Bryant during her speech. (Katy Cox Photography)

At its recent Celebration for the Health and Dignity of Women held at Seattle’s Sheraton Hotel, Americans for UNFPA – the official U.S. support organization for UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund – honored Storm CEO Karen Bryant and two other leaders for their individual efforts to elevate the status of women at the local, national and international levels.

The Seattle luncheon was one of three celebrations held by Americans for UNFPA this month. The others took place in Minneapolis and San Francisco. All three served to raise support for funding global women’s health and rights in the wake of the U.S. House of Representatives voting to take away American funding for UNFPA.

In addition to Bryant, Americans for UNFPA also honored Dawn Lepore, the CEO and chairman of drugstore.com, and Yvette Mulongo, a health-care advocate from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mulongo spoke about her experience working to improve the care and treatment of women in the DRC at all three events.

During her speech, Bryant explained that while the issues women face in the United States are not as dire as in developing countries, they too are meaningful.

“In the U.S., there’s an equally important battle with respect to women’s equality,” she said. “Sometimes it feels like it pales in comparison, but we need to embrace our status as pioneers, advancing the possibilities for all women.”

More photos:

Bryant is presented with her award. (Katy Cox Photography)

Dawn Lepore, the CEO and chairman of drugstore.com, was also honored. (Katy Cox Photography)

Yvette Mulongo, a health-care advocate from the Democratic Republic of Congo, spoke at all three events. (Katy Cox Photography)

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