights are something that we should all benefit from.”

“When she realised how few NGOs are dealing with domestic violence, Ms. Voicescu knew that this was the area she needed to focus on. In 2013 she established on her own Necuvinte Association, and was immediately exposed to possible revengeful acts of abusers, as well as deeply rooted thinking about the roles of men and women in society. ” – Hans Klemm, US Ambassador in Bucharest

Along with Simona Voicescu, four brave and extraordinary Romanians, profoundly devoted to their communities, were awarded: Alina Ţucă, an officer in the Romanian armed forces; Violeta Dascălu, a teacher for 28 years; Sabina Fati, Radio Free Europe reporter from 1994-2002, and Letiția Coriu, anesthesiologist.