Whether in a professional or voluntary capacity, as a politician or activist, on a greater or lesser scale – as a way of marking International Women's Day on 8 March, we would like to introduce you to eight women who are shaping Europe. What they all have in common is that they have already been awarded European prizes for their commitment.
Danish-born Margrethe Vestager has been the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age since 2019 prior to which she served as the EU Commissioner for Competition from 2014 to 2019. Vestager champions fair competition and consumer protection and is not afraid to take on big tech companies in the process. Among other awards, Vestager received the "Women of Europe Award" for her commitment and assertiveness.
Jenny Rasche founded the association "Kinderhilfe für Siebenbürgen e.V.", which supports Roma families in Romania. The Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Europe. The German social worker is laying a foundation for these people to participate in social life by providing educational support, food aid, and improving their housing situation. In this way, Jenny Rasche is also making a contribution towards European integration, for which she received the "Women of Europe Award" in 2021.
Former Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini served as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019. An important concern for her in this position was the promotion of women. Working with the United Nations, Mogherini established the "Spotlight Initiative", a programme aimed at ending violence against women and girls. In 2017, Mogherini received the "Women of Europe Award" from the European Movement International and the European Women's Lobby for her commitment.
British artist and activist Madeleina Kay uses her creativity to communicate European values through music, art, and literature. She promotes European integration through her songs at events and festivals all over Europe. She has written and illustrated several books on European political issues such as migration, Brexit, and environmental protection. Among others, Madeleina Kay received the "Young European of the Year Award" and the "Jugendkarlspreis" for her creative approach to promoting the European community.
Dr Adriana Lettrari's commitment to European politics grew out of her own experience as a "Wendekind" i.e., part of a generation that was born in the GDR but grew up in a united Europe. Working through the "Netzwerk 3te Generation Ost" (3rd Generation East Network), Lettrari wants to mobilise this generation as mediators between East and West in order to find joint answers to European questions about the future. She sees the different socialisation experiences in East and West Germany as an opportunity – also for Europe as a whole. In recognition of her professional and voluntary commitment, she was awarded the title "Woman of Europe" by the European Movement Germany in 2016 and received the "Women of Europe Award" in 2017.
The young Bulgarian Mariya Atanasova campaigns against discrimination against minorities in Europe. As a Romni, Mariya Atanasova has herself experienced discrimination, which is why she mentors young people from ethnic minorities in particular, helping them to become politically active and thus more visible in society. Mariya Atanasova received the "Young European of the Year Award" and the "Women of Europe Award".
Romanian lawyer Laura Codruța Kövesi has a clear goal, which is to fight corruption. As the head of Romania's top anti-corruption agency, she worked to achieve this from 2013 to 2018. She has headed up the recently established European Public Prosecutor's Office since 2021. In her role as European Attorney General, she is at the forefront of upholding the rule of law in Europe. Laura Codruța Kövesi received the 2019 "Women of Europe Award" in recognition of her commitment to European values.