About Us

AWOE profiles the stories and work of twenty empowered women in Africa who embody the essence of leadership, determination, and innovation. The women share a common vision for human security, education, health, justice and peace.

Since July of 2006, nominations have been coming to us and we have began the reviewing process! It has become apparent that an underlying theme about the stories of these remarkable women is that they are change agents empowering their communities and countries.

For this reason, the African Women of Distinction (AWOD) project has changed its name to African Women of Empowerment (AWOE) Project. The mission has stayed the same, as have the web site, blogs and email address; we have only replaced

“Distinction” with “Empowerment”.

Neema Mgana, social entrepreneur and Amanda Koster, documentary photographer and media artist, sent a callout for nominations of African Women though hundreds of international list serves, inviting community members to nominate women for the project. Mgana and Koster have also recruited volunteers throughout Africa and the world (presently numbering over 100) who will mobilize the projects energy and message in their own communities.

The African Women of Empowerment Project will collect the nominations of these incredible women; select 20 and then photograph, film, and record interviews. Ultimately the project will consist of a book, documentary video and radio/pod casts telling the stories through multiple mediums of these amazing women. The media content will be available for as a variety of tools; exhibition, newspapers, screenings, tv/radio broadcast series, school curriculum, etc., tools that will inspire young people to make smart choices and realize their dreams.

Now more than ever it is vital to share the amazing stories of African Women.

This project will illustrate the realities of ‘real’ women, and thus dispelling popular stereotypes of women in Africa while also serving as examples of leadership to bring hope to girls and young women in Africa and people around the world.