Annual dinner to be held May 3 at National Press Club in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC – The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation today announced that PBS senior correspondent Judy Woodruff will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Eighth Annual James W. Foley Freedom Awards in Washington on May 3. Neda Sharghi, sister of Emad Shargi, wrongfully detained in Iran since 2018, and Alexandra Z. Forseth, daughter of Alirio Zambrano and niece of Jose Luis Zambrano, both released from Venezuela after 1,775 days of wrongful detention, will deliver keynote remarks at the ceremony.
“We are delighted that Ms. Woodruff, Ms. Sharghi, and Ms. Forseth will be joining the Foley Foundation Freedom Awards,” said Diane Foley, President and Founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation. “Neda and Alexandra have been tireless advocates for their individual family members and for all Americans who are being unjustly held overseas. Their work with the Bring Our Families Home Campaign shines a light on the anguish that too many American families experience as we work to bring hostages and wrongful detainees home, using all available tools. And we are deeply grateful that the distinguished and groundbreaking journalist Judy Woodruff, who has done so much to lift these issues with her audiences at PBS and beyond, will be our Master of Ceremonies on this special evening.”
Ms. Woodruff said: “I am deeply honored to serve as Master of Ceremonies for this year’s Foley Freedom Awards. James Foley stood for the best, most courageous kind of journalism and the foundation in his name works tirelessly to continue the mission he set out to accomplish.”
Ms. Sharghi and Ms. Forseth said in a joint statement: “We feel privileged to be the keynote speakers at the 8th Annual James W. Foley Legacy Foundation Freedom Awards. We are simply two of the many accidental activists who work with trusted advisors, non-profit organizations, and the U.S. government to navigate the labyrinth of rescuing our loved ones. The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation has been with us every step of the way, acting as advisors, our sounding board, and our fiscal sponsor. We look forward to sharing our stories, celebrating the homecomings from the past year, and, most importantly, highlighting the important work that remains.”
The Foley Foundation previously announced that Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Richardson Center for Global Engagement Vice President and Senior Advisor Mickey Bergman, Executive Director of Syrian Emergency Task Force Mouaz Moustafa and documentary filmmaker and journalist Sean Langan will be honored at the Awards dinner.
To learn more about how you can participate in the James W. Foley Freedom Awards, visit https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2023foleyfreedomawards. You may also contact Amy Coyne, Director of Corporate & Community Relations, at amy.coyne@jamesfoleyfoundation.org.
