Diane von Furstenberg celebrated the 15th anniversary of The Diller-von Furstenberg Awards, honouring extraordinary women who have dedicated their lives to transforming the lives of others.
The star-studded event, held on August 29, 2024, at Tese Cinquecentesche, Arsenale in Venice, Italy, recognized six outstanding women for their remarkable contributions to social justice, women’s empowerment, and global advocacy.
Honouring Extraordinary Women
The DVF Awards were founded to recognize and support women who have demonstrated leadership, strength, and courage in their efforts to empower other women.
This year, Diane von Furstenberg partnered with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to celebrate the 15th anniversary by awarding additional grants to five past honorees, further supporting their ongoing work.
The grant recipients included Susan Burton, Founder of A New Way of Life Reentry Project; Nadia Murad, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Founder of Nadia’s Initiative; Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya, Founder and President of Kakenya’s Dream; Maria Pacheco, Co-founder and President of Wakami Global; and Veronika Scott, Founder and CEO of the Empowerment Plan.
Reflecting on the significance of the awards, von Furstenberg stated, “It is a great privilege to know and to honour these incredible women who have the courage to fight, the strength to survive, and the leadership to inspire. This is a special milestone, the 15th anniversary, and I am so happy to celebrate in Venice, a city that is close to my heart and is herself an extraordinary woman.”
The 2024 DVF Awards Honorees
The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ardern is celebrated for her leadership in addressing domestic terrorism, environmental issues, and women’s empowerment. During her tenure, New Zealand achieved gender parity in parliament and on government boards, decriminalized abortion, and extended parental leave. She remains a Special Envoy for the Christchurch Call and serves on the board of The Earthshot Prize.
Yael Admi
Co-founder of Women Wage Peace, a movement advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through women's participation in peace negotiations. Women Wage Peace was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024, along with its partner organization, Women of the Sun.
Reem Al-Hajajreh
Co-founder and Director of Women of the Sun, a Palestinian women’s organization dedicated to peace and women's empowerment. Al-Hajajreh emphasizes the need for women’s involvement in peacebuilding and was jointly nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize with Women Wage Peace.
Xiye Bastida
A 22-year-old Mexican climate justice activist and Indigenous rights advocate, Bastida is a leading voice for inclusivity in the climate movement. She co-founded the Re-Earth Initiative, an international youth-led organization supporting climate action worldwide.
Alessandra Kustermann
Italy's prominent reproductive rights advocate and President of SVS Donna Help Donna, Kustermann is dedicated to supporting women emerging from violence. She has been recognized for her contributions to women’s rights, including being appointed Officer of the Order "Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana."
Her Excellency Mrs. Graça Machel
A distinguished African stateswoman and advocate for women's and children’s rights, Machel’s lifelong work spans from Mozambique's independence movement to international advocacy through organizations like The Elders and Girls Not Brides. Her extensive contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the UN's Nansen Refugee Award.
A Memorable Evening in Venice
The 15th Annual DVF Awards gathered a notable guest list, including Christian Louboutin, Edward Enninful, Sacha Baron Cohen, Renzo Rosso, Arianna Alessi, Gilles Bensimon, and more. The awards not only honored extraordinary women but also underscored the ongoing commitment to empowering future generations of leaders who are dedicated to creating meaningful change.
The DVF Awards continue to stand as a beacon of inspiration, highlighting the power of women’s leadership and the profound impact they have on the world. As the awards celebrated their 15th anniversary in Venice, they reaffirmed Diane von Furstenberg’s vision of recognizing women who lead with courage, strength, and a commitment to empowering others.
All image credits go to: The DVF Awards.
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