EmpowerHER Forum Held Alongside CSW68 at the United Nations
On March 18th, 2024, New York time, the first EmpowerHER Forum, co-hosted by World Madam Foundation and STOP (Stop Trafficking of People) and organized by World Madam Group, was grandly held in the Delegate’s Dining Room at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The forum aims to encourage and support female entrepreneurs and to promote gender equality. The forum brought together United Nations officials, some permanent ambassadors to the United Nations, renowned investors, cultural elites, and women entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by women in entrepreneurship.
At the forum, Edward Mermelstein, the representative of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner from the Office for International Affairs, delivered an address on behalf of the mayor, congratulating the forum and sharing the progress made by New York City in promoting gender equality, as well as some thoughts and plans for achieving gender equality goals in the future.
Important guests attending the meeting included Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations; Sophia Tesfamariam, Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations; Harry Edelson, a legend in the fields of technology and finance; President of Premier Event Management, Inc. Charles Sullivan, Director of the UN Chinese Department Chen Zhongliang, Chief Statistician of the UN Development Programme Zhang Yanchun, and leaders from New York University, among 200 distinguished guests. Global investment master Jim Rogers, Diplomats from the French and Pakistani Permanent Missions to the United Nations, and many well-known individuals and organizations expressed their support and congratulations to the meeting.
Harry Edelson shared insights on the challenges and solutions that female entrepreneurs might face, emphasizing the key role of gender equality in innovation and development. Charles Sullivan shared his stories, including planning Michael Jackson’s global tour.
Anni Huang, founder of the EmpowerHER Forum and the World Madam global brand, expressed her hope that EmpowerHER Forum would become a platform to empower women and contribute to global progress. She stated, “As Gloria Steinem said, women’s stories are at the heart of history. Let’s join hands to create an equal and harmonious future.”
Guest speakers also included Dr. Takchio Cheong, founder of the World TCM Anti-Cancer Foundation, Si Wai Ng, Chairwomen of the Wisdom International Education Group, Jasmine Li, World Madam 2022 Global Champion, Dr. Ellen Qiongzhao. Schicktanz, Vice President of the Rodin International Artists Foundation, Dr. Helen Hsieh, MD, founder of Vibrance BPC, and Julia Xiao, World Miss 2024 Audience Choice Champion and youth representative of the World Peace Ambassador.
At parallel forum session, organizers invited World Madam winners and influential figures for discussions, including Lili Han, World Madam 2022 Global Champion, Sepideh Behboudi, World Madam 2023 Global Champion, and Celestine Liangzi Liu, World Madam 2021 Global Runner-up, Zaozao Yu, 2021 World Madam Global Champion; Doris Weili Duan-Young, 2023 World Madam Global Overall Runner-Up; among other distinguished individuals.
At the parallel forum session, World Junior 2024 Overall Champion, Pemala Khar, World Junior 2024 Audience Choice Champion, Tiffany Chen, World Miss 2024 Overall Champion, Michelle Joann Ahl, and World Miss 2024 Audience Choice Overall Champion, Julia Xiao, shared their perspectives on gender equality and achieving their life goals, offering insights from both a child’s and a young woman’s point of view.
The forum was supported by many internationally renowned institutions and brands, including Xiamen C&D Enterprise Co., Ltd., under the Fortune 500 company, Hollywood Culture Media Group, the MRS·WORLD brand, Vibrance BPC, the Wisdom International Education Group, New York Deyutang TCM Hospital, THE 1 WINE, ACUIDERM, and LOVE MI YOGURT , Zao Learning Education, “Seven Days Bloom” antibacterial gel, among others. The forum aims to promote gender equality in the entrepreneurial ecosystem through open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and cooperation, and to create a more inclusive and equal entrepreneurial environment for women worldwide.
Preparations for EmpowerHER forums in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia are currently underway simultaneously.
2024 EmpowerHER Global Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum Inaugural Winners Revealed!
Women’s Leadership Excellence Award
Specially awarded to women leaders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and influence.
WINNER:
MARÍA FERNANDA ESPINOSA GARCÉS|President of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
Jasmine Li | 2022 WORLD MADAM Global overall champion| The Founder of Pure Natural Pasture of New Zealand
Women’s Equality Advocacy Award
This award aims to recognize women who advocate for gender equality and women’s rights, especially those who have achieved significant accomplishments in advocacy and legislation.
WINNER:
CELHIA DE LAVARENE | The Founder of STOP
3.Women’s Education Contribution Award
Presented to women who have made outstanding contributions in the field of education, especially those who have promoted women’s education and career development.
WINNER:
NG SI WAI |Chairwoman of Wisdom international Education Group of HongKong
World Arts and Culture Achievement Award
This award is designed to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional talent and creativity in the arts and culture sector, and have made a significant impact on society and culture.
WINNER:
SCHICKTANZ QIONGZHAO | Vice President of the International Artists Foundation Rodin
LIANGXING TANG | Famous Pipa Performer, Educator, Artistic Advisor of China Pipa Association,Honorary Director of World Madam Art Institute.
World TCM Anti-Cancer Contribution Award
This award recognizes individuals or teams for exceptional contributions to combating cancer through traditional Chinese medicine, including innovative achievements in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and research.
WINNER:
TAK CHIO CHEONG | President of the International Chinese Medicine Cancer Foundation
WEI CHAO ZHANG | President of DEYUTANG Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Women’s Technology Innovation Award
This award aims to recognize women who innovate and drive industry development in the field of technology, encouraging their participation and achievements in the tech industry.
WINNER:
HELEN CHIH-HUA HSIEH | the Founder of Vibrance BPC
Women’s Philanthropic Excellence Award
This award aims to recognize those who have made significant contributions in the field of charity, especially philanthropists dedicated to improving the welfare of women and children.
WINNER
HE XIA CHEN | World Madam Global Acceriditation Officer| President of HollyWood Culture Media Group
Women’s Peace Ambassador Award
LILI HAN|WORLD MADAM 2022 GLOBAL OVERALL CHAMPION
JASMINE LI|WORLD MADAM 2022 GLOBAL OVERALL CHAMPION
HELEN CHIH-HUA HSIEH|THE FOUNDER OF VIBRANCE BPC
SEPIDEH BEHBOUDI|WORLD MADAM 2023 GLOBAL OVERALL CHAMPION
LIANGZI LIU|WORLD MADAM 2021 AUDIENCE CHOICE GLOBAL RUNNER-UP
ZAOZAO YU|WORLD MADAM 2021 AUDIENCE CHOICE GLOBAL CHAMPION
DORIS WEILI DUAN-YOUNG|WORLD MADAM 2023 AUDIENCE CHOICE GLOBAL RUNNER-UP
PASCALE VERRIER ELIE|WORLD MADAM 2023 GLOBAL MOST INFLUENTIAL MADAM
ANNA CHEN|WORLD MADAM 2022 GLOBAL OVERALL 2nd RUNNER-UP
JOSH MORELAND|SINGER INTERNATIONAL RECORDER
LIBO LI | WORLD MADAM CEO IN SICHUAN CHINA
DONG AN | WORLD MADAM 2023 GLOBAL MOST INFLUENTIAL MADAM
XUE FEN MO | WORLD MADAM CEO IN NEW ZEALAND
PEMALA KHAR | WORLD JUNIOR 2024 USA OVERALL CHAMPION
TIFFANY CHEN | WORLD JUNIOR 2024 USA AUDIENCE CHOICE CHAMPION
MICHELLE JOANN AHL | WORLD MISS 2024 USA OVERALL CHAMPION
JULIA XIAO | WORLD MISS 2024 USA AUDIENCE CHOICE CHAMPION
ZHUOXI PENG | OUTSTANDING REPRESENTATIVE OF FAMILY MEMBERS OF AUTISTIC PATIENTS
This award is dedicated to people who have been instrumental in peace-building, conflict resolution, and making significant contributions to global peace .
Co-branded Appreciation Certificates
- I – MUSES FOUNDATION
- THE ASIAN CULTURAL SYMPHONY OF USA.
- ZAO LEARNING EDUCATION
- GLOBAL HERO FOUNDATION
- ANGEL WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLC
- HOLLYWOOD CULTURE MEDIA GROUP
- WISDOM INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
- INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR TCM
- INTERNATIONAL STRATEGISTS ALLIANCE（ISA）
- STOP TRAFFICKING OF PEOPLE (STOP)
- THE CHINA URBAN BRAND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- STUDY IN CHINA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
- CELEBRITY MEDIA FOUNDATION
Certificates of Appreciation for Brand Support
- REJUVENATE
- MRS.WORLD
- VIBRANCE BPC
- THE 1 WINE
- ACUIDERM
- LOVE MI YOGURT
